“No more dogs!”

And I really meant that 2 ½ years ago following the death of our second beloved boxer. We first had Rocky who was just a delight. Not only was he a beautiful fawn but so mannerly and well behaved. When he passed away at the age of 10, I said that was it as we now had 3 small children. However, 3 months later I met 6 week old Champ and that was the end of my resolve. He was as ornery but as lovable as they come. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t get into. What a character! But following his death also at the age of 10, I thought I meant what I had said. We now had one child in college and twins in high school and I thought our life style was just too hectic and that we wouldn’t have enough time for a dog. Then with all the kids away in college, my husband and I were going to enjoy our “empty nest”.

But that was before I discovered NBR. I was just curious when I read about the organization in ‘Dog Fancy’ magazine and never intended to do more than look. While browsing through the pictures a dog named Rocky II caught my eye. (Since we had already had a Rocky, this must have been fate). When I read his story, I was sold. I told my husband about him, showed him the article and pictures and that was it. Within the week, we had filled out the application, spoken to Dawn at NBR, talked to Rocky’s foster dad, had a home visit (a lady I work with just happens to be involved with NBR…it really was fate!) and brought our 7 year old “baby” home.

Rocky was very subdued on the ride home. He didn’t mind being petted but he just sat and looked out the window as if thinking, “Where am I going now?” As soon as we pulled into the driveway he became excited and raced for the door. Once inside he explored a little and then just settled down in the family room. For all of one day he was pretty timid. He seemed to be afraid of going upstairs to the bedrooms, out on the deck or even into the kitchen. He sat in the family room and seemed to be taking in his new surroundings. By the first evening he had taken over my husband’s lap (and he was supposed to be shy of men, so we were quite surprised), met our 19-year twins who had come home from school and quickly became a member of our family.

It’s now 6 weeks later and it’s like Rocky has been with us his entire life. His adjustment was much smoother than we anticipated and it didn’t take him long to stake out the couch for his own. He has discovered that a paw on the knee of the nearest person usually gets him the attention he is looking for; that the kitchen is a place he likes to be; and that those huge, expressive eyes will always get him the treat he wants. He has seemed to learn to trust us and his natural loving nature just shines through. He is usually left alone for about 5 hours a day but has the run of the house and has never been destructive. At first we worried about leaving him alone but being an older dog he seems fine with this time to himself to just sleep. Not only has he taken his place in our home but in our hearts as well.

Just a short time ago, I didn’t think our lives were missing anything…but that was before Rocky!