Amazing story about an Akita Breeder
This is a wonderful story about the lengths that an American Akita breeder went to, in order to save a dog's life.
I had to hold in the tears..!
Posted: Posted Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:56 PM
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/blogs/dogdish/x493674557/Rich-and-Ticas-Story
Rich and Tica's Story
In 1998, I was searching for a breeder of Akita dogs. At the time, I was living with my parents in Larchmont, New York, a suburb in Westchester County, outside NYC. I was 21 years old and had grown up with an Akita, Suzu was her name, that my parents bought our family years earlier which had since passed at the age of 15.
Thanks to the internet, I was able to locate several Akita breeders in the New England area. After making arrangements with all, I visited probably 4 different breeders. My last stop was in Bellingham, MA. I was in town to see Akiko Akitas, and the owners name was Nancy Fisk.
I met Nancy, and several of her wonderful dogs, all beautiful and well cared for at her very well maintained home and kennel. One puppy in particular caught my eye, an all white Akita, not often do you find all white Akitas.
Unfortunately, the timing was not right for my parents to get another dog, and I was heartbroken, as I had fallen for this sweet puppy. Nancy assured me the dog went to a good home, and I in turn assured Nancy she had not heard the last of me.
One year later, I was back in Bellingham. This time, I came armed with a video recorder because Nancy had another litter. I filmed the mother and her young all playing in the back yard. I didn't know it at the time, but there in the mix would be my best buddy for the next 12 years.
Weeks later, when the puppies were old enough, my parents made the 3 1/2 hour drive to see the puppies and meet Nancy for themselves. In an instant, they knew that this was meant to be. The hard part was picking which puppy out of the 6 or so. Thankfully, Nancy did that for us after understanding the home dynamic we would be bringing the puppy to.
I drove up shortly after my parents had left Nancy's, ready to pick up my baby, a white and brown doll I named Tica. She had the same distinguished markings her father, Invincible "Vinny", had. She was a looker.
I had a friend drive me to Bellingham just so I could sit in the back seat on the way home to make sure my new friend was safe for the long journey to her new home. I brought up some toys, at Nancy's suggestion, that we would let Tica's mother play with so that the scent of her mother would be on the toys. I still remember what toy it was, a green stuffed martian, which Tica promptly vomited on on the way home in the crate (Nancy warned me that may happen too).
I had to jump through some hoops to get Nancy to trust that this puppy was going to a good home. References were checked, veterinarians called, and so forth. Nancy was not about to send any of her animals to a bad home, she made sure of that.
I believe I did my best to give Tica a loving environment where she had all the freedoms and leisure she wanted. There was puppy kindergarten, which she graduated from. She lost her first baby/puppy tooth there too....what a harrowing experience!
Through the years, things would come up, and being a nervous father, I'd be on the phone with Nancy, asking "Is this normal for Akitas, does she really have to bark at every dog?" Yes, would be the answer, this is normal. I called many times, and Nancy always assured me that all was well with my Tica.
There came a time though, when all was not well. This was [about five] weeks ago. My Tica was sick, and I had just gotten her out of the Emergency vet's office, having spent my last dollar, having begged and borrowed to the end. Tica needed surgery, she was suffering. The surgeons were at the ready, but I had no way of paying. I was hesitant this time to call Nancy, maybe I felt like I failed somehow because my baby was real sick this time, and I didn't have a way to help. I didn't want to let Nancy down. I emailed Nancy, and briefly gave her the scenario. Not one hour passed before my cell phone rang, it was Nancy.
She immediately asked to speak with Tica's primary vet, as well as the specialist who would oversee the surgery. I was a wreck, but I knew with Nancy involved, things would get done. After speaking with the vets, Nancy called me back right away and told me she was going to cover ALL of Tica's expenses for surgery. I was floored. I cannot describe those immediate feelings. This was the answer to my prayers, Tica was going to be saved! Gratitude does not come close to describing my feelings. Nancy didn't bat an eye at the cost. We are talking many thousands of dollars here.
So, with a plan in place thanks to Nancy, this all happened on a Thursday, I was to take Tica to her primary vet that Saturday for one last evaluation before surgery on Monday.
