Laura Seymour from Virginia was driving in her car when she spotted something that she found worrying, and went over to check.
“I saw this little black and white figure behind the house. It was a dog and it was chained to the tree. There was no food in the bowl, she had dug a little hole in the mud and she slept there.”
The dog was a young akita, chained to a tree in a backyard by her dog kennel. As Laura looked closer, she saw that there was no owner around and it appeared that the akita spent all of her time outside. There was no food or water for the dog, and she had just a small space in which to walk from the tree and to her dog house.
Akitas are large, strong dogs so Laura was a little apprehensive when she decided to go over and say hi, and despite the dog’s terrible living conditions, she was in good spirits. “I walked straight up to her and she was the happiest dog I’d ever seen.”
Laura instantly bonded with the dog and stopped by three times a week to say hi and bring treats. The dog was overwhelmed with excitement every time, recognizing Laura’s car as she pulled up and jumping in anticipation.
When Laura called animal control, she was told there was nothing they could do.
Under the law, as long as a dog has shelter and adequate food and water, animal control has no reason to remove it. This made Laura mad, and she knew she couldn’t give up on her. She continued stopping by to check on her and top up her food and water. Every time, the akita was as friendly as ever.
Laura desperately wanted to take her, but knew if she did, she could go to jail.
“Even if I can’t have her, well I’m gonna go by and feed her cos I know hes gone…I stopped to feed her three times a week for an entire year.”
The sweet girl continued greeting Laura in her friendly way, even in the coldest temperatures of winter. After a year went by and summer approached, Laura was worried about the high heat. The fur of an akita is very thick and being outside in the hot sun of Virginia would be uncomfortable for her.
Laura made a trip to see the dog and took her mom along. When her mom saw the dog’s living conditions and considered the onslaught of heat, she encouraged Laura to call animal control one more time.
Animal control called back and said the owner had surrendered the dog.
When they asked her if she knew anyone who would be interested in taking her, Laura immediately stepped up to the plate. She took home her new friend, naming her Takia, and giving her the love and attention she needed.
“As soon as we got her home, she was so used to not doing anything all day long and all of a sudden she gets to run around…This is a brand new dog.”
Even in the face of the bad life she had previously had, Takia remained a happy and friendly dog, taking to her new home instantly. Laura could tell she was so appreciative to have a bed to sleep in at night, food to eat, and space to play.
Laura and her partner spoil Takia the way she should be spoiled: playing with her, hugging her, taking her out for long walks, and even including her in family photos.
