The connection we share with our dogs is unlike any other. They are family, and we love them unconditionally, through every stage of their lives. That is why it is heartbreaking to hear stories like Rocky’s, which remind us how heartless some people can be.
Some pet owners are capable of abandoning their most loyal companions, erasing them from their lives as though they never existed.
This is exactly what happened to Rocky, a 10-year-old German Shepherd who was left behind at a shelter in El Oso, Texas.
After a lifetime spent with his family, they decided he was too old and no longer worth keeping. To make matters worse, they even asked the shelter to euthanize him.
The volunteers immediately refused. When they looked into Rocky’s sad brown eyes, they saw resilience and hope, and they believed he still had a chance at finding a loving forever home.
It was later revealed that Rocky’s owners had first driven him to a deserted part of town intending to dump him there, only to change their minds at the last minute.
Years Of Neglect Leave Their Mark
When Rocky first arrived, he looked worn down and heartbroken. Years without proper care had left visible scars. He suffered from allergies, flea dermatitis, and heartworm, all of which required treatment.
Knowing the dog needed more than they could provide, the shelter reached out to Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue, an all-volunteer organization based in Virginia. Without hesitation, they agreed to help, and Rocky was transferred into their care.
The rescue sought out the best veterinary support, and soon people from all over began donating funds to cover the cost of his medical treatment.
A Gentle Soul In Foster Care
At first, Rocky was placed in a temporary foster home in Virginia, where he met his foster mom, Kathy Fridley. She quickly fell in love with him.
“Rocky is the sweetest, gentlest dog… He is so grateful when people take a minute and pet him… he just leans onto you to absorb all the love. Rocky has had so little kindness shown to him in his life, he asks for nothing,” she says.
Rocky finally felt safe surrounded by people who cared. He enjoyed simple pleasures, like going on walks, relaxing on the porch, and riding in the car. His favorite was sitting in the back seat, gazing out the window as the world passed by.
Despite being deprived of affection for most of his life, Rocky still had endless love to give. After spending time with his foster family in Virginia, he moved to another foster home in Frederick, Maryland.
The team at Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue worked hard to find him a permanent family that would treasure him for the rest of his life.
After everything he endured, Rocky deserved nothing less than to be treated like royalty. He wasn’t looking for luxury, only for love and kindness. The rescue team believed he would thrive in the countryside, where he could enjoy the outdoors and live peacefully.
A Reminder To Help
The volunteers who dedicate their lives to saving dogs like Rocky are true heroes. Their work gives abandoned pets a second chance, even when the odds are stacked against them.
But shelters everywhere are overcrowded, and more dogs arrive every day than find homes. Shelter Animals Count (SAC) has warned of an alarming rise in euthanasia. The rate of dogs being put down nearly doubled in the last four years.
This is a call for all of us to take action. By adopting, fostering, or donating, we can relieve the burden on shelters and ensure dogs like Rocky are given the lives they deserve.
Dogs count on us, and we cannot let them down.