So we think all of our dogs are great dogs.  They each are in their own way.

(Rocky Truly is though)

Rocky for his entire life has wished he were a real boy.  He wanted to not only be human but also wished he were an only child.  He is charasmatic, smart as a whip and has one heck of a jump to him. 

I'll never forget the day we brought him home.  We had trouble catching him.  He was scared....as he still is today a very leary, skiddish dog.  Maybe that's why I always thought of him as my jumper.  I'll get back to that though.

We picked him and Adrian up on the same day and on the ride from Fulton to Mexico, NY I held him tight in my arms and whispered "Rocky" in his ear a million times.  I always wanted a Boxer named Rocky and here he was.  He was a brave but scared little boy and after we picked up Adrian, he seemed to take care of her.  She was three weeks younger than he was so he was a good older brother to protect her during those scary first few days with a new family.  In all honesty I think she was much more comfortable then he was, but he seemed to look out for her.

That never did end.  Even though she was the woman, the "bitch" he always took care of Ade.  She loved to play ball by herself on our hardwood floors and ofter her toy would get trapped where she could not get it.  Rocky would always hear her wimper and come to the rescue retrieving her lost toy. 

On that same note Rocky knew how to use her toy love to his advantage.  The two of them were always jocking for position in Brett's lap at night to curl up and watch TV.  If Rocky wanted to be there bad enough and Adrian had it, he would simply get one of her toys and begin playing with it.  Right on jelousy que, Adrian would hop up and get "her" toy...freeing the lap, and Rock would jump right on in.  He is smart.

Ever since Rocky was a puppy we always thought when we looked at him we could almost hear Michael J Fox's voice as he looked so much like Chance in the movie Homeward Bound.  Ironically though, Brett always called him Shadow (the golden retriever from the movie) because every where that Brett went, Rocky was right behind him.  If he were fixing something in the house Rocky sat patiently by, I firmly believe wishing he had posable thumbs so he could pass him the hammer or a wrench.  The way he would be at his side wishing to help I used to always echo Pinochio, "I wish I were a real boy."  Rocky just wanted to be human. 

He also never seemed to want niether his wife (common law) or his son, Jr. around.  He wanted it to be just the three of us.  Imagine his displeasuer when the baby came along.  He felt shafted by us/her at that point, but we tried to not ignore the dogs completely.  I was always keenly aware of the Lady and The Tramp syndrome and tried to not let that happen here, although I fear it did.  Rocky did finally find a use for this scary little monster child however when she began feeding herself.  Quite litterally, a bite for Ellie, a bite for Rocky...and so on.  They have shared every meal since.

I always had my three dogs divided into show horse categories... Adrian was always my pleasure horse because she was slow legged.  Jr is a mess...all over the place and has no conscience awareness of his leads so to me he was my gaming horse.  And Rocky?  Well he was my jumper.  He has the worst knee action when he moves but he can clear anything!  How many times have I brought him to the stable and watched him take fences with ease.  Not to mention the times we stood at the kitchen sink and watched him leap straight into the air to look through the window at us!  He's a hoot! So much Jump...So Scopy. 

Lastly Rocky is one of the most gentle creatures I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  I think that's why he reminds me so much of my horse, Fox.  Both with big, soft, brown eyes and warm, gentle, loving hearts.  That's got to be why the Cancer has not gotten his heart...it's just too good for such a terrible disease.

Rocky is many many thing.  A good dog.  A protector.  A good husband and father.  A teacher.  Mostly, a patient, loyal and true companion.  I'll never ever forget July 2004 when I had a miscarriage.  I sat on the floor of the back bedroom and began to cry.  Before my first tear could roll off my cheek Rocky was at my side.  He sat in front of me and let me fall around him.  I cried for a very long time and Rocky never moved.  He sat silent, still...like a Rock. 

Knowing that he is suffering inside and has been for this long makes me feel just horrible.  He never complained though.  He never seemed to miss a beat.  Now I just have to watch and be there for him...be his rock.  Then I have to be strong enough to do what he needs me to do for him. 

I promise I will not fail him again.

Rocky loves table scraps, he loved walks and playing in the barn, he loves hearing the words, "go for a ride," yet turns green in the car...he can't do any of that any more, but the one thing he loves more then anything else, is a good hug.  Rocky Loves Hugs.  So I will make sure that he has the biggest supply ever of loving and caring hugs during his final days. 

That much we can do.