Tanuki: A Hachiko Star
An interview with Karen Blohm-Mangone, of Celtic Akitas
by Carol Speier
Tanuki is the youngest of the four Akita canine stars in the new Hachiko movie. Karen Blohm-Mangone, owner of Tanuki, is co-owner of his Dam, Misora (Misora Utahime Go Kurume Hirose). She is also the co-breeder of Misora’s litter, which was sired by Swedish import, Kinto (Milstopen’s Kintos to Hanko Sunrock), owned by Debra Anibal of Sunrock Akitas. Misora lives at home with Karen, where the puppies were whelped in on April 2, 2008. This litter of seven 100% Japanese puppies is Misora’s first.
The dog trainers for the Hachiko movie were asked to find a puppy for some additional scenes. After unsuccessfully contacting a number of Akita breeders, they asked Debra Anibal, Tanuki’s co-breeder, who already had two adult dogs in the movie, if she knew of any puppies meeting their criteria. The puppy had to be a red male with a white mask, approximately 12-16 weeks of age. Although this color combination is fairly common for a Japanese Akita, it would be relatively uncommon in an American Akita. Debra contacted Karen about Misora’s litter. These puppies seemed to meet the criteria perfectly.
Together, they chose Karen’s pick of the litter, Tanuki, for the role. His temperament and intelligence seemed well-suited for a movie career. Since he would be away only two weeks, the additional socialization could be a positive experience. Tanuki’s photos were sent. He met all the criteria, with one exception. Tanuki would be only nine and one-half weeks old at the start of filming. Special permission had to be obtained in order to use a puppy under ten weeks of age. Gleanna Doyle, the puppy trainer, was able to get the necessary permissions. Contracts were signed. Flight arrangements were made. Tanuki traveled on Friday, was trained over the week-end, and filmed on Monday, getting his first shot with only five takes. Fantastic!
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Glenna was amazed at how smart Tanuki was, and that he was so well trained for his age. (He was already potty trained, doggie door savvy and leash trained.)
His training with Glenna involved learning to come to a buzzer, sit, down, and stay. Everyone on the set raved about his brilliant performance. After a few additional shots, he wrapped up his movie career at the tender age of 11 weeks.
It was hard for Glenna to send Tanuki home, as he had begun to fill the hole left in her heart by the passing of her own Akita. She placed a top she had worn in his crate, providing the comfort of a familiar scent for his flight home to Phoenix. He was met at the airport by Karen and his mom, Misora. Such a joyful homecoming! He stayed with Karen and Misora for about a month and then went to live with his forever boy, Ryan Mangone, Karen’s stepson. Ryan is eight years old, and totally thrilled that his puppy got to be in a movie.
This winter, Tanuki will be traveling back to Karen for agility training. Later, he will be shown in conformation at the FCI shows in Tijuana, Mexico, as well as the IABCA and UKC shows. If he passes all of his health tests, Karen says she may breed him. He will not be old enough to pass all of his health testing until he is two years old. By then, Karen believes, the Akita popularity generated by the movie will have passed. She states, “I do not breed very often and only for myself mostly. I am NOT out to fill the planet with Akitas and do not feel they are the dog for everyone.“
The owners of Tanuki’s littermates and I have something in common. We can’t wait to see the movie. I’m sure that Tanuki will live up to his registered name.
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