"Tails" of Rocky: December 2008

Sunday, December 28, 2008

My Best Christmas Ever!

Hi Friends!

Here I am on Christmas Day with my Auntie Mary and Uncle Dennis. They brought me a nice gift, all wrapped up in special holiday dog paper! At first I didn't want to rip the paper because it was so pretty. But it also smelled really good!

My Auntie Mary helped me get the box open and I got to reach right inside and pull out my own cookie! That was so much fun!

This is Bud with one of his Christmas presents he got from Gina. We all got lots of bones -- Nylabones, red squeaky Christmas bones, rawhide bones and Meatybones! We love bones.

That's Sadie helping herself to a Meaty Bone. Auntie Mary calls is 'free feeding.' We like free feeding, in fact, Bud likes it so much Mom caught him 'free feeding' out of the Meaty Bone box under the tree Sunday afternoon! Mom wasn't very happy so I guess I'm not going to try that one.

This is my dog cousin, Lola. She lives in Texas (Southern dog like me!). She's wearing the gift we sent her -- a really cool biker jacket that says "Bad to the Bone" on the back. It's perfect for her because her parents are in the Air Force, stationed at Dyess AFB. Her mom, Crystal, is a Captain (that's her there) and flies a B-1 (get it: B-one...bone) bomber and her dad is a Major and a navigator and weapons systems officer on the B-1. "Bad to the Bone" is kinda like a slogan for the B-1 because its nickname is "the bone." Auntie Mary told me Lola's going to wear her jacket when she visits the squadron with her mom and dad. I'm sure she will be a hit!! Oooh...uh-oh, maybe that wasn't the best choice of words!!! Ya'll know what I mean!

Well, what's Christmas without the gift you just can't wait to return! I know Mom meant well by getting me this camouflage hoodie, but really!! I know I feel and look like a stuffed camouflage sausage in this thing. Can't you just see how happy I am with it!?! She said it was extra large. I'm all for world trade but those Chinese just don't understand American sizes. Hoods are not my thing either! I hope this fits Sadie because it sure as heck ain't goin' back on this body, I don't care how cold it gets up here! All in all, it was a great Christmas -- my best ever!! Hope ya'll had a great Christmas, too! Rocky

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Rockin' Santa

Well, here I am with that special person I told you I met. Now, I know this isn't the real Santa Claus, this is just one of his helpers and he was raising money for the Franklin NH Animal Shelter. He's a real cool Santa, can ya tell by the shades? Also, this was at the Tractor Supply Store, my Dad's favorite store. It's almost as good as Petco! Get a load of that horse behind me, ain't no reindeer here! If I look scared, it's not because I'm a sissy and afraid of Santa like some pups. No, I was a little concerned because the guy's got a grip on my neck like he was going to strangle me or something. I kept looking at my mom for help and all she'd say was: put you ears up, put your ears up! Lot of help she was! It was fun just the same and I got to get a munchkin at Dunkin' Donuts afterwards -- that was the best part! Merry Christmas to ya'll and to ya'll a good night! Rocky

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Special Christmas Greeting!

Merry Christmas Friends!

Well, I made it! Here I am about ready to enter the NH Veteran's Home in Tilton, NH, on my first visit as a Certified Therapy Dog. I don't mean to brag, but don't I look proud and ready?? This was Monday, Dec. 15th, 1 day shy of 10 months since I met my new mom and my life changed forever. Isn't my coat sharp? It has a K9 Good Citizen patch and a Therapy Dog International patch sewn on it, and my name is embroidered on the other side. Very cool! I just loved meeting all the veterans and they loved me. I heard a lot of stories about dogs they used to have. I spent some time laying down next to men sitting in wheelchairs while they petted me, greeted others as they wheeled themselves down the hall, and I even went into private rooms and visited those who couldn't get out of bed. I also got lots of pats and attention from the nurses and other staff. It was so much fun! I can't wait to go again!

It has been a very busy week -- first my TD visit, then up went the Christmas tree! Now, just so you don't think I'm a sticking my tongue out at you, I want you to know this is how dogs blow kisses to everyone! How else would I send kisses your way? Afterall, dogs don't pucker up, right? So this is a Christmas kiss to all my friends!

Then the snow started arriving --

I'm so excited, we are definitely going to have a white Christmas and I'm loving all this snow! I've never seen so much snow -- it's like it hasn't stopped since Friday and this is Sunday! Mom says we're getting another foot today, of snow that is! At this rate, all you'll see of me is the tips of my ears!

It's getting sooo deep, I can hardly do you know what! Now I know why Sadie & Bud just do it in the driveway!! Very disgusting but it sure is easier than this! I guess when in New England, do as the New Englanders do. Can't believe my dad took my picture!

Check this next one out -- I'm practicing for the World Championship Sled Dog Races! Mom says they are held right here in the Lakes Region in February! I think I could make an awesome lead dog! Look at that form, will ya! (Click on photo to zoom in.)

Well, I also met a special person this week but you'll have to check back in another day or so to find out more about that! In the meantime, I'm going to hunker down next to the fire and dream about all those goodies I hope to get for Christmas! Hope ya'll have a great week and a very Merry Christmas! Don't forget to check back soon for a picture of me and my special friend! Love ya'll -- Rocky

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Ice Storm of 08

Howdy Friends!

