Tosca was featured here in November 2024. He’d been grossly neglected by his previous owner, kept on a balcony with three other dogs — even in the dead of winter — and rarely receiving food. He was described by an ARK veteran as “one of the trickiest dogs we’ve had.”

The difficulties Tosca endured led to him chewing on furniture, biting people and relieving himself wherever he pleased. All signs indicated that he was going to be a challenging dog to rehome.

But Tosca is now thriving with Ruka and Tsuyoshi Ueno, who live in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. “My family had adopted from ARK when I was a child and I have great memories of that time,” Ruka says. Once she got married, bought a home and was “finally in a position to get my own dog,” she came straight to ARK.

With fond memories of animal adoption from her childhood, Ruka Ueno decided to continue the tradition after getting settled as an adult.
With fond memories of animal adoption from her childhood, Ruka Ueno decided to continue the tradition after getting settled as an adult. | COURTESY OF THE UENO FAMILY

Ruka was told that Tosca was “just like a baby” and demanded a lot of attention. When she met him for the first time, however, she was drawn to how independent he seemed. “I thought he was actually like my husband and me,” she says.

Months after the adoption, Tosca attended an ARK event with his new family and everyone who had known him before was amazed at how far he’d come. “He’s our only dog and I hope he knows that he’s safe and can relax,” says Ruka. “He seems to have developed a more expressive face.” With the Ueno family, Tosca has found a happy place for himself at last.

If you are interested in adopting, email ARK at [email protected] or call 050-1557-2763 (English or Japanese) Monday to Saturday (bilingual) for more information. Animal Refuge Kansai (with offices in Kansai and Tokyo) is an NPO founded by U.K. native Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. Prospective owners are required to undergo a screening process. Web: www.arkbark.net