Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat! Okay, this is as scarey as it's going to get for me!

No, this is not Minnie Pearl, this is Sadie in her Halloween Cowgirl hat!

Bud, the show-off -- thinks he looks pretty dapper.

Okay, so my costume's not very scarey and my hat's not on nice and straight like Bud & Sadie, what can I say! You're lucky you saw me in one at all -- costumes are not my thing and, if you ask me, German shepherds were given big ears so they'd never have to wear hats! But my mom is very persistent and you should have seen how many times I stomped on my Dad's cowboy hat before she finally got this photo with it on me. She tried to get me to wear her cowboy boots, but I put my paw down on that one! I'm usually a pretty cooperative guy, but I can be very uncooperative when I want to, too! There's one thing I am looking forward to wearing, though, and that's my red Therapy Dog coat -- now that I will proudly wear! I got to try it on but it was a little too big, so back it went for some alterations. Not only do I look sharp in it, it's going to help keep me warm. I'm not used to all this cold weather, ya know. I can't wait for ya'll to see me in it! It's even going to have my name embroidered on it. How cool is that!?! Well, hope ya'll have a great week and get lots of goodies for Halloween. Rocky

Fall Fun in NH!

Howdy Friends!

Have ya missed me? Sorry I'm a little behind in posting my latest happenings, Mom's been busy with book shows, exercise classes, and working, but we've been making the most of our weekends. So let's do some catching up!

First, I went to the NH Humane Society Dogtoberfest -- I met some new friends there while Mom & Dad saw some old friends:

These are the Alden's -- Mrs. Alden is the widow of Sheriff Don Alden who Mom & Dad worked for when they first met at the Belknap County Sheriff's Department. The man in blue is Frank -- he worked at the Jail back then. By the sounds of it, those were the good old days. I especially liked hearing about Dad's K-9 Patrol Dog, Pal, who was known to chew up a cruiser now and then!

Then we were off to Hackleboro Apple Orchard in Canterbury. I'm not much for apples, but I did get a nice dog treat from a lady there.

Then it was back home to just enjoy the awesome colors of fall in NH. I sure wish my friends in NC could see how pretty it gets up here!

I'm on the far left here with Bud in the middle and Sadie on the right.

And there's me and Dad walking down into my yard from the woods. I just love walking in the woods with my Dad. It reminds me of my walks with Foster Bob back in NC -- male bonding time, if ya know what I mean.

Here's Bud and me -- Sadie hates to sit for a picture, so she took off.

I finally couldn't resist just laying down and relaxing on this great sunny Saturday. After all the excitement, I was just dog-tired!

And here's a shot of Mt. Washington

and then our driveway, as I'm headed out for a walk.

Hope you enjoyed seeing a little bit of my world as much as I enjoyed sharing it. I think I must be the luckiest dog in the world! Stay tuned for the latest on my therapy dog work -- I got my official ID card last week, so you will soon be reading about my important work ahead. And remember, like my Mom's license plate says: hugak9! Rocky

Mug Shot!

Howdy Friends!

My mom needed to take my picture for my Therapy Dog ID Card. I really don't like to sit for pictures -- don't know many dogs that do. She needed a face shot, so this was the best I could give her. Can you see me smiling? She nearly blinded me with that flash! And, no, I don't have a white mustache like it appears. Why, it makes me look like I'm in one of those "got milk" ads! Must have been that darn flash!

I can't wait to get my ID tag, then there'll be nothing stopping me from carrying out my mission in life. In the meantime, I'm practicing with my grammy-- check this out. She's 87 and blind, and lives with us. I always make sure I am very gentle with her and she loves me in return. I just know I'm going to love being a Therapy Dog!! Ya'll have a great week now! Rocky

BYD & Me!

Howdy Friends!

I just love the 3rd Sunday because that means all the teenagers from church come over to see me. Well, they don't actually come to see me. You see, for those of you who don't know, my dad is the Bishop of the Laconia Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and every 3rd Sunday night he holds a Bishop's Youth Discussion (BYD for short) in our home. I sneak in and listen, and soak up all the pats and hugs I can get. As you can see, I'm getting quite a bit of attention here! And this is just half the group! Can you tell I just love these kids? They're the greatest! Hope ya'll have a great week. Rocky

You Won't Believe This One!

