Dear Pack Members,
I dont really know where to begin, but here it goes. Now,
you all know how I ended up at ARSF, but I guess you didnt
hear what happened after that. Well, last May, these people, Rob,
Toni, Ariel, and Snow, came to visit me. I can remember that Dorie
was really happy to see them, especially Snow. Next, Dorie took
all of us for a short walk. I never saw any of them before, and
I didnt know what to think them. I was really nervous. After
that walk, I had to go for a ride in a truck with Dorie and Rob.
I was so scared, but Dorie kept talking to me and petting me, and
that made me feel a little better. She even gave me a hamburger
for being so brave.
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A couple of days later, Toni and Ariel came back to
see me. They put me in a different car and took me for a real big
ride. I had no clue what was going on. I was so scared I clawed at
the door to try to get out. After hours of riding in the car, they
took me into a motel. The motel thing was such a strange place. Not
only did it smell weird, but the water dish was way too high for me
to drink from. I really dont recall much from that night, but
I will always remember that Toni kept talking to me in such a pleasant
voice it made me feel calm. Finally, I went to sleep. The next day,
we went for another real long ride. This time, I was able to fall
asleep. After that second day of riding in the car, I made it to my
new home in a place they call Pennsylvania. |
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I remember jumping out of the car and seeing two pens. Toni brought
Snow out and put her in the one pen. Next, she put me in the second
pen. Snow didnt like being in her pen. I didnt know what
she was so upset about. We each had a blanket, water, and some food.
What more could a dog want, right? Later that evening, Rob and Toni
came back. They greeted Snow and then me and then we went for a walk.
I could tell that this was Snows territory, and I figured that
was why she seemed to be ignoring me. |
After walking around what was later to become my yard, we went back
to the pens and played with tennis balls. I was having fun, but Snow
got upset because my ball was newer than her ball. I was just happy
to have one, so I didnt mind trading with her. Then, we ate.
I dont know what it was, but it sure was good! One thing about
this place- the food is great! All of this new stuff made me tired
and my belly was full, so I decided to lie down. I was content sleeping
in my new pen, but Snow didnt like sleeping in her pen. She
actually cried a little. |
Most of my third day was spent in the pen next to Snow. When evening
came, however, all four of us went for a walk
a real walk. Snow
walked Rob and Toni walked me. I really cant explain why, but
there was something about Toni that just made me feel safe. Rob was
OK, and Snow really didnt say much; she just kept walking Rob. |
Toni made me feel like nothing bad was ever going to happen to me.
That night, I got to sleep in a bedroom with her. I guess
thats what you call a pen for people. To get to the bedroom,
I had to walk up stairs. At first, I didnt really know how to
do this, but with practice, I learned how to run up and down them.
Anyway, that first night inside was a little warm, and I was still
settling in, so I didnt sleep that well. I kept wondering where
Snow and Rob were sleeping. I figured that they were in their pens,
and that was why I was inside Tonis pen. |
Now, about my name
. That first week was a bit rough getting
used to this new routine. In other words, I pooped a few times. I
know were not supposed to poop in our territory, but I just
had to go. It was one of those midnight things. Each time Rob would
find an accident (and they were big ones), I kept thinking that he
would get upset. One day, he didnt look too happy. Thats
when he asked Toni if my name was Myles or Max. I guess she couldnt
remember either because they kept talking about it. Toni said I should
be called Max-a-million Myles, I wasnt sure why but it stuck.
Later, they told me how I really got my name. They wanted to keep
the name Myles out of respect for the person who fed me when I was
alone outside in the woods, and that I traveled a million miles to
get to my forever home. The Max part came from another Akita who was
almost killed for pooping in his house. So thats why Im
now called Max-a-million Myles, or just Max for short. |
The days soon began to blur together, and the daily
routine became more familiar. I was still a little nervous, but life
in the pen was pretty good, and I actually began to feel safe around
Toni and Rob. Snow still didnt seem to bother with me too much,
though. She was great on walks, but when we got back home, she just
wanted to be left alone to sleep in front of her fan. Sometimes shes
a little weird, and I mean that in the best possible way. |
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Each day throughout the summer, Rob woke me up real early in the
morning. He would put me in my pen next to Snows. Next, we would
all go for a big walk. I really liked these walks. Snow and Rob did,
too. I walked side-by-side with Snow the whole way. We would bump
into each other and sniff all kinds of stuff. We even had pee competitions.
