Labrador Retriever - My Labrador Rocky Rocks!

Labrador Retriever - My Labrador Rocky Rocks!

By: Jen

Last year, a friend asked if I might want a dog (I had been secretly pondering the very thing for quite some time). He went on to tell me about this sweet 3 year old Lab that his sister had adopted from the humane society a year prior. She just didn't have time for him and as such, he spent that year chained up outside - getting little more than the basic requirements to live.

After hearing that, I almost turned my friend down, as I myself wouldn't be able to rehabilitate a neglected dog (I had never had a dog before and a neglected dog sounded overwhelming). I went over to meet Rocky on two separate occasions at my friend's place (he had confiscated Rocky and was taking care of him until a suitable home could be found) and he just about knocked me over both times! He seemed enormous! He was super friendly and I couldn't bear the thought of him going to live anywhere other than with my hubby & I.

After very little discussion, we decided to bring Rocky home with us. At first he didn't have much interest in either of us and would spend hours sniffing every nook and cranny of our house. Taking Rocky to an off-leash park for the first time was almost too scary to stand - he acted like he was deaf and refused to come to me or my hubby (we had his favorite treats, too). Around the house he was - and still is - a major suck, constantly wanting to be held (yes, held - he loves hugs, and has decided he wants to be a lap dog...) and get patted on the head.

Finally, after months of recall training, Ricky’s doing great with it, and always keeps us in his sight when we go to the dog parks! He's become my best bud. Always up for whatever I'm in the mood for; walks (of course), running errands, snuggling up to watch a movie, playing tag (no kidding! He gets it! Hide & Seek too!), even taking care of our recently adopted kitten - Bullwinkle (Winks for short) - if I harness them together, Rocky will grab Winks' lead and direct him.

I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I brought Rocky home that first day, and even though the first couple of months were a little trying, he has made it so very worthwhile. Because Rocky is such a social dog that just loves meeting other dogs & people, it must've broken his heart being left alone for so long.

Why do I love Rocky? Why not? Whenever anyone is around him, they can't help but smile - or laugh...he's a non-stop wiggle machine! When we first brought Rocky home he had very bad ear infections in both ears, a benign cist on his tail, and calluses on his elbows from being left to lie on pavement all day. Nowadays, he has his own bedroom with his own sofa as well as multiple doggie beds throughout the house (which he enjoys re-arranging on an almost daily basis). Rocky is a remarkable dog, and every time I look at him, I want to give him the world.

Thank you for letting me share.

Jen