A Tribute to Rocky

We received Rocky into our home on March 3, 2003. He was a beautiful red dachshund with white dappling on his ears and back.

He came into this world on August 11, 2001 and sold to a local pet store where he was bought by a wonderful woman who loved him very much. However, her circumstances changed a few years later and she had to move. As a result, she could no longer keep her Rocky. In an attempt to make sure he got a good home, she gave him to her daughter, who loved him very much, but soon found out that she didn't have room in her already busy household for a pet.

They looked for a person who would take Rocky, and found none. I 'happened' to hear about his plight from friends and tried to contact the daughter, but couldn't reach her at home. I tried the next day at her work, but she didn't come in that day. As it turns out, she was with her mother, getting ready to take Rocky to the Humane Society. They 'just happened' to stop by her work on the way where the secretary 'just happened' to hear her voice and remembered that I called looking for her. So they came over, Max and Rocky hit it off, so we adopted him.

Adopting a rescue is a big job and should not be taken lightly. You really don't know what went on in his past, so it's like having a new puppy in the house, but also you have to keep in mind that you are dealing with personality traits that took years to form.
Even after almost a week, Rocky still marked in the house, but it did subside as soon as he got used to us and we got him fixed.

There was a bit of a territory dispute the first night Rocky is allowed out of the kitchen. How did I know this? Well I let Rocky explore the top of my bed and he had fun burrowing under the blanket sniffing where Max sleeps. Then, that night when Max crawled in, he smelled that Rocky had been there and started growling.

Rocky really must be tired to sleep like this!

Rocky and Max developed a fun game that had 3 variations. In the first variation, Rocky would go under the bed and Max would wait to see where he would come out. As soon as Max saw the bed skirt move, he jumped to play with Rocky. The second variation of the game was when Rocky explored under the blanket of the bed so that all you see is this lump moving around. Max loves to charge at the lump!
In the third variation, Rocky would go under the bed exploring. It was funny because you could hear him rummaging around and scratching from time to time. Well, Max thought that was a hoot, so he would jump onto the top of the bed and looks over the side waiting for Rocky to emerge. When he did, Max would woof at him causing Rocky to tear out from under the bed with Max in hot pursuit. Then they would jet across the house with Rocky running back under the bed and the game would begin again.

The funniest thing about my little dachshund was when he was happy (which prompted the adoption I offer). Unlike Max, who jumps up and down and delivers the 1,000 lick attack, Rocky wiggled his whole body. It was just the funniest site to see not only the tail wagging, but the whole body wagging!

Buddies catching rays

Rocky, being the older dog, took the responsibility of trying to keep Max in line. When we were outside, if Max didn't come when called, Rocky 'herded' him in with little nips.

Rocky was also alot of fun on walks. My daughter liked to wear her rollerblades while walking him and Rocky pulled her along part of the way, he was so excited to be on a walk. It was especially funny to see when she is getting pulled down a little hill that is on a portion of the walk.

Then in June 2005, we had to find a new home for Rocky. We had started foster care and the addition of 2 children in the home was too much for him. He started growling at the baby and was barking more and more, especially at any sign of rough-housing. One day, when my daughter and son were rough-housing, Rocky bit my son and drew blood.  That was enough. I was about to take him to the shelter, when I was told about someone looking for a dog.  They were notified of his problem, but still wanted him badly.  As the man had only a son and lived on a 50 acre farm, I thought these conditions would be ideal for Rocky.  It was extremely hard for the kids and I to let him go.  I was still morning over a week later, but I know it was the right thing to do.  This was confirmed by an email letting me know that he was adjusting well to his new home.

If you have to ever give up a dog, I would highly recommend a local rescue group or Freecycle group. They will be happy to help you relocate your pet to a happy home.  Also, if you have a love for animals and can work with pets that may have disagreeable personality traits, I would like to encourage you to try these groups also.  I feel alot better knowing that Rocky is at a loving home rather than having been put to sleep at a shelter.

If you would like to see more pictures of Rocky, please Click Here.

If you do not see the table at the left, please click here.