Gorgeous! That's what I said the first time I saw JoJo. He is an Akita mix and has that presence for which the breed is known. I mean, seriously, who could overlook this dog? The reason I have JoJo as "Nana's Perfect Dog" is that I think he would be a particularly wonderful dog for a single woman looking for a wee bit more security.  You see, JoJo is not just big ~ he makes people think twice.  He is well behaved and hangs out most days in our front office.  When someone comes in that he doesn't know, he raises his head and lets out a low "grrrr" ~ just enough to let them know he is there.  Now, between you, me, and the gate post, he never follows through, but hey, strangers don't know that, do they!?! Yeah, if my mother were living alone, I think JoJo would be the perfect companion.

When JoJo came to us, he had heartworms, a condition common in dogs down south.  He went through the standard treatment for heartworms (kind of like chemo) but had a bad reaction to it.  He lost a lot of weight, his systems started to shut down,... we thought we were going to lose him.  Judy called me just in tears ~ "He's such a wonderful dog!  I just can't bear to think of him dying before he ever has a chance of finding his home!"  Well, this resiliant fellow has pulled through, just a bit worse for wear.  He now is on a special diet ~ sweet potatoes, green beans and raw meat.  (that sounds like my grandaddy, all except the "raw" meat part...).  Laid back and mellow, JoJo is ready to settle into a home where he will be loved and can love back.  Please, could that home be yours?


Did you know that Akitas were Helen Keller's dog of choice? She chose them for their loyalty, intelligence and protectiveness. She's actually one of the people responsible for bringing the breed to the U.S.! She was said to have called one of her Akitas an "angel in fur". That's the perfect description of our JoJo.

1/20 Volunteer Update:
Jojo is one of Judy's calmest dogs. He walks so well on the leash, more of a strut, even though he is also one of the biggest dogs Judy has! He seems happy, just chilled out. Such a cutie.

1/30 Volunteer Update:
Jojo is amazing on the leash- AMAZING! He's also a huge softy and loves people lovin him. Everyone is always talking about how big he is (which he is!) but he's a cuddler. The mild temperment is one of the best qualities you can find in these doggies.

2/1 Volunteer Update:
I can't say enough good things about JoJo. Besides his wounderful walking manners on leash he always moves at a nice and steady slow pace. The 1st time i ever saw him was on a saturday. I was working in the back kennal and all of a sudden a younger teen volunteer came in screaming about the huge loose dog that just jumped over the fence. I had no idea who she was yelling about but i went running just the same. As soon as i went out the back door here was this HUGE headed dog just standing by this family with a goofy grin on his face. I grabbed him in hopes he would not bite me and went to take him inside to find his kennal condo. Once we got there he did not want to go in he put his butt in the air and is front paws foward and did not move.( In my head i'm thinking great he has to go in one way or another) so i yelled for a cookie to entise him. The girl that brought it to me said the night before Michelle had to pick him up and put him it. Say What? my head could fit nicely in his mouth but i said okay and picked him up and he went right in ~ all he needed was a little help. Now about month or so later he will go in on command still looks at me with the "do i have to face" but he goes in all alone now. JoJo does not need a house with a fenced yard even tho i believe if you stay outside with him he will be fine in the fenced yard, but as soon as you leave he is comming to find you one way or another. He is such a love bug and wants to be with his people. JoJo is a very calm couch potato; he loves all people big and small. His condo is never messed or dirty; he does not shed like you would think with his nice coat . He does however not like big big UPS-type trucks; he had a fit when one pulled up to the car place next store ( which are wonderful people). He started barking and letting that truck know he did not like them which i think is a wonderful protective trait. He also calmed down as soon as i told him it was okay. I better stop now because i love this dog so much i could write a book about him. If your looking for a calm, protective, housetrained, genteman then JoJo is the dog for you.

2/9 Foster Update:
Just wanted to give a little update on Jojo. He's doing a lot better then day one. He seemed depressed in his cage at the warehouse which is very unlike him. We he got to my place, he didn't want to go in his cage, so I made him a little doggie bed out of a blanket and a towel. He got right on it and rested. He is very house trained and wouldn't think to go in the house. Even when I slept ten hours, he didn't wake me, just waited for his walk. He is now very comfortable at the house, however I make him go in his cage when I leave the house because he loves the couch. He walks great, and three days later, I still haven't heard him bark once. I bathed him and comb his loose hair off every day because I have an allergic roommate and he's stayed very clean. he does seem to itch a lot, even after a flea bath and flea medicine. It may be something minor wrong with his skin. I can't say how easy it is to walk him and how nice he is. When I get home he wags his tail and goes on his back for a belly rub. I'm going to slowly introduce him to the neighbor dog with the help of my neighbor to see how he gets along with the golden retreiver. he got his ankles wet too!

04/17 Volunteer update: 
May not love other dogs but loves his people.  He could sit and be pet for hours. A very chilled out dog and wants someone to follow around and hang out with.

06/13 Update:
I was just chatting with Judy and she told me how late last night, before she went home, she decided to take JoJo for one more walk.  Now, this isn't exactly the type of neighborhood that a woman probably wants to be walking alone in at night, but she had JoJo so no worries, right?  Right!  Two questionable gentlemen came along and JoJo just kept his eyes on them and let out a long, low "grrrr."  They kept going, giving Miss Judy a wide berth.  JoJo's eyes never went off them until he felt they were well away.  Judy was thrilled. 
But here is the funny thing..... A couple of days before, a three legged cat got out of its cage during the night.  No one could find it.  JoJo is left loose in the office at night for security and everyone thought... well, you know what they thought.  Then lo and behold, who do they see sitting up on the office shelf but the cat, with JoJo giving him not so much as a never-you-mind!  Who knew JoJo liked cats?  Not us!  But apparently he does!!!  I love this dog!
 
According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Akita is native to the island of Honshu in the region of Akita in Japan, where it has remained unchanged for centuries. Today, the Akita is considered the national dog of Japan and is designated as a Natural Monument. The breed has had many uses, first as an Imperial guard dog, then as a fighting dog, hunter of deer and bear, for sledding, and for police, army and guard work. The Akita has keen hunting abilities and can even hunt in deep snow. He has a soft mouth, so he is suitable for waterfowl retrieval. In Japan, small statues of the Akita are often sent to ill people to express a wish for their speedy recovery, and to parents of newborn children to symbolize health. The first Akita was brought to the USA by Helen Keller. American servicemen also brought Akitas to the US after World War II. The Akita is docile, but sometimes spontaneous. Careful and very affectionate with its family. Intelligent, courageous and fearless. It is very willful and needs firm training as a puppy. The Akita is a first class guard dog. Japanese mothers would often leave their children in the family Akita's care. They are extremely faithful and thrive on companionship. The Akita is very aggressive to other dogs and animals and should therefore never be allowed to run off its lead around other animals. It should definitely be supervised with other household pets and children. Although the breed may tolerate and be good with children from his own family, he may not accept other children. If teased, Akita's may bite. Children must be taught to treat these dogs with kindness. This breed can be very food-possessive and willful. They are capable of ferocity, but with firm training, can make a fine pet. Obedience training requires patience, as these dogs tend to get bored quickly. The Akita needs to be with its family. It vocalizes with many interesting sounds, but it is not an excessive barker. It has an expected life span of 10-12 years.