Alaskan Klee Kai National Rescue

AKKNR Board of Directors would like to congratulate our 2014 Volunteer of the Year recipient, Deb Grymkoski for her outstanding volunteer work.

From Deb:

I have been RC for AKKNR for several years now, and have never seen any "action" in my territory...until last year!  2014 seemed to be the Year of Colorado for AKK rescues.  My first rescue actually started in late 2013.  I was contacted by somebody who said that they had a male AKK, Miko, who had bitten somebody. They were going to try to keep him, but were concerned about liability.  They kept him through the holidays, where he supposedly bit somebody once again.  They tried to re-home him with a friend, but called me within weeks saying they were ready to give him up.  Since Miko had a bite history, my husband and I thought as long as he fit in with our pack, it might be better just to keep him ourselves to avoid any issues.  We picked him up in January and he has been a very good addition to our pack.  He can be "nippy" when he gets excited, but we are working with him to extinguish that behavior.  He is a bit bossy with our White German Shepard, Lilli, but otherwise has fit in well.

My second rescue also had a back history from earlier.  Around the same time we were getting Miko, somebody called me about 2 dogs in New Mexico that they were thinking about giving up to AKKNR.  Soon after, however, they said they had found a great home in Colorado who was going to take both mother and daughter.  Fast forward about 6 months and I got a call from the new owners saying they were having behavior issues and were considering giving up one or both of the dogs.  When we met them at their home, Cloudy (the daughter), came to greet us at the door (she is very friendly - an unusual trait for the AKK!), then proceeded to jump up and walk across the kitchen table!!!  This young family with several children were unprepared for the whirlwind they called Cloudy, and she was getting into everything, chewing and having accidents.  They decided to keep Mika, the mom, to see if she would be better behaved without her daughter.  I did not intend to keep Cloudy, however, my husband fell head over heels and would not let me adopt her out, so we ended up with our second adoption of the year!  Cloudy (with a chance of rain - as we like to call her) is a very sweet girl with some manageable behavior problems, but besides a few chewed up socks and towels, she has been a pretty good girl.  Her and Miko are the same age (5), so it is good to have a few youngsters in our pack again.

As if that weren't enough, I had a third "rescue" in September.  A shelter up in Golden called me and said they had a little female AKK who they called Kitty because of her love of kittens, but was terrified of people.  With Leah Ann's help and the magic of Facebook, we located her owner and she was returned.  A few months later I learned that she had been placed in a home with an older gentleman who just adored her, and was working to get her more comfortable with people. He told me he would do whatever it takes to make her less anxious, and he loved her no matter what.

Three happy endings in 2014!  I am so happy to be a part of this great organization, and glad that I was able to help out this past year.  We all hope that we never have to do our "jobs", but when the need arises, we jump in to do whatever it takes to make sure these babies find their forever homes.  I'm happy that Miko and Cloudy will be part of our pack forever!

AKKNR Board of Directors would like to congratulate the dual recipients of the Volunteer of the Year award, Jennifer Hsia Michaels and Catherine and Gilbert Lingle, whom are recognized for their outstanding volunteer work during 2015.

Catherine and Gilbert Lingle

In January 2015, AKKNR received notice of a potential rescue when an AKK was for sale on Craigslist.Catherine & Gilbert Lingle were not AKKNR Volunteers at the time, but quickly signed up so they could spring in action. Gilbert drove 1,000 miles round trip to pull Koto from his 4^th home where he was obviously abused and neglected.  When Koto was taken for Vet care, x-rays showed Koto had a dislocated right hip that had apparently been that way for a long time and would need surgery.  The Lingle’s sought out the best possible surgeon and drove the many miles to get him in for surgery, but when the specialist shaved Koto for surgery, he was found to have a staph infection on his skin and to be extremely malnourished.  Cathy and Gilbert took Koto back home and started him on medicine for the staph infection and to try to help him gain the needed weight for the surgery.  It took time for Koto to gain weight and even longer for the staph infection to clear up, but finally Koto was able to have his surgery and went through rehab.  On 7/16/2015 Koto was adopted by Cathy’s parents Darrell & Janice Kent who assisted with foster care and rehab.  AKKNR recently got updated photos from the Kent’s.Koto is living a great life now and gets to spend part of his time visiting elderly residential facilities where he steals their hearts!

Jennifer Hsia Michaels

Much like in Koto’s case, in November 2015 when AKKNR was notified of an apparent AKK in the Pasadena Humane Society, Jennifer Hsia Michaels was not an AKKNR Volunteer, but quickly signed up to do a Breed ID and get the dog pulled from the Pasadena Humane Society.Chips (the name given by AKKNR) came with a badly broken left front leg.  The shelter had only splinted his leg and didn’t plan to do anything further.  Jennifer drove several hours one way to take Chips to an orthopedic surgeon to make sure he would have the best possible outcome.  It was determined that Chips was only 6-8 months old because his growth plates had not closed yet.  The orthopedic surgeon placed a plate and 6 screws in his leg – but avoided the growth plates.  Because the surgeon could not put in the usual number of screws, Chips was on very strict and limited use of his leg – which Jennifer did a great job of keeping an AKK puppy under control.  Once Chips was released from the orthopedic surgeon, Jennifer still drove one hour each way to take Chips to her own Vet who has several AKK patients.  Also with Chips’ age, they weren’t sure if he had been neutered or just retained his testicles.  Jennifer worked with her Vet for Chips to have an ultrasound which showed it was the latter, so he also had that surgery and Jennifer once again had to keep an AKK puppy quiet for a few days.  During this process, Jennifer worked with other AKKNR Volunteers to make sure Chips had great care and fostering.Chips was adopted in early 2016.