Well, this sure isn't a Christmas tree we're rocking around. Nope, this is just one of a few trees that came down Friday night in my yard during that ice storm.

We used to have a nice little shade tree growing inside our kennel and, well, as you can see, it's gone now, too, along with a real nice apple tree that got clobbered by another tree,

Good thing Dad's got a chainsaw! We also lost power for about 12 hours but Dad has a nice generator that kicks on as soon as the power goes out, so I was down right cozy the whole time. Well, except for when nature called -- it was very wet and slippery making those little trips outside. It's times like that when I envy the cats!

Sorry, I've been "off line" for a while. Mom's been really busy at her job and also selling children's books at holiday fairs and home shows.

The shopping season is winding down now, so she'll be around more to help me stay connected with ya'll. In fact, Mom took tomorrow off as it is a special day for me -- one I've been preparing for since March. I don't want to say too much, except keep an eye on the blog for pictures of my next big adventure!! Hope ya'll take time to enjoy the Christmas season with your family and friends. I sure am -- especially when I think of how lonely I was this time last year all alone in the woods of North Carolina. Boy, what a difference a year can make! Ya'll stay warm now, and God Bless! Rocky

Things I Love

Ice cubes! Bud & Sadie taught me to crunch ices cubes. Sure wish I'd had those on hot days back in NC!
Meeting new people -- the Southern gentleman in me really shines here!
Carolyn's Canine College -- Carolyn is so nice to me and gives me treats!
My dog sister, Sadie (notice I didn't say, my dog brother, Bud)
Fish Oil Capsules -- My bedtime snack, yummy!
Riding in the Car -- sometimes I get to stick my head out the window!
Going for walks with my mom on my country road
Sleeping (Especially on my mom & dad's bed!)
Food (Mom only lets me eat dog food, no table scraps)

Rocky's Story

My story begins in North Carolina back in December of 2007. I was rescued from the woods by a kind young lady who overheard some hunters say they were going to "shoot the shepherd" because they thought I was keeping deer away. I had already been shot at once -- and hit! I had a BB lodged in my forehead that my owner never bothered to have removed. There were a lot of things my owner never bothered do to, so that's why I ran away to begin with and got lost in the woods. Another thing my owner never bothered to do was give me heartworm medicine and, yup, you guessed it, I not only had that BB in my head, I also had heartworm.

I wish I knew who that young girl was that gave me a ride that day. She saved my life and I'd like to say thank you to her someday. After she saved me from those hunters, she took me to a vet to see if I had any identification -- I didn't, of course. So the vet contacted Bob, a volunteer with Forever Home K9 Rescue. Bob came over and brought me back to his home. It wasn't a forever home but it sure was nice to be out of the woods. My owner actually did track me down and when he found out Bob would help find a good home for me, he decided that was the best thing for me. That was just what Bob was hoping for, now he could get on with helping me and that began with getting that BB out of my head and neutering. Then came the heartworm test...positive; then the heartworm treatments, ugh! They were tough but Bob, Denese and the wonderful vets and technicians at Animal Hospital of Statesville took real good care of me and I made it through! Thanks, you guys!

Bob then started taking me to PetCo for the adopt-a-dog days. A lot of people would stop and pet me, but Bob told me he was waiting for the right people to give me a good home. My lucky day was February 16, 2008, when a man and woman came by and began talking with Bob and petting me. I thought they were very nice, but I knew they weren't from around NC because they had a different accent. But Bob seemed to like them and I trusted Bob. About three weeks later, back at PetCo I met the same people again and they seemed very happy to see me. That's when I began to realize that these people were going to be my forever home.

On March 10, 2008, in the early morning hours, Bob got my things and we headed out while it was still dark. We went to a hotel parking lot and there were those same two people again. That's when Bob told me I would be going home with them. I was sad and alittle scared to leave Bob, but I knew that's what I had to do. Leaving the parking lot, I whimpered a little as I sat in the corner of the back seat of the pick-up truck. I was trying to be brave. These people seemed nice, but I was really missing Bob and I had no idea where I was being taken.

I rode quietly for quite a while, with a scared look on my face. I looked out the window to try to see where we were going but I couldn't tell. Finally, I started to relax a little and took a nap. When I woke up, I felt better. I continued riding for miles and miles, hours and hours -- about 17 hours to be exact and pretty close to 1000 miles. We stopped off and on along the way for potty breaks and snacks. I was getting to like these new people!

Finally we arrived at a house in the country. I got out and stepped into this icy cold white stuff that was slippery to walk on! Oh no, snow! I'd seen a little of this stuff in NC but not like it was here. Then they told me, I was in New Hampshire!

This was my new forever home! It was really late, so we went right to bed. The next morning I met my new family: my German shepherd sister, Sadie, and my German shepherd brother, Buddy; and my feline brothers & sisters: Sam, Jack, Eddie, Annie and Chloe; and my grammy, who is 87-years old and blind.

My life has changed so much since I joined my forever home. I go for walks. I have a huge yard to run free in with my brother and sister. I have my own bed. I go to dog school. And I'm preparing to be a therapy dog so I can go to nursing homes and children's reading programs. Life doesn't get much better than this! Thank you Forever Home K9 Rescue for helping me find my forever home...even if it was 1000 miles away! Rocky

"Tails" of Rocky

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