Dear Blustag.
I scoured the internet and watched every Dog 101 episode on Animal Planet. The conclusion I came to was that I wanted a wolf which was unfortunately illegal in Georgia. So I began the search for the most wolf like dog I could legally adopt. Eventually I found the Tamaskan breed and Blustag Tamaskan. The concerns I had were prey drive (how they would be with cats and kids), how they would be with other dogs, life span and health. The first night our older dog was nervous around her because she was so small. However, our cat thought Akela was her new toy and would pick her up by the neck and carry her all around the house. This was pretty funny to watch as Akela's weight soon matched and exceeded that of the cat. So much for prey drive concerns. Akela is unbelievably social. She and our other dog and cat will chase each other and rough house during the day and pile in bed together at night. At day care and the dog park, she is a star, ready and willing to play with everyone. When first at the dog park everyone was asking what she was. Now when someone new shows up I often hear other people saying, "Oh, she's a tamaskan." Sometimes they have even gone home and have done research and tell me something new about the breed -- too funny. Akela has been a blessing for me in many ways. A few weeks after she came home, through a freak incident I lost sight in my right eye. There I was with a life changing event and a small puppy to look after. It was a bit overwhelming. Having Akela forced me to get out and deal with the numerous people stopping to see her. Before long it also allowed me to realize I could still do everything I had done with two good eyes.
Two and a half years ago my beloved dog of almost fifteen years, Taz, passed away. After a year it was time to begin the search for my new companion. I scoured the internet and watched every Dog 101 episode on Animal Planet. The conclusion I came to was that I wanted a wolf which was unfortunately illegal in Georgia. So I began the search for the most wolf like dog I could legally adopt. Eventually I found the Tamaskan breed and Blustag Tamaskan. The concerns I had were prey drive (how they would be with cats and kids), how they would be with other dogs, life span and health.
The dogs looked amazing and my vat and I couldn't find any negative information on the breed. Yes they are full of energy and need lots of chew toys and need to be exercised regularly; as with any working dog. I later found that neighbors had met a Tamaskan while on vacation in Montana that was sixteen years old and going strong. So much for concerns with life span and health.
My concern with the kennel was with the number of litters produced. So, I contacted Kevin and scheduled a visit to see the facility and meet the adult dogs. It was a puppy farm with great facilities, a devoted breeder and healthy and happy adult dogs. We played with the dogs for over an hour and did not hesitate to put down a deposit before leaving.
Eight months later my litter was born to Juno and Tumble. The puppies were all so cute I didn't know how to choose my little girl. So I relied upon guidance from a friend in Oklahoma who has had wolves for years. She selected the pup then known as Josie. Her comment was that Josie looked exactly like her wolf cubs, down to the white tips on the toe nails. Adoption announcements were soon on the way to family, friends and clients.
When I went to pick her up she was even cuter in person. On the ride home, within the first hour I was puked, peed and pooped on and couldn't have cared less. My little girl was on the way home. Realizing she was very special I knew I had to come up with just the right name. It was Akela. This was the name Kipling gave the wolf in The Jungle Book series and is a derivative of Ukela, which is Latin for she wolf.
Taz, our dog that passed away was beautiful. She was offered national modeling contracts and was in a calendar. However, she never got the attention Akela gets. We live in a walking, in-town Atlanta neighborhood and we take the dogs with us everywhere. People constantly stop to comment on how beautiful she is and ask what she is. I have even had cars pill to the curb and the drivers jump out to see her. Last week I guy who appeared to be down on his luck stopped me. Rather than ask for money, he wanted to know if she had any Northern Red Wolf in her. On a recent road trip I was walking her in front of a Cracker Barrell while waiting for my cousins to arrive. When they pulled up there were a dozen people gathered around her. They were all posing for photos with her and asking about the breed and the breeder.
Akela has been a blessing for me in many ways. A few weeks after she came home, through a freak incident I lost sight in my right eye. There I was with a life changing event and a small puppy to look after. It was a bit overwhelming. Having Akela forced me to get out and deal with the numerous people stopping to see her. Before long it also allowed me to realize I could still do everything I had done with two good eyes. I highly recommend the Tamaskan breed and in particular Blustag Tamaskan. The kennel is on twenty-five beautiful wooded acres and even has a lake for the dogs to play in. Kevin takes the money he makes and puts it back into his facility. The new kennels are unbelievable and will rival those of any breeder in the country. Have fun with your new puppies.