Seemingly forgotten and alone at nearly 20-years-old, one special dog was offered a new start.
Rocky joined owners Beth and Michael to comprise the Clark family at age 17. Immediately in love with Rocky, Beth told TODAY, she knew she couldn’t leave him behind. “I saw this gray-faced, skinny dog and I said to my husband, ‘We’re getting him,'” said Beth. “I was not about to leave that old man to die in a cage.”
Today
They brought Rocky home and helped improve his health condition. What the couple didn’t expect was for the senior rescue dog to add so much happiness to their lives.
“Rocky made our life very complete,” Beth shared. “He loved dancing with us and being near us… As the year went on, it got harder for him to climb the stairs and go on walks, so my husband would carry him up the stairs every night just so he could sleep next to us, and instead of walks we just sat outside in the sun together.”
Today
Rocky also had the opportunity to pave the way for the family’s latest miracle, baby Hazel.
When Beth miscarried in 2016, Rocky served as a large comfort. He then took Beth’s pregnancy with Baby Hazel very seriously.
“Rocky didn’t really notice until I started showing, but he was so gentle with me and he adjusted really well with all the baby stuff coming in,” said Clark. “When I wasn’t feeling good, he was always near.”
Today
Naturally, Rocky was even included in the Clark’s baby announcement, with him pictured under a sign that read “Mom & Dad are getting me a human.”
Today
Two short months before Hazel’s arrival, Rocky started having concerning symptoms that led to a vet consultation. Thankfully, his symptoms improved and all moved on.
Bringing Hazel home to Rocky made the Clark family complete. “He sniffed her and placed his head near her,” Beth said. “It was beautiful, and I cried.”
Today
Mere hours after the Clarks introduced Hazel to Rocky, Rocky began acting strangely. At first, the new mom assumed he was just excited about the baby, then she realized he was more ill than ever. The Clarks knew it was time to let him go.
“I called a vet and that night; he went peacefully with his family by him,”Beth said. “We loved him more than words can describe and we still have a very hard time adjusting to him not being here.”
Although it’s never easy to say goodbye, the family will always cherish their memories of Rocky and forever be grateful that he got to welcome their sweet baby home.
The couple believes that Rocky held on to his life just long enough to meet his baby sister.
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