I was up all night with Tica that Friday into Saturday morning. She was not doing well. At 8am, I called the vet to say we would be coming in immediately, not at our scheduled 11:40 appt. I then called Nancy to relay how the night went. Nancy and I had a very difficult conversation. I would say it was the most difficult conversation I have ever had in my life.
My baby could not walk to the car. I had to have my wife and neighbor help carry her. I called my father and brother on the way to the vets office to have them meet us there, I knew they would want to say their goodbyes.
While I sat in the waiting room of the vet's office with my wife, one of the vet technicians came over, and said that Nancy had called ahead, paid for my baby to be euthanized and cremated, and that I would be getting two paw prints from Tica as well.
If I weren't crying enough already, such and act of generosity at one of my darkest hours just sent me over the edge.
I write this because I believe Nancy Fisk went above and beyond what one would expect a dog breeder to do. I believe, in my heart, Nancy went above and beyond what most ordinary people would do for one another. I feel she deserves recognition, not just for being an outstanding breeder, but also an outstanding citizen of Bellingham. I want the people of Bellingham to know they have someone special, they need to know that there are neighbors among them willing to go to any lengths to help those who cannot help themselves. Nancy Fisk is one of those people, and I am eternally grateful for her.
I apologize for the length of this, but in order to truly understand what happened here, I needed to say it all.
At the end, I was able to look into Tica's eyes, tell her I loved her and thanked her for 12 loving, selfless years she gave me and my family, and Nancy Fisk made it all possible.
I'm still so heartbroken its tough to even write about.
I went back to see Nancy [recently] with my wife, to spread Tica's ashes. I felt strongly that she should go home, to where it all began. We met two litters that she had running around. My wife got to meet Nancy, and we got to spend time playing with the dogs and puppies. It brought such joy to me, to be able to smile surrounded by some of Tica's relatives, and I was able to spread her ashes among her ancestors.
We brought Tica's toys, and her chew treats up to Nancy, who assured me she could always use more! I didn't want to throw anything of Tica's away, so it was really the best way to pass it on, knowing her things would go to good use.
I had to hold in the tears..!
Posted: Posted Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:56 PM
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/blogs/dogdish/x493674557/Rich-and-Ticas-Story
Rich and Tica's Story
In 1998, I was searching for a breeder of Akita dogs. At the time, I was living with my parents in Larchmont, New York, a suburb in Westchester County, outside NYC. I was 21 years old and had grown up with an Akita, Suzu was her name, that my parents bought our family years earlier which had since passed at the age of 15.
Thanks to the internet, I was able to locate several Akita breeders in the New England area. After making arrangements with all, I visited probably 4 different breeders. My last stop was in Bellingham, MA. I was in town to see Akiko Akitas, and the owners name was Nancy Fisk.
I met Nancy, and several of her wonderful dogs, all beautiful and well cared for at her very well maintained home and kennel. One puppy in particular caught my eye, an all white Akita, not often do you find all white Akitas.
Unfortunately, the timing was not right for my parents to get another dog, and I was heartbroken, as I had fallen for this sweet puppy. Nancy assured me the dog went to a good home, and I in turn assured Nancy she had not heard the last of me.
One year later, I was back in Bellingham. This time, I came armed with a video recorder because Nancy had another litter. I filmed the mother and her young all playing in the back yard. I didn't know it at the time, but there in the mix would be my best buddy for the next 12 years.
Weeks later, when the puppies were old enough, my parents made the 3 1/2 hour drive to see the puppies and meet Nancy for themselves. In an instant, they knew that this was meant to be. The hard part was picking which puppy out of the 6 or so. Thankfully, Nancy did that for us after understanding the home dynamic we would be bringing the puppy to.
I drove up shortly after my parents had left Nancy's, ready to pick up my baby, a white and brown doll I named Tica. She had the same distinguished markings her father, Invincible "Vinny", had. She was a looker.
