Could she be..... (guessing the breed)

So, I did some research the other day, and saw a picture of a dog which reminded me far to much of a little furry girl I know. So, I pulled up a few links about the breed. I started off with the basic article on Akitas: Akita (Wiki).

Some of the temperament notes sounded familiar as well as the whole "fastidious and somewhat feline in their grooming nature" thing.

Then I saw a dog on the Wiki which looked VERY familiar. It was called a Japanese Akita, so again, the research began, and I found the Japanese Akita Club of America.

I read about the Japanese Akita Breed Standards and then read about the differences between Japanese and American Akitas:  Akita (Japanese vs American)   Comparing the American & Japanese Akitas.

Top 3, Japanese Akitas. Bottom Left, Japanese Akita. Bottom middle is a golden retriever Japanese Akita mix.
Finally, Bottom right is a cream colored golden retriever.

 Finally I double checked the breeds who are known for having a spotted tongue, and what did I find? That both Golden Retrievers and Akitas are known to have spotted tongues: Dogs with spotted or blue tongues.

And here is the final Analysis.
Left: Japanese Akita, Middle: Leia, and Right: Golden Retriever.

Leia's 1 Year Adoption Anniversary and 3rd Birthday

 Well, can you believe it has been a year already? One year ago today Leia came home and stepped tentatively in to our apartment.

Since then she has gained some confidence and become affectionate to us. She talks a bit now and will try to call me across the room to pet her belly. She now knows how to sit, lay down, give paw, give other paw, and "pound it."

We celebrated  by taking 3 good walks today, one in the morning, first thing, another a lunch and one right before dinner. Leia found ducks hiding in a bush and was so proud of herself, but didn't bark or try to scare them away. The ducks were startled but seem to understand she wont harm them (Lucky Ducks!).

Bellow are some pictures from her walks.

















After Lunch Leia opened her Birthday card from my mom and discovered she got a gift card to PetsMart which will likely fund her green Dentastix habit. We made a cute video of Leia and I opening the card together.

Then, after dinner Leia got to have a "Frosty Paws" frozen treat. OH MAN did she love that. She did, of course, refuse to keep it in her food bowl and instead smeared in across the carpet but who cares, it's her birthday, she's allowed.

When she thought I might take it (because I was putting the bowl under her mouth to catch the ice cream) she tried to scarf it down so I just left her alone so she could enjoy it.

Then, she crashed like a ton of bricks, and Tom and I enjoyed the lemon cake I made earlier in the day. Notice who is out cold in the background. We believe this is her third birthday, and her first anniversary with us.

Next week she'll see the vet for her yearly exam and then later in the summer she'll get to experience the beach, possibly for the first time in her life. We'll be moving back to Virginia before her 4th birthday and 2nd anniversary with us and will adjust to a new home. She'll have to make new friends, as her Buddies Chief and Ellie Mae won't be able to come with us... She'll see a lot more of Mr. Henry and our families as well.

I am so excited for her. . .  

Happy Birthday sweet baby girl. 

Mommy Loves you!