17/11/2024
Rocco 🤍 A story of love…
Rocco was a boy we saved from euthanasia back in June 2021. He was e-listed after a near bite toward a man during a meet and greet at the shelter. Being a black, male pit bull, he reminded me of Ringo, a black male pittie I couldn’t save in 2020 because I didn’t have my own rescue. One look at Rocco’s eyes and I knew he was meant to be ours.
Rocco was a sweet, but sensitive boy. He was head shy, wary of men, and not a fan of other dogs. But he stole my heart. There was something in those eyes of his that I knew just begged to feel safe and loved. We put him through training with CharlieBar Boarding and Training but he spent months in boarding at Heidi's Village while we tried everything to get him adopted. Black dog syndrome is real, and being that he was also a sensitive boy and selective with people, especially men, failed multiple meets, it seemed near impossible to find him a home.
Until one day…
One day, on Jan. 5, 2022, a man named Henry came to meet Rocco. We met at the boarding facility, and I was everything but hopeful. Henry was an older man, a veteran, who lived alone in an apartment. Rocco, who didn’t like men, was a pit bull who surely wouldn’t be allowed to live in his complex. But Henry was a friend of a volunteer, and something in me just couldn’t say no to at least trying a meet.
Guys, I will never forget that day that Henry met Rocco. Rocco chose Henry the moment he saw him. Literally picked him as if he’d spent the last 6 months waiting for him to come [and intentionally failing all his other meets bc they weren’t Henry]. Henry handled the first moments perfectly — ignoring Rocco at first, walking next to him, respecting his space, and allowing Rocco to approach when he was ready. When we stopped in the field next to the facility, Rocco went between Henry’s legs, sat on his feet and allowed Henry to gently pet him on the head. I could barely get him up to walk back to boarding. My heart burst that day.
We put Rocco back in training for some brushing up and Henry learned all the things he needed so the two of them could be the best they could. Knowing how this dog would change Henry’s life, Henry’s doctor wrote an ESA letter to get Rocco past the breed restrictions at the apartment complex. A few weeks later, they were home, together.
Rocco and Henry were each other’s everything. I mean that in every sense of the word and in a way that no words can actually describe.
When Henry fell on hard times and they lost their home, I’ll never forget that phone call either. Bc Henry didn’t want Rocco living out of his truck with him in the heat of the summer, he called me. We put Rocco back at and did everything we could to help Henry. Getting Rocco back was the driving force that pushed Henry to get back on his feet. After about 2 months, they were back together again, in a new apartment. Henry told me the day he picked him back up and Rocco flew into his truck is a day he’ll never forget.
Last weekend, we unexpectedly lost Rocco. He had been in and out of the vet a few days before due to some coughing. (Thanks to all of you, we had continued to cover all of his medical expenses over the last 3 years.) I still don’t have exact answers, but we suspect his valley fever had actually returned and landed somewhere we hadn’t yet found. Rocco passed peacefully on his couch at home, after having lived a life filled with so much unwavering love.
I wanted to share all of this bc for me, Rocco’s story embodies everything we hope and dream of for all the dogs that come into our care — that they find a home who loves them so much that they can’t imagine ever giving up on them, no matter what ups and downs life might bring. Rocco never lived in a mansion and never had his own backyard. But his life was rich in love and happiness, and I know he crossed the rainbow bridge with a heart full of peace and contentment. He left this world knowing nothing but love. That is my dream for all of them.
Rocco, you will be forever missed, and your legacy will continue to inspire more than you’ll ever know. We love you sweet boy. Always + forever 🤍