Senior Dog Adopted At 17 Lives Long Enough To Welcome His Baby Sister
Rocky, a 17-year-old shelter dog, touched the hearts of a kind young couple who chose to adopt him despite his age, wanting to give him the love and care he deserved.
In his new loving home, Rocky thrived and held on just long enough to meet his baby sister before peacefully passing away.
Adopting A Senior Dog For Christmas
This Maryland couple had a deep love for shelter dogs. Each winter, they would visit a local shelter to donate blankets, aiming to make the season more comfortable for the dogs.
In December 2015, right before Christmas, they went to Anne Arundel County Animal Control in Millersville, Maryland. That’s where they met Rocky.
At 17 years old, he was frail and gray-faced. Beth couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Rocky to die in a cage. She told her husband she wanted to bring him home. He agreed, and just like that, Rocky found a new family.
Thriving In His New Home
Despite his old age, Rocky thrived in his new home.
The dog they took home was nothing like the one they saw at the shelter. Rocky turned into a loving companion, always ready to cuddle or simply be near his new family.
As time passed, Rocky grew weaker. His legs could no longer support him as well as before. His owners helped him with the stairs, and instead of walking, Rocky enjoyed basking in the sun in the backyard, always keeping his owners company.
Rocky Survived To Meet His Sister
In 2016, Beth discovered she was pregnant and was ecstatic.
Initially, Rocky didn’t notice much, but as Beth’s pregnancy progressed, Rocky became gentler and adjusted well to the new baby items filling the house.
In her seventh month, Rocky’s health took a turn for the worse. He started having seizure-like symptoms, and the Clarks soon learned he had a tumor and didn’t have much time left.
The vet suggested hospitalization, but Beth and her husband couldn’t bear the thought of Rocky being in a cage again. They decided to care for him at home, hoping he would live long enough to meet his baby sister.
Miraculously, he did!
When they brought their daughter Hazel home from the hospital, Rocky gently sniffed her and laid his head near her.
Sadly, later that night, Rocky’s condition worsened, and Beth and Michael knew it was time to let him go. It felt like Rocky had held on just long enough to meet Hazel, and now he could rest in peace.
After Rocky passed, Friends of Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control shared an emotional Facebook post that moved thousands to tears:
Rest in peace, Rocky.
