....can be a handful. Yes Paul, Tobu is trying to poo and pee all over the house. But we are training him, early on, to take "business trips" to the backyard. That's one of the things we love about Akitas, they are easily housebroken because they are clean finicky. In Japan Akitas have "national monuments" and it is easy to see why.
Alon, you are right, puppies are like kids. If only one could freeze time and keep them young. I am sure that your parents wanted to keep you as a little kid forever. I know that I look at my own kids and I wish that I could keep them little forever. But alas, time marches on.
The following is a poem that I saw soon after our Pepper died. Reading it, gave me a great deal of comfort. It can also be a tear jerker, so beware....
The Spirit of an Akita Dog
I was standing on a hillside
In a field of blowing wheat
And the spirit of my Akita Dog
Appeared suddenly at my feet.
She looked at me with kind dark eyes
An ancient wisdom shining through
And in the essence of her being
I saw her love for me, too.
Her mind did lock upon my heart
As I stood there on that day
Then she told me of this story
About a place so far away.
I stood upon that hillside
In a field of blowing wheat
And in a twinkling of a second
Her spirit left my feet.
Her tale put my heart at ease
My fears did fade away
She helped me know where she had gone
When she left me on that day.
"I live among God's creatures now
In the heavens of your mind
So do not grieve for me, my friend
As I am with my kind.
My collar is a rainbow's hue
My leash a shooting star
My boundaries are the Milky Way
Where I sparkle from afar.
There are no pens or kennels here
For I am not confined
But free to roam God's heavens
Among my Akita kind.
I nap the day on a snowy cloud
Gentle breezes rocking me
And dream the dreams of earthlings
And how it used to be.
The trees are full of liver treats
And tennis balls abound
Chew bones line the walkways
Just waiting to be found.
There even is a ring set up
The grass all lush and green
And everyone who gaits around
Becomes the Best of Breed.
For we're all winners in this place
We have no faults, you see
And God passes out those ribbons
To each everyone, even me.
I drink from waters laced with gold
My world a beauty to behold
And wise old dogs do form my pride
To amble at my very side.
At night I sleep in an angel's arms
Her wings protecting me
And moonbeams dance about us
As stardust falls on thee.
You picture me as I was on earth
Just before I died
The pain is gone I am whole again
Filled with Akita pride.
So when your life on earth is spent
And you stand at Heaven's gate
Have no fear of loneliness
For here, you know I wait. "
Original Author Unknown – Adapted For All Akitas Who Died Too Young