Information coming soon

AKKNR Board of Directors would like to congratulate the dual recipients of the Volunteer of the Year award, Robin Carlstrom and Lori Stoltz, whom are recognized for their outstanding volunteer work during 2011.

Robin Carlstrom

When I was contacted by the owner wishing to surrender Kaiya, I was heartbroken at her story. It was clear that no matter how much the owner loved her, she needed to be in a different place.  The great Pacific NW team really pulled together - Leslie Welker drove over 4 hours to pick her up, and then we each drove 2 1/2 hours to meet to transfer her to me.  Working with my vet and getting wonderful support from the Board, we attended to some of her long term issues.  To me, the amazing thing was the diagnosis of her actual problem (thyroid) was done by a member of the AKKNR Board - from a picture! Kaiya is now settled in a great home, and is very content.  What I love about rescue is how everyone pulls together - our local team to respond directly, my vet who cared for her at great discount, and the Board supporting with advice, amazing knowledge, and of course funds.

Kaiya was part of our household for about a month, and settled in well with our 3 adult AKK.  We worked with her a bit on agility (my love!) along with my others.  I have loved this breed since we got our first in 2005.  Our dog Tuvok achieved his TACh (Teacup Agility Championship) this fall - and he may be the first AKK to achieve Championship level in any venue.  This breed is amazing, and I am honored to have played just one small part in Kaya's story.

Lori & Gordy Stoltz

Gordy and Lori have helped with the rescue in the past, but this past rescued puppy has put a forever dent in their hearts.  Gordy at the time was working for the Corrections for the State of Minnesota, and Lori ran their home based business, and took care of their many animals.

One week day while Gordy was gone out of state, Lori received an email that forever changed their life.  It informed Lori of a rescue in dire need of medical treatment and a foster home.  Lori drove the two hours to the twin cities to make a late night rendezvous to pick up poor Sibbey.  Sibbey was rescued from an Illinois shelter, and transported to Minnesota to Lori and Gordy’s pet boarding and grooming facility to be cared for, evaluated and treated for heart worm infestation.  It was a long, hard, but successful battle to keep Sibbey alive and well.  Many trips to the vet office to undergo treatments, operations, and vaccinations, as well as medication and special food diets, and lots of tears and joy mixed in as well.

Sibbey had a few other issues besides her heart worm disease; she also had severe separation anxiety and would pull excessively while on lead.  After many hours (and five doggie beds) they were able to get her less anxious when left alone, and long walks, she was able to overcome all three obstacles.

The final leg of Sibbey’s journey was to overcome the fear of traveling.  She HATED to travel in a car, and after many short trips, they headed across Minnesota to beautiful Wyoming after selling their home and business to start a new life in Wyoming, however she did WONDERFUL the whole 19 hour trip across many states, and learned to not be quite so afraid of traveling, which helped with her final trip to Colorado to her forever home.

This foster experience was a lot more stressful, harder to deal with, but was such a wonderful experience, Gordy and Lori would drop everything to help out anytime any where once again!

AKKNR Board of Directors would like to congratulate the first recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award, Leslie Welker, who is recognized for her outstanding volunteer work during 2009.  Leslie worked as a key team member in the Northwest, volunteering for Transportation and Foster Care for Rescued AKK, Kai.  She transported Kai across the state for a week long stay and evaluation at her home.  She took Kai to the vet’s office for his Health Certificate and Exam.  Transportation was coordinated with the BOD, and Leslie drove a few hours to the airport for Kai to make his 5am travel time. She  experienced her first dog air transport.  She had nothing but wonderful things to say about the Delta Cargo manager in Spokane, WA.  On top of it all, Leslie’s employer, Wal-Mart, matched Leslie’s volunteer time by donating to AKKNR through The Wal-Mart Foundation.

Leslie wants to especially thank fellow team members, Robin Carlstrom, and Bette Cook, as she could not have done what she did without the help of the Northwest group. AKKNR adds our thanks to them, and all the volunteers.  We couldn’t exist without all of you!

AKKNR Board of Directors would like to congratulate the second recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award, Jay Randall, who is recognized for his outstanding volunteer work during 2010.  Jay and his lovely wife Genevieve have gone above and beyond to open their home to two AKK in need this year, Taz and Takoda, in the midst of welcoming their first daughter, Katherine-Rose to the family in July.

Taz arrived just after Katherine-Rose was born, and was definitely a challenge to work with. He was an owner surrender who was healthy, had complete records, but was extremely fearful and aggressive dog toward strangers.  Jay drove 75 miles each way to pick up Taz. Cared for him, evaluated him, and after enough time had passed with evaluating his temperament, he found the perfect forever home in Arizona.

Takoda is a completely different story who arrived the week before Christmas. Without hesitation Jay picked him up. Was there ever a doubt? Certainly not! He came to Jay with no records whatsoever, a debilitating eye condition, is in need of socialization, and was saved only by the fact that both shelters he was taken to refused to take him because of overcrowding (one was a kill shelter).  We are grateful this sweet little guy has been blessed with finding his forever home with AKKNR as he is going to make a wonderful companion to come home to.

Jay wants to especially thank his wife, Genevieve as he certainly hasn’t acted alone in his rescue efforts. His wife plays a key role in allowing them to do what we do, which hasn't been easy.

The BOD aren’t quite sure where they find the time with a newborn, working full-time, a pack Alaskan Klee Kai of their own to volunteer, but we are grateful. Needless to say their dedication to rescue exemplifies their commitment to the Alaskan Klee Kai Breed and our community.  We certainly could use more volunteers as willing and dedicated, as they a rare breed.