I LOVE AKITAS!
My Akita Nikki lived to be 11 and died when I was a soph. in college- cancer. Two years earlier, though, she nearly died from a twisted stomach and was saved when my parents rushed her to the hospital in the middle of the night and her stomach was stapled... and she survived for two whole years after that. She was the sweetest 85 pound baby.
My parents' Akita Chewy is three years old and the sweetest with the family, but has nipped a few people so now they just keep her separated from guests. We don't understand why she does it. Otherwise she is a 90 pound lover.
Right now though, I am in love with my 2 year old Lab/Chow cross Anna that I adopted two months ago. Such a good baby!