Anya (Kenya)

Breed:            Akita X ?

Age:               12 months (approx.)

Sex:               Bitch 

Dog Friendly: Yes

Background:   Unclaimed stray.

Anya's (Kenya's) Four Paws thread

Lots of people on the forum have been enquiring about Anya and have said they would like to get regular updates on her progress.

This is her story

It's hard to believe but this beautiful girl was picked up by the dog warden in Monmouth where she had just wandered into someone’s garden.

We have no way of knowing for certain, but we think that she was probably dumped - maybe because of her medical problems.

Anya served her 7 days in the Pound and then Four Paws took her into their care.

It was very obvious from the onset that she had either limited sight or was completely blind, but she seemed otherwise to be in good health. Initially it was thought that she was barely more than a pup - maybe about 5 or 6 months - as she was very puppy-like in her ways and was still mouthing when excited.

She spent a week or two in our holding kennels but unfortunately didn't do all that well.

Obviously, her new and strange environment was upsetting her and she paced around and around like a caged lion.  It was then that we began to wonder what the future could hold for her.

But once she was out of her kennel it was a different story!  She went from the holding kennels to her new foster home via a Meet & Greet event and immediately began doing what Anya does best – makes people fall in love with her!

Once in her foster home, it became obvious that her vision was very limited but she coped well with doorways and obstacles from the first day.  Steps and stairs, however, were a different story and initially she had to be lifted up and down as she was too scared to try them on her own.

She loves the two resident dogs and learned the 'house routines' by copying and following them. I'm not sure they fully appreciate the bells that have been put on their collars (so that Anya knows where they are) but they've definitely helped.

After a couple of weeks, an appointment with a leading eye specialist was arranged and we were told that physically her eyes were normal, which wasn't good news as it meant that there was a neurological problem. We also discovered that she was at least 12 months old.

Over the next few weeks Anya started to blossom. She learned basic commands using a clicker and began to realise that treats were a good thing and not something to be suspicious of.  Initially she used to take them then drop them so she could have a cautious sniff before eating.

She picked up ‘sit’ in no time at all and from there it was easy to persuade her to ‘give paw’. She also learned recall, both to her name and/or a whistle and her latest thing navigating ‘kissing gates’ (animal proof gates) in the village; I tell her 'through' and 'round' and she gets through them perfectly.

She also became completely house-trained in the space of just a few weeks – pretty amazing when you consider that she quite possibly has never lived in a house before.

She gained confidence quickly and soon was navigating steps on her own, very often two at a time when she was in a rush.

Anya has two favourite things:

• rushing around the fields playing with my dogs and meeting any other dogs
• sleeping.

After a few more weeks the appointment came through for Anya to have a consultation with a neurologist and an MRI scan to see what was happening.

These are the findings from Anya's scan .....

She has severe abnormalities in her brain - at least 2 thirds or maybe more is missing and the cavity has filled with fluid (hydrocephalus). 


The specialist was amazed that she could function, never mind learn and remember things and the pictures from the scan literally have to be seen to be believed.

The outlook isn't good for the long term. But, its likely she's been this way from birth and the specialist has assured us that she doesn't have any pain.
I think anyone who has met her or seen her videos would agree that her quality of life is good.

Her future?

Well, that I'm afraid is still uncertain. The vet hadn't seen anything like it before and could give very little advice. She may have a 'meltdown' where everything will stop functioning or, there may be a more gradual deterioration.

Obviously we'll be monitoring her closely for any changes.

The results of Anya's scan mean that it is no longer appropriate to attempt to re-home Anya. She is settled in her foster home and will remain there as a long term foster with Four Paws covering all on-going medical costs.

If you wish to make a donation towards any care that Anya may need, you can do so below:

 The Anya Appeal