Rocky, My Rescue Jack Russell Terrier, RIP

by Melissa Liquet
(NYC)

I found Rocky (an adorable, older, jack russel terrier) last September during a rainstorm. He was shaking, nervous, cold and fearful of people. He had this unique walking style, probably caused by malformed kneecaps and hip dysplasia but it was cute. He kind of drifted to the side as he walked.

My heart went out to him when I saw him in the rain and I ran after him. When I caught up to him, he went with me with no objection. He was tired. He looked defeated. There was a sadness about him and he appeared to have very little will of his own.

Rocky did not have a collar on but he sat on command which suggested to me that he had an owner. I tried to look for Rocky's owner by putting signs up but a few days after I put up the signs, they were all ripped down. It would appear that Rocky's owner lived in my neighborhood and did not want him. I couldn't understand why. He was so cute and no trouble at all.

I began to wonder if he was abused as I soon noticed that he always averted his eyes and when he had accidents, he went to great pains to hide it or control where he did it. On the rare occassion when he would lose bladder control, he always urinated on or near his pillow or his food bowl. One time he urinated on a blanket and I found it rolled up and hidden. I could never get mad at him. It was obvious to me that he was very nervous and that he did not have the carefree attitude of most dogs.

Rocky was very sick. His teeth were in terrible shape as if his health had been neglected for a long time. He had a heart murmur, an enlarged testicle, bad knee caps, food intolerance, blood in his stool, a growth on his side and respiratory problems. Shortly after taking him in, Rocky developed 3 abscesses. He was just falling apart on me.

In 6 months, we racked up to over 700 dollars in vet bills for Rocky and still, it is my belief, that not all of his issues were properly diagnosed and treated. But we tried our best with limited means and we believe that our love and compassion extended his life and made it a happier life in the end. But no amount of compassion was enough. Our efforts to save him could not hold a candle to the years of neglect.

Rocky died 6 months after we took him. He succumbed to respiratory difficulty. We miss him greatly and plan to honor his memory by eventually getting another jack russel rescue dog. Still we know, that no one could take his place.

We love you Rocky. Rest in peace baby. ~Melissa & Steve