Akita Information

Just Your Average Akita

Kumo’s Story

by his owner, Cyndi Crum

Kumo was always a very special Akita but he also was pretty typical in his stubborn, I-want-it-my-way attitude, even as a puppy.

He adored children and was very protective of our daughter. In fact, he was a godsend with our foster-daughter who told me many horrible stories about her life of abuse and neglect. One day she told me she had a secret that she was not allowed to tell anyone. She kept telling me this over and over, so I knew she was looking for a way to tell me.

Kumo had a special fondness for her, and always knew when she was upset. He would follow her to her room and cuddle with her, knowing she needed a friend. I told her Kumo is great at keeping secrets, he never tells anyone when you tell him something and that she could tell him her secret. I thought this would help her feel comfortable about telling me her secret when she was ready.

One day she did just that. It was an unimaginable horror that to this day haunts me when I think about it. All I could do was hug her and cry with her and never want to let her go. It is something that changed her life forever and that will haunt her memories for the rest of her life. I really believe that had it not been for my Akita Kumo and his wonderful sensitive ways that this secret would have stayed buried inside her and would have surely destroyed her.

He was also the self-appointed lifeguard of our in-ground pool. When he was in the house and heard a splash, he would run and barge through my back door to get outside to the pool. I had a friend who would visit with an infant. When the friend was in the pool she would leave the infant in her stroller. Kumo would sit right next to that baby the whole time her mother was in the pool and when the baby started to cry and her mother didn't respond fast enough, Kumo would go to the edge of the pool and bark at her until she would get out and tend to her baby.

He was a certified therapy dog with Therapy Dogs inc. and enjoyed visiting nursing homes and hospitals but preschools were his favorite.

He was here to see my daughter off to her first day of kindergarten and he was here to see her off to her first formal in high school and greet with her kisses when she came home.

We treasure every moment we had with that wonderful dog. It takes hard work and consistency in their training and socialization but it pays off when the end result is being able to share your life with such a wonderful being.

Kumo 3-92 to 3-01