Gum Drop dob 9/07, is a little dynamo. She was found running at large in a Richmond park. She was sighted several times, but managed to elude capture. Finally someone lured her onto their porch and she was taken to the shelter. She was wearing a pus and blood encrusted tshirt, and had a huge abcess on her throat. She only weighed 43 lbs...a walking skeleton. She had a severe case of demodectic mange, and secondary infection from scratching and biting. The shelter personnel were so taken by her personality that she spent most of her time up front or in offices. They contacted rescue and we took her one look at her happy face and said we would take her. Her mange appearred to be cured but she suffered a relapse. Demodectic mange is not catching from dog to dog or person to person. The mites live on a dog's skin much the same way that bacteria lives on ours. If the dog's immune system is compromised, as Gum Drops's probably was from the infection and lack of nourishment, the mites are able to dig in. She had a relapse when her primary caretaker had surgery and was unable to have contact with Gum Drop for a few weeks. She is currently being treated for the mange; she is not itching and has no more open sores where she chewed herself. We just want to make sure that this time she is completely "cured".

She loves all people. She has no "doggy" manners, but does like to interact with the other dogs..they are not so sure. She rides well in a car. She is small for an akita, possible due to lack of early nutrition. She won't be available for adoption until she is declared free of the mange mites and is spayed. She is a very charming companion who will bring light and joy into anyone's life.