Langans Kodama no Task ’’Echo’ Story

I finally came to the point of making the final decision for my 11 year old brindle Akita, Echo (AKA "Langans Kodama no Task"). Although we had discovered a ping pong ball sized tumour in her groin in July, by the time we had done biopsies the tumour was the size of half a tennis ball. She was diagnosed in early September with malignant haemangiosarcoma. When chest x-rays revealed evidence of cancer in her lungs, we decided to keep her as comfortable as possible until it was time to say goodbye. By November the growth was the size of a soccer ball.

At the end Echo was unable to get up or lie down without our assistance, and had several falls over the last few days. Originally only the hind leg nearest the tumour was affected but it seemed that loss of feeling was setting into all of her legs. She continued to love dog cookies, and still insisted on trying to lift her leg overtop of the spots that our young male Akita had marked! She had always been at the top of the pack, but I began to notice moments of discomfort when she had realized her vulnerability to the other dogs.

Echo was not an easy dog due to her protectiveness and dislike of strangers, but those traits also made her intensely loyal to her family and friends, and a formidable watchdog. She was obedient, easy to train, clean, unassuming with the family, quietly affectionate, stoic, and brave.

She was our companion and protector for over 11 years, and a real member of the family. We loved her, and we miss her.

Julia, Robin, Matthew, & Robert