ROCKYBOY

 

Rocky came into our lives in October 1999, after just moving to Las Vegas. My son Adam wanted a dog, and a boxer specifically. On the advice from a co-worker, adopting a boxer from Boxer Rescue was suggested, with the closet one being in Los Angeles. My son and I drove to select a boxer to bring home to Las Vegas, and Rocky was that boxer. After walking three different dogs at the shelter, my son chose him, partly because he was smaller and seemed easier to handle. Upon bringing him home, he fell ill, very ill. But after some great care at a vet, lots of medicine and even more love, he came through, like the champ we knew he was. My son relocated back to California after a few years, leaving me to care for Rocky. As the years passed, he became my best friend, my confidant, my walking buddy and the thing I looked forward to seeing at the end of a long day or a trip away from home. Rocky was the "ultimate" dog for me.....easy to care for, and always full of love. A good sport, he would make the trek home in the back of the SUV at Christmas so we could see all of my family. How many hotels we sneeked him in and out of.....because it just was not the same to not have him there. On September 8, 2006 our vet called to tell us Rocky has passed away that morning in his sleep. The week before he had fallen ill, and had been under the care of our vet. Away on a trip, and in constant communication with the vet, he was doing much better when we talked to them on Thursday morning. I simply did not understand how this had happened. I felt totally guilty I had not been there with him. Had I known I would have never left on the trip......he seemed to have a flu, something totally treatable. Returning home was thr hardest day of my life.....the house felt empty, and it was. That face would no longer be looking up at me, the rear end would no longer wiggle, and the snoring that I once cursed at, I now missed more than ever! If I could hold his head in my hands and kiss his forehead one last time, I would make sure he knew he was loved more than he could have imagined, and he made my life simply wonderful. I was never more grateful for my son wanting that dog, and leaving him with me to love. Rocky, you sit right above the space where you layed on your bed, in front of the fireplace with the most adorable picture beautifully framed above you. I look at it every single day...and yes I talk to you too....probably always will. Driving home this Christmas will simply not be the same......but I am sure you will be there in spirit, at least I hope you will.

 

Love,

MOM, Jeff, Adam and Andrew