There were cold springs we would drink from, and there was a river
to wade in. Down by this river, there was even a spot for us to check
our pee-mail. Then after our morning walk, wed eat. During the
day, Rob and Toni werent around much, so we spent most of the
time after our walks sleeping in our pens. Thats when Snow seemed
the saddest. At night, all four of us would go for another big walk
and then eat some more. Thats when Rob and Toni would play with
us, rub our bellies, and massage our ears. I learned that Toni and
Rob actually had their own pen, and thats where I now slept. |
Rob and Toni started keeping Snow and me together in the house more
often. Thats when life got really good. Although we were occasionally
placed in our pens, most of our time was now spent in the house. Now
I know why Snow didnt like being in her pen. This house thing
was great! There were so many different cool spots in which to snooze.
Still, when Toni is home, I never want to leave her side. I always
feel most comfortable around her. I guess thats why she started
calling me her shadow. Around this time, Snow even began
to accept me. One day, she licked my ears. She likes to show affection
by licking, but I like to rub my muzzle on you. In her own special
way she welcomed me into the pack. |
I still like to sleep in Toni and Robs pen, but
sometimes I sleep with Snow. I had my own bed; I even made it nice
and comfy. But then Toni told me it wasnt safe anymore so she
got rid of it. I wish I knew what the problem was, it sure was perfect.
Now Snow gives me her bed, and she sleeps next to me on this thing
called a love seat. Sometimes Snow even comes upstairs
and we all sleep in Toni and Robs pen. |
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I still have flashbacks to the time when I was all alone. Occasionally,
I jump when someone walks past me or touches me unexpectedly, especially
if Im half asleep, but then I realize where I am and who Im
with. Rob keeps telling me that nobody is ever going to hurt me again,
and that I should hold my head up high. Youre an Akita.
he tells me. This I am learning. I now have a home where everyone
loves me, and Im getting accustomed to the things that would
scare me before. |
Snow is always here to keep me company and protect me when Im
sleeping, and both of us look forward to our walks to California.
Thats where Toni tells us we always want to walk to. Although
she doesnt like walking to California, we can usually get Rob
to come; hes easy to train. Now, I cant tell you exactly
where California is, but we must pass it when we go for our long walk.
We used to walk in the morning, but now, with the new schedule, we
walk in the evening. Snow and I sleep most of the day, but as soon
as Rob and Toni come home, we get excited and want to play. This play
thing is pretty neat, although Im so serious its hard
for me to be silly! Then we get to take Toni and Rob for our walks.
Sometimes, we even go for runs. Toni doesnt run to California,
but I think I can change that. Rob doesnt like to run that much,
so Snow helps me run Toni. Toni keeps telling Rob that Snow and I
like to run her butt off, but every time I look, its still there.
I wonder what she means by that. |
I thought I knew what life was supposed to be like; I couldnt
have been more wrong. I remember when I was content just to be in
a pen. Neither Snow nor I could have imagined a home like the one
we have or that people can love us as much as Toni and Rob. Neither
of us tries to think about all the bad things that happened in the
past, but we never want to forget all those people who helped us to
discover what its like to be loved. Every one of them deserves
an ear massage and eight cookies. Wed give them more, but Snow
and I only have four paws each to count with. We hope that all of
our friends find loving homes with people to walk and love. We hope
that when strangers say that they are such nice dogs, their people
remind them that theyre not just dogs, THEYRE AKITAS!! |
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Love, Max |
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