Rocky's Story...

I had Rocky before the press made monsters out of the breed. I had adopted him from the Calgary Humane Society on the day he was put to death. They had already taken a large amount of his blood for donation purposes, and he was just waiting to die. I am so glad I walked in the kennels when I did. He was so grateful towards me. Most people
used to like him. That is, until they found out he was a blood thirsty
demon. It still astounds me how some people can suddenly change their
attitude towards a dog that they have known for years. After all the bad
press, I would have to search my yard for baited meat, antifreeze, and
rat pellets. Rocky was a good boy, so he never touched any strange food
anyhow. Alot of cats stopped coming home during that time, ironically enough.

Things escalated to the point, that I could not walk him during the day anymore. We used to go out in the dark. We had so much fun together, except the skunk incident a week before he died, we both got sprayed. Rocky got sprayed so bad, he couldn't even see, I had to lead him home.

The clerk's face was priceless when I walked into 7-11, to buy tomato juice, it was worth all the hassle. The evening before he passed away, we were out on our nightly walk, stink and all. I saw a pick up truck slow right down, and the driver was
pointing at Rocky, and then he yelled something out his window. I felt panic stricken. I had seen this truck on numerous occasions driving down my back alley. I tried to get the license plate number, because I thought this might be the person whom was trying to poison my
dog.

I had no place to run, we were in a big field with one road passing through it. We ran into the darkness, I was hoping that he couldn't see us anymore. We managed to get across, and had to wait to cross the street, as there were lots of cars passing by. Suddenly that
truck came screeching out of nowhere.

I don't know how the truck managed not to hit me, but I helplessly watched while it proceeded to run over my poor Rocky. It was so close to me, I helplessly watched as Rocky squirmed under its wheels. I could hear the truck hit his body, and hear him get dragged away under the wheels. Even his choke chain, which was hard to put over his head
got knocked off.

When it was over, by some sort of miracle, Rocky came running back tome. He was cowering, because he thought he had done something wrong. I hugged him so close, not believing that he lived through it. He seemed fine, and we raced home to get my truck, and take him to the vet. On the way there, he was starting to have difficulty breathing.

When we arrived, the vet had such a look at disgust towards Rocky. I had no choice but to entrust Rocky in his care, as there is no other emergency clinic in the city. Overtime I came to his cage, he gave his brave little tail wag. I honestly thought that he was going to be
okay.

When my regular clinic opened in the morning, the emergency called and said that they did not want him there, and I had to move him to my clinic. As soon as his x-rays were done, Dr. Hannagin told me to leave, as Rocky was in very serious condition, and needed emergency
surgery.

The very last time I saw my Rocky, he was laying on the examining table, looking at me with his beautiful amber eyes. I gave him a huge hug and kiss, telling him that I would be back for him very soon. He had such a sad look in his eyes, but he gave me his little tail wag. I
honestly thought he was going to make it.

I know now, that he knew that he was going to die. It is hard for me to explain why, but I know when I kissed him, he knew that it was our last good-bye. The vet called me an hour later, and said he had a cardiac arrest. He also said that Rocky sustained such severe internal injuries, he should have died at the scene. His back was broken too. I have
no idea of how he managed to walk home with me, let alone live through the night.

Rocky taught me so much about the strength, courage, loyalty, and love that a dog has for its person. He suffered intolerably that night, just so he could be with me just a little bit longer. I will always have great admiration for the pit bull, and will always defend them,
as I do the Rottweiler. They are very courageous, and anyone whom has owned one, will ultimately know that they are man's best friend. Anyone whom has not had the pleasure of having one, will never know the great extent of love and loyalty a pit bull can really give.

That afternoon, after he died, the strangest thing happened. As I told you previously, we were skunked, and it was still lingering in my house. Okay, more than lingering, it just bloody reeked. I was sitting on the couch, crying my eyes out, begging God to give my dog back to me. I suddenly felt something funny, almost like he was there with me. Then, the room went cold again, and the smell of skunk completely disappeared. It sounds unreal, but I am not a liar, and have no reason to lie about it.

It was really hard regressing back like this. I have never really spoken about this since it happened. I could never bring myself to do it before. I am glad that I did. It was my way of honouring my fallen friend, even if it was years after the fact.

"I love you Rocky, and please greet my Sheena, Damian and Sable
at the Bridge
when they get there someday."

--
Diana Primiterra
PBRC Volunteer
[email protected]
Pitbull Rescue Central (PBRC)
http://www.cyberpresence.net/pbrc/

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