Perhaps you don’t remember the story about Anahi, the Akita, from Dogtown Heights. This big ole gal - over a hundred pounds of love and kisses – arrived at Best Friends in August 2007. Well, Tina Reynolds not only remembered her but also knew a bit about her past – she was responsible for transporting her here from California.

Last summer, Anahi and another dog were supposed to be transferred to an Akita rescue, but part of the deal fell through and there was room for only one. Tina wanted to adopt Anahi, but there was a slight problem. Tina had cats and Anahi loved them, but she loved them way too much for their own good! Tina struggled with this and tried to find a way around it to no avail. So, that’s where Best Friends came in and why Tina made the trip to Utah to deliver Anahi. Anahi is a magnificent creature and there were many who marveled at her stature and beauty when she arrived. However, many who loved her also had cats as part of the family, and it was frustrating to realize that this would just not work with this girl.

Anahi was 10 years old when she arrived and started out in Old Friends. However, her puppy-like nature won her a place at the Club House where she could romp with the younger dogs. From there, she was chosen as a CGC (Canine Good Citizen) student in order to help her move along a quick path toward adoption. Then she appeared in the March/April issue of Best Friends magazine. One of Tina’s friends told her she had seen Anahi's picture, but Tina had not yet received her issue. She frantically began searching the website for any news she could find about Anahi. She eventually found a lengthier news article about her participating in CGC class and immediately emailed her trainer. After getting an update on Anahi’s life here at the sanctuary, Tina could not sleep for thinking about her and immediately booked a flight for her and her mom to come visit her and Best Friends. She couldn’t wait to take Anahi on many sleepovers!

In the meantime, Anahi’s new healthy diet helped her to lose 20 pounds. Between that and her new gleaming CGC certificate, she was quickly adopted by Tammy, Bunny House vet tech, and her family. Tina was thrilled with this news and although she wasn't sure she would get a chance to see her, she decided that there were plenty of other wonderful dogs that would welcome an opportunity to have a sleepover with her and her mom. So her travel plans continued. She arrived in May of 2008, volunteering in dogs and all the while trying to coordinate a meeting with Anahi.

Finally, on the last day of her trip, Tammy, her family, and, of course, Anahi visited the Welcome Center. It was a lively and joyous reunion as well as a happy ending to Anahi's story.

Thanks to Tina for helping Anahi in the first place and bringing this wonderful girl into so many lives here at Best Friends. And special thanks to Tammy and her family for loving this sweet ole bear of a girl and giving her a forever home.

Written by Diane Grenda
Photo by Tina Reynolds

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