03/09/2022
On Monday, we had to set our sweet Rocky free. After 2 years of battling Laryngeal Paralysis, it was time to make the call. Compassion and love for an animal also includes the toughest decision: to let go when quality of life is gone.
Rocky was with us for almost 7 years. We got him from the Humane Society in Colorado Springs when he was 5. His previous owners provided no medical records, said he "loved to play Frisbee and be in his crate in the bathroom ". I can only imagine the kind of life he had :(
At the shelter, he came down with a severe case of kennel cough that almost killed him.
We found him the day he was cleared for adoption.
From day 1 on, he was the sweetest, most gentle pup ever. He learned that walks/hikes were awesome, water was fun, that it was encouraged for all dogs in our house to be on the couch and on the bed, that he wouldn't ever have to be in a crate again. He experienced lots of love and adventures.
Once he got too sick to go on walks, we got him a little old companion so he wouldn't be alone while we walked the others. We cooked meals for him for 2 years and found helpful medication to ease some symptoms. My husband built ramps around the house and in the yard, and even installed temporary carpet in the kitchen so Rocky wouldn't slide.
Every day, I spent time sitting on his doggy bed with him and show him love. He enjoyed the walks through the yard, his favorite over the past years was stuffing his face in to the snow.
We had quite a few scares over the years when we thought it was time to make the final call. However, he kept showing us he still wanted to live. This changed over the past weeks, and Sunday night it was clear we had to make preparations.
On Monday, a wonderful vet came to our home and Rocky passed calm and peacefully on his favorite bed with lots of love and some last bites of chicken.