Howdy Folks!
This is me last weekend trying to catch up with my dad who was in the paddle boat over at the Iacopucci Resort. The water was nice but it would have been more fun if someone had actually been in the water with me. It's probably my last swim for the season -- we may get a frost tonight! It sure cools off fast up here in NH! I'm sure swimming days are no where near over in NC.

I want to thank all of you who leave me comments and I can't wait to meet ya'll. Now I know some of you have said my blog has brought a tear or two to your eyes. Well, get the whole box of tissues out for this one. My story can't even compare to this one here that my dad shared with me. It shows you just how amazing dogs can be if they are just given a chance. Click on this here link, and if you don't have a tissue handy, it's not because I didn't warn ya. Rocky
http://www.faiththedog.net/video.asp

It's Nascar Time!

Yup, that's me at the Sylvania 300 right here in NH! I know, I know -- I look a little small next to that sign, and that's not even the big sign at the main entrance. But I wanted you to see these nice new signs. Mom says this Mr. Smith guy has really spiffed up this place since taking it over. I never saw it before but it sure looks pretty now! I'm not surprised, after all, now ya'll know I come from Nascar country, right? That's right, Mooresville, NC -- Earnhardt country to be exact. You can't get any closer to Nascar than that! And when it comes to racing, they know how to do things right down there. So this is a big howdy to all my fellow NC Nascar fans!

When my mom started telling me about all the big rigs pulling into town from Conover, Concord, and all those places, man, I just couldn't stay away. I had to at least make an appearance, so my mom and dad took me down so I could show-off my Nascar pride. I know it's hard to see it, but I'm wearing a real nice bandanna -- white with a big orange #88 on it for Dale Jr. Now, tomorrow's Sunday, so I won't be at the race, but I'll be able to hear it from my yard and I'll be wearing my bandanna showing my support for Jr.

Maybe it was the bandanna, I'm not sure, but everyone who saw me was saying how nice-looking I was. These guys here even let me join in on their tailgate party! How cool is that? Check 'em out -- my new friends from Nova Scotia -- Nascar fans and dog lovers, too -- doesn't get much better than that!

Vendors were inviting me into their tents and everything! Then I saw this here #3 blanket that I really, really, really wanted for my bed. But my mom said Buddy and Sadie would be way too jealous if I came home with a new bed, so I had to settle for just a picture of me in front of it. It's pretty, eh? (Picked up the "eh" from partying with my Canadian friends.) I just know I'm gonna to be dreamin' about this blanket, why I'd probably feel like I as right back in Mooresville, if I had this for a bed. Well, maybe next year...or maybe I'll ask Santa Claus!

Hope ya'll had as much fun today as I did! Oh, and don't forget to root for Jr. tomorrow! Rocky

It's Official!

I made it! I'm officially a TDI Certified Therapy Dog and an AKC Canine Good Citizen. Imagine, all those letters after my name -- who would have thought this a year ago! Well, I haven't actually got my ID tag or my special jacket with fancy patches yet, but I did pass my test! Tonight was the night and mom said I passed with flying colors! I thought she was sad when I finished the test because she started to cry, but then she told me she was so happy because I had come so far from being shot with a BB, lost in the woods and sick with heartworm to now being a Therapy Dog. I owe this all to all of you who wished me well, said a little prayer, and especially to my special angels in North Carolina -- Bob, Denese, Marilyn, the unknown girl who first rescued me from the woods, and the vet staff at Animal Hospital of Statesville! And, of course, Sheila. I hope I have done you all proud! Mom got a special cake and Tex's mom, Renee, brought sparkling cider to mark the occasion and also honor all service dogs that served at Ground Zero and the Pentagon 7 years ago today. My Aunt Mary also brought me a special gift -- a BBQ ribs chew toy. She said she knew I was missing some of that Southern BBQ and she was right! Joining me in getting their TDI certification was my new friend, Tex, a chocolate lab from NY and NH (more on him later); Moose, a chocolate lab from VT, and Quimby, a terrier from Peterborough. They are all there in the picture with me, along with others who helped out with the testing. Special thanks to Carolyn Bancroft, who certified me. I had a great time and even better times lie ahead as I carry out my mission in life. Rocky