I read an article just the other day in the AJC about the thousands of animals being left behind in the Atlanta area by foreclosed on people.  Dogs have been found tied to trees, one was locked in a shed - no food or water.  Kevin, I am sorry for the loss of your Akita but happy for Charlie.  I have an 11 yr. old Scottie, Shadow.  He is a member of our family!  He goes boating, camping & even kayaking with us!  He's a real happy, active little guy.  I dread the day when he is no longer with us.  In May, I drove to Florida & adopted another Scottie, MacKenzie - 5 yrs. old, from an animal rescue group.  They found her in a pound and she was going to be killed that day.  She apparently had been abused.  She thinks she is going to be kicked ; afraid of people feet!  We are working with her & hope one day, she will be as happy as Shadow!  I was told that there are many pets in pounds & shelters that were left behind due to foreclosures in Florida.  There are also many who buy purebred dogs who think of them as "designer" dogs and find out that they are too much trouble to care for.  They dump them at the pound.  I found MacKenzie at www.petfinders.com.  Pounds and shelters are on there.They're not always the cheapest but they have all their shots & have been neutered.  McKenzie even had dental work.  (I can't bear to go to an actual pound - I'd want them all)!   In the future, I will always get a dog from a shelter or pound.  There are too many pets out there looking for a new, loving home.  Kevin, hope you & Charlie will have many great times together!