𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼’𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿! 
𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙋𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙨 & 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙙…𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚
In the autumn of 2022, ARW welcomed Kento, a beautiful Japanese Akita Inu, into our care after he was found as a stray and taken to a council pound. With no history to guide us, we soon discovered through assessments that Kento would need a very particular home; one with no children, no other pets, and someone experienced with his breed.
That perfect match proved harder to find than we’d hoped. Kento waited patiently in kennels, watching the seasons change, until January 2024 when a suitable application finally arrived. His new adopters were heavily briefed because Kento had been in kennels for two years. Sadly, just eight days into his new chapter, his adopter experienced a shoulder injury, when Kento reacted adversely to a passing dog. With heavy hearts, we welcomed Kento back to ARW, where he waited once again… month after month… until summer 2025.
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙚𝙙 
Dave, a long time ARW supporter from Northumberland, reached out to let us know that his beloved Akita, Kato, had passed away on 7th July 2025 at the grand age of 14 and a half.
While grieving, Dave knew that his life and walks felt too quiet without a big, loyal companion by his side. And as fate would have it, Kento was exactly the kind of dog Dave could handle, experienced, strong, and ready for adventure.
Dave had the perfect setup, no children, no other pets, a remote home with plenty of space, and years of Akita know how. ARW didn’t hesitate, we pulled out all the stops to get Kento to Dave as soon as possible.
We’d like to give a massive heartfelt thanks to Dorie, Tracey, and Corrine at the kennels for their unwavering care and love for Kento during his long stay.
Now, after three years in kennels, Kento’s life has truly begun!
He’s met the village locals, strolled along Spittal Beach, explored countless country walks, and even befriended the local butcher (important research to determine his meat preferences, of course).
Best of all, Kento now sleeps on Dave’s bed, a far cry from his kennel days.
Dave has decided to rename him “Kendo.” Kento doesn’t seem to mind; he just assumes Dave has a funny accent. After all, things are a bit different “up north”
From the pound to three years in kennels… to finally, blissfully, home. Kento’s story is a reminder that some journeys take time, but the happy ending is worth every single step 
