We had been thinking of buying a dog for years. But it was never the right time.

At the beginning of 2003, we decided that finally we were in a position to care for a dog. Our daughter was now nine and realised that if we were to have a dog the responsibility it would bring. Walking, feeding, vet bills etc. etc.

Now we had to decide on what kind of dog we liked. I always like big dogs the bigger the better, where my husband wasn't too sure. So for months we researched breeds and the notes and came across the Akita. Then the decision did we want an Akita Inu or the American Akita. We went for the American because we preferred the bear face to the fox face.

We then started contacting breeders around the country and found one on in the West Midlands who was more than willing for us to go round to her home and visit her and her dogs.

Once we got to her house we were greeted by one of her dogs. She was absolutely beautiful. Husband was shocked to see how big they really were then we met a male. He's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He was huge.

By the end of the evening we were completely hooked even OH but we did decide that we would go for a Bitch instead of a Male. We then put our names on a waiting list.

In the September the breeder telephoned us to say someone had dropped out on the waiting list for a litter that was due in October and was we interested. It was one of Misty's pups the dog that greeted the day we went round. YES YES we were definitely interested.

On the 12^th December 2003, we arrived home with our 8-week-old puppy. This was a day we had waited for many months.