“A Fighter” – Rocky’s Happy Tail

By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager –

“Rocky got his name because when he was born, his umbilical cord was wrapped around his back paw. We thought he would lose his foot, but he fought through it, and it didn’t hold him back. He’s been a fighter, always overcoming tough situations.”

Fourteen years ago, Taryn’s cat gave birth to a litter of kittens. They kept one, the little fighter named Rocky. Along with fellow cat Tyson and dogs Kai and Riley, he was family to Taryn and her daughter. Her daughter was 11 years old when Rocky was born, and he quickly became her constant source of love, comfort, and stability. He is her safe space; he helps her cope with and manage her anxiety, bringing her a sense of calm.

“He means the world to our little family.”

Rocky was still a mischievous kitty despite his age. He had been stuck in a tree for longer than Taryn and her daughter knew when they finally got him down. She knew that his misadventure must have affected him, but she wasn’t expecting to find him bleeding in the kitchen the morning after he was rescued. Rocky wasn’t injured, but he did have kidney stones that were causing him immense pain and discomfort. Their veterinarian sent them home with pain medication and two weeks’ worth of antibiotics, asking that they follow up once they’d finished the course of antibiotics. He was also put on a special prescription diet that would prevent future kidney stones. After the two weeks, however, there was still a chance he would need surgery to remove the stones. When his follow-up appointment came, Taryn was disappointed to hear that poor Rocky would need surgery after all.

Taryn and Rocky needed an On-Call Angel, someone to help them in their hour of need. When she applied for a RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant, she laid bare how much it hurt her family to see Rocky suffer, and how meaningful a grant would be:

“I’m reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for help with an urgent and unexpected surgery for our cat Rocky. He is part of our family, and this situation has put us in a difficult financial position. I am disabled and recently got laid off from my job, and my daughter is the only one working to support us at this time. We are on a limited income and are seeking help for any kind of assistance with the cost of the surgery. Rocky is very special to us, and especially to my daughter. We are doing our best to stay strong, but we’re asking for any assistance available to help us give Rocky the care he needs. We would be deeply grateful for your support.”

With help from their On-Call Angel, Taryn was approved for an Urgent Care grant quickly and was able to bring Rocky in for his kidney stone surgery without delay. He might not be feeling up for another tree adventure any time soon, but Rocky’s surgery was a success, and he was recovering smoothly.

“Thank you for checking up on Rocky. He is doing great. He got his stitches out, and he is super happy to get the cone off his head. He is back to being a rambunctious cuddlebug. He is now eating his new diet food to help prevent this from happening again. Thanks again for all your help! ❤️”

Every Urgent Care grant saves a pet like Rocky’s life and gives them more time with loving families like Taryn and her daughter. Thank you for helping us keep families together in their hour of need!