Rocky’s Happy Tail: A Bond No One Can Take Away
April 24th, 2024
By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager
Keeping an open heart was an important part of Sydney’s career as a social worker – and fortunately for one older pittie ready for his second chance, her heart was wide open the day she visited her local animal shelter.
“Rocky is my emotional support animal; he helps with my C-PTSD. I know it’s unusual for a 22-year-old to adopt an older dog, but I connected with him. Seeing him grow, and rehabilitating him after years of abuse; it’s a bond no one can take from us. I’ve taught him that he won’t get punished if he throws up. I’ve taught him that there’s always more food if he wants it. I can take him places now and he’s starting to not be scared of being left alone. I love this dog so much. Even with his quirks, he is my baby boy.”
After eight years of enduring abuse and neglect, Rocky (full name: Rocky Bobo) had hit the good boy jackpot. Sydney was patient, gentle, and loving. He had been treated like he was nothing, but she only saw his unlimited potential. In less than two months, he was putting on weight, enjoying physical therapy for his old bones, and excelling in his emotional support training with Sydney.
Of the many health issues Rocky left the shelter with, the strange growth in his mouth was the only one Sydney’s love and attention didn’t seem to help. The growth made it hard for him to close his mouth and chew on things, including the delicious treats he got in his new home, and it bled with every bite. Even though the growth had been there while Rocky was still in the care of the animal shelter, the shelter couldn’t provide any assistance with removing the growth now that Sydney had adopted him.
Sydney was shocked that the veterinarian’s estimate for Rocky’s growth removal surgery equaled a full month’s rent. Time was of the essence at his age, especially without knowing if the growth was cancerous, so waiting to save money wasn’t an option. She wasn’t going to give up on Rocky now when he was just beginning to trust her; the moment they connected at the shelter she knew she would do anything for her baby boy to have a good life. And as any social worker knows, help is out there if you know where to look.
She found the RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant program online and applied immediately. Finding out her application had been approved brought a mix of feelings: she was grateful Rocky would have his surgery, but she was apprehensive he would be diagnosed with cancer. Either way, she would love him through his treatment and cherish every moment they got together thanks to the On-Call Angel who made his grant possible.
After Rocky had the growth removed from his mouth, he could finally chew on any toy and treat he wanted without pain. Sydney didn’t know how long it had been since he could. Unfortunately, once the veterinarian biopsied the growth, they determined it to be cancerous. Further testing revealed that the cancer had spread to his jawbone. Treating it would mean removing Rocky’s mandible entirely, and he would never be able to play or chew the same again. Sydney wasn’t going to put him through that. It broke her heart to know that someday soon she would have to say goodbye to Rocky even though their story together had only just begun. Her only comfort was that his story wouldn’t end alone at the shelter.
Not every Happy Tail has the happy ending we hope for, but Rocky will spend his days being loved and spoiled in a way that just a few months before he never would have known was possible – much less something he deserved. Sydney’s open heart gave Rocky a second chance. Because of your open heart, this family can make the most of it.
Thank you for helping us make a life-changing difference for pets like Rocky Bobo and bringing this family from crisis to care!
