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Rocky
This breed looks like Golden Retrievers. I have a dog whose name is Rocky. Rocky is from the breed Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. It was an experience when I first walked Rocky his first walk.
Rocky is a very energetic and smart dog who is often very fearful of people that are not family. This goes back to how we found him. It is a story that starts with pain and ends in an unexpected way.
How Rocky was found?
Being just a puppy of 5 months old, Rocky was laying on the ground near a pharmacy in our neighborhood.
One day, after receiving a call from my dad’s friend, the pharmacist, about a puppy who was tortured by children, my dad went to see the puppy for himself. He found a tortured small puppy that had marks of a tied up neck with a rope.
The little puppy was very afraid and whenever my dad tried to come near, the puppy would stay away and back off. But my dad came up with an idea. He went up to our house and brought food specifically large shredded pieces of cooked chicken.
As my dad put the food in front of the puppy, the puppy began to eat and eat all of the chicken. My dad then went to get a second refill. The puppy finished eating again.
My dad knew if he left the little puppy, the puppy will either continue to suffer all the time or worst, die. So my dad decided to take in the puppy.
How Rocky was taken?
To take the puppy in, my dad got a leash when he went to bring the food. As he got near the puppy, the puppy backed off. So my dad waited until the puppy finished eating.
As my dad sensed reassurance from the puppy side, he got the leash and put it around the neck.
A trip to the vet
After that, my dad took the puppy to the vet. The puppy took all necessary vaccinations and flea and tick treatments. My dad then went home where he got the inspiration to name the little puppy, Rocky.
My first interaction with Rocky
The abuse that Rocky suffered made the Rocky afraid of everyone. As a consequence, he would bark at anyone other than my dad. So the first couple of months, we, as a family, tried to get Rocky to relax around us.
Step by step, we succeeded in gaining Rocky’s trust. Rocky began to play and sit with us. We could pet Rocky and the puppy was happy. However, when it was time for his walk, Rocky only allowed dad to take him out. Rocky has built a very deep and loyal relationship with my dad.
My first walk with Rocky
Years later, my dad got sick; he had a stroke. We went to the hospital where we stayed with our dad. My dad was in the hospital for days which meant when we got home, someone had to take Rocky for a walk.
So I got the leash and decided on trying my first walk with Rocky. As I put the leash, Rocky fought back and didn’t want to go out. I tried to reassure him and kept petting him but still Rocky didn’t move.
So I tried one last time and kept on pushing him toward the door. Once we were out, Rocky started to walk toward the elevator. As we went out of our house, I could see him feeling happy yet terrified.
As we moved, Rocky walked for a bit. I could still sense his sadness but Rocky was convinced to continue walking. Rocky then chose areas to potty in. After he finished, he turned back and headed home.
Rocky didn’t continue his walk. He was sad. The day after, I got Rocky and took him out. For the first time, he didn’t struggle and went with me. As I walked with Rocky, he continued walking all the way toward the end of the walk.
Little by little, Rocky began to feel more comfortable around me. For these days where my dad was sick, I would put food for Rocky and would walk him. I would also sit with him more and pet him a lot.
My dad then got better and he came back home. When Rocky saw my dad, he gave him the biggest of welcomes and hugs.
Now, either my dad or I can walk Rocky and Rocky isn’t afraid anymore of me anymore.