I had a friend drive me to Bellingham just so I could sit in the back seat on the way home to make sure my new friend was safe for the long journey to her new home. I brought up some toys, at Nancy's suggestion, that we would let Tica's mother play with so that the scent of her mother would be on the toys. I still remember what toy it was, a green stuffed martian, which Tica promptly vomited on on the way home in the crate (Nancy warned me that may happen too).
I had to jump through some hoops to get Nancy to trust that this puppy was going to a good home. References were checked, veterinarians called, and so forth. Nancy was not about to send any of her animals to a bad home, she made sure of that.
I believe I did my best to give Tica a loving environment where she had all the freedoms and leisure she wanted. There was puppy kindergarten, which she graduated from. She lost her first baby/puppy tooth there too....what a harrowing experience!
Through the years, things would come up, and being a nervous father, I'd be on the phone with Nancy, asking "Is this normal for Akitas, does she really have to bark at every dog?" Yes, would be the answer, this is normal. I called many times, and Nancy always assured me that all was well with my Tica.
There came a time though, when all was not well. This was [about five] weeks ago. My Tica was sick, and I had just gotten her out of the Emergency vet's office, having spent my last dollar, having begged and borrowed to the end. Tica needed surgery, she was suffering. The surgeons were at the ready, but I had no way of paying. I was hesitant this time to call Nancy, maybe I felt like I failed somehow because my baby was real sick this time, and I didn't have a way to help. I didn't want to let Nancy down. I emailed Nancy, and briefly gave her the scenario. Not one hour passed before my cell phone rang, it was Nancy.
She immediately asked to speak with Tica's primary vet, as well as the specialist who would oversee the surgery. I was a wreck, but I knew with Nancy involved, things would get done. After speaking with the vets, Nancy called me back right away and told me she was going to cover ALL of Tica's expenses for surgery. I was floored. I cannot describe those immediate feelings. This was the answer to my prayers, Tica was going to be saved! Gratitude does not come close to describing my feelings. Nancy didn't bat an eye at the cost. We are talking many thousands of dollars here.
So, with a plan in place thanks to Nancy, this all happened on a Thursday, I was to take Tica to her primary vet that Saturday for one last evaluation before surgery on Monday.
I was up all night with Tica that Friday into Saturday morning. She was not doing well. At 8am, I called the vet to say we would be coming in immediately, not at our scheduled 11:40 appt. I then called Nancy to relay how the night went. Nancy and I had a very difficult conversation. I would say it was the most difficult conversation I have ever had in my life.
My baby could not walk to the car. I had to have my wife and neighbor help carry her. I called my father and brother on the way to the vets office to have them meet us there, I knew they would want to say their goodbyes.
While I sat in the waiting room of the vet's office with my wife, one of the vet technicians came over, and said that Nancy had called ahead, paid for my baby to be euthanized and cremated, and that I would be getting two paw prints from Tica as well.
If I weren't crying enough already, such and act of generosity at one of my darkest hours just sent me over the edge.
I write this because I believe Nancy Fisk went above and beyond what one would expect a dog breeder to do. I believe, in my heart, Nancy went above and beyond what most ordinary people would do for one another. I feel she deserves recognition, not just for being an outstanding breeder, but also an outstanding citizen of Bellingham. I want the people of Bellingham to know they have someone special, they need to know that there are neighbors among them willing to go to any lengths to help those who cannot help themselves. Nancy Fisk is one of those people, and I am eternally grateful for her.
I apologize for the length of this, but in order to truly understand what happened here, I needed to say it all.
At the end, I was able to look into Tica's eyes, tell her I loved her and thanked her for 12 loving, selfless years she gave me and my family, and Nancy Fisk made it all possible.
I'm still so heartbroken its tough to even write about.
I went back to see Nancy [recently] with my wife, to spread Tica's ashes. I felt strongly that she should go home, to where it all began. We met two litters that she had running around. My wife got to meet Nancy, and we got to spend time playing with the dogs and puppies. It brought such joy to me, to be able to smile surrounded by some of Tica's relatives, and I was able to spread her ashes among her ancestors.
We brought Tica's toys, and her chew treats up to Nancy, who assured me she could always use more! I didn't want to throw anything of Tica's away, so it was really the best way to pass it on, knowing her things would go to good use.
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