by Bonnie Camacho
I went into our local animal shelter called PAWS looking for a companion for my golden retriever named Bear. What I had found was this black, unkept "goofy looking" mutt with the most cutest underbite I have ever seen. The volunteers did not know much about him except that HE was brought in as a stray and that had him for about 1 month. He had this tatoo on the inside of his Rt thigh (WA 3535). How could anyone put this dog through such torture and losing him!!! The volunteers at the shelter tried to locate the owner through this tatoo but were unable. I MUST HAVE THIS DOG!! I went home to get my Bear to see if they would get along since they were both males-it was love at first site!! They were meant to be "brothers". Rocky ended up to be the dominant one-he wrestled and gently bit at Bear's ears and Bear would just let him. Keep in mind that Bear was approx 75 pounds and Rocky was just about 20 pounds!! What a pair!!! I only had Rocky for about 3 years when he was diagnosed with Kidney failure (he was about 1 1/2 years old when I adopted him (at least that's what they estimated him to be) Rocky was a fighter till the very end (and so full of energy!!!) He started bleeding from the rectum and never stopped vomiting although he tried to "act like nothing was wrong". My vet said it's becoming quite common that all this cross-breeding with animals is leading up to serious medical problems with "mutts"
I miss him terribly-so does Bear as he was very depressed for about a week after Rocky's passing over the Rainbow bridge. You know life does go on; Rocky has come to me in my dreams and told me "Mom, go help the other animals like you helped me!!" I have added to more dogs into my family (Lady-Bug and Lady-Di); both adopted from shelters. We never really found out what breed Rocky was, just speculation he was mixed with terrier or brussels griffon or even affenpinscher or when he was actually born. I live just Southwest of Chicago near Tinley Park, IL when I adopted Rocky. If anyone might know of losing a dog like this or know of someone who has with that tatto (WA 3535) please E-mail me. I would appreciate it and to let whomever has this dog, he was in good hands the time he had left on this earth and thank you for letting me know one of God's lovable and humble creatures!!! Thank you rockyjc@mw.sisna.com