Kiki the Akita was rescued from a dog pound by Tabitha White, Sleaford and South Lincolnshire's representative for the Friends of Akitas Trust UK, who agreed to foster her.

Tabitha, who already has a thirteen month old Akita, Yogi, said: "Kiki was found wandering the streets with lacerations on her back and a chunk out of her tongue and from what we knew of her it was clear she had been beaten."

Kiki was so malnourished, Tabitha took her to Kirksvets in Sleaford where she spent three days in intensive care being looked after by vet Julian Metcalf.

Tabitha said: "Julian was great, he really cared about Kiki and despite what she has been through, she is the most loving Akita I have ever come across."

Like all puppies Akita puppies are very appealing but they soon grow into large, powerful dogs with a protective nature and a dominant instinct.

Akita owners who know little about the breed often find they can't cope with the adult dog and sometimes end up dumping them.

Tabitha said: "Akitas are not dangerous dogs but they can end up in dangerous hands; that's why it's so important to understand the breed and train them properly."

The Friends of Akitas Trust (UK) was set up in December 2007 by three volunteers to help deal with the problem of rehoming abandoned dogs. Since then they have saved fifteen Akitas from death row.

Kiki was one of the lucky ones as just two months after being fostered with Tabitha, she was adopted by the Eaton family from Sleaford.

Steve and Carolyn Eaton and their three daughters applied for Kiki after seeing an advert for her in Kirkvets.

They have previous experience of owning Akitas and since Kiki moved in with them, she has settled straight into family life.

Steve said: "She is as good as gold, we've had no problems with her at all and she has brought us closer together as a family as we all enjoy spending time with her and taking her for walks."

Nicknamed, Princess Kiki - because nothing's too good for her, Kiki loves nothing more than cuddling up on the sofa with her new family in her happy ever after home.

For more information on Akitas or the Friends of Akitas Trust (UK) visit their website: www.friendsofakitas.co.uk or ring Trustee, Vikki Goulding on: 07957339877.