GreyTzu Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Rocky came home in Sept of 2000, two months before Kevin and I got married. He was a pet store puppy, the oldest one in the store. We had always walked through the store in the mall and always petted the ‘Tzus. We had noticed one black and white Shih Tzu because of uneven size of his left eye. He always stood out and we remembered. As other puppies arrived and left, this puppy stayed and grew. One day on a whim, I made an offer on him. The gal and I went back and forth for a few rounds and I ended up bringing home a 6 month old Shih Tzu puppy on Saturday afternoon. The pet store closed on Monday. I always figured that the older puppies would have been euthanized, so I think Rocky was a rescue. I remember taking him from the mall to Petsmart to get him a collar. I put him in the shopping cart and headed in the store. As I was looking at collars, he was pooping through the cart. I glanced around, grabbed a collar and the dog and headed to the cashier. Yeah. I left the cart and poop on the floor. Cleaning the floor was no problem, it was the cart I didn’t want to deal with. At the time, we had two greyhounds, Dancer and Dylan, and James Dean, also a Shih Tzu. JD was thrilled to have another dog his size in the house. The cats were non-pulsed at another dog, but Zena, Warrior Pussycat, made a point of making sure the little dog knew she was top cat. Kevin and I kicked around names for a few days. Since JD’s name had evolved into James Dean, we thought Rock Hudson was a perfect counter-point. Rocky was eventually registered as Diamond L’s Rock Hudson with some generic dog registrar. I can’t even remember the name, I think it was ACA or something like that. The “papers” never meant anything to us anyway. We had him neutered a few months later, so his “genetics” were of no importance anyway. Rocky fit well into our home and loved to play tuggie. He had the fiercest growl of any little dog ever. Swear to gosh, that if you heard Rocky growling at a tuggie without seeing him, you would think there was a 90 pound beast in the room. A few months later, Rocky welcomes two more greyhounds, Dixie and Donner, into our home. He was the perfect gentleman with two more big dogs invading his space. Everyone settled into our home and we melded into a family. For a while we had an elastic cat toy hanging from the hall closet door. Zena never played with it, but Rocky loved it. He would grab it, pull and growl and let it go so it would bounce around and start the process all over again. No stuffie was ever safe with Rocky around. He was a hoarder and collector. Dixie loved stuffies also, but even she didn’t stand a chance with Rocky. It was pretty common to see Dixie grab a stuffie and drag Rocky down the hall as he tried to wrest it from her jaws. In reality, Dixie simply let him have it at the end of the hall. I think she just liked playing with Rocky. Rocky lived and loved with us through the passing of our first four greyhounds Dancer, Dixie, Dylan and Donner. He loved and missed James Dean when he crossed the bridge. He noticed as Zena and Aggadore went to the bridge. And he welcomed four new greyhounds, Disco, Dessie, Danger, and Deuce as they made their way into our home and hearts. He definitely spent time whipping the new dogs into shape. Rocky had no problem letting them know he was the real boss dog. And they loved him in return. Last week, he started eating less, skipping meals and refusing treats. Thursday morning I noticed his breathing was becoming labored. I called our Vet and got him in that morning. He had developed a server heart murmur. We were referred to a Cardiac Vet at the local ER clinic. When we got to the clinic on Friday, he was coughing up blood. They immediately put him in an oxygen cage and started ATB’s. X-rays really showed that he had developed “stuff” in his lungs. Pneumonia was ruled out when he did not improve over night. Any time he was out of the oxygen, his breathing became labored. The Vet felt very strongly that he had cancer. This afternoon, we made the heartbreaking decision to send him to the bridge. It is the first time I have been ‘Tzu less in about 17 years. I miss him already. I find comfort in the thought the he is pain free and comfortable again. I know in my heart that Dixie is dragging him and stuffie around again. He really was the little rock in our home. Quote Wendy and The Whole Wherd. American by birth, Southern by choice. "Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!" ****OxyFresh Vendor ID is 180672239.**** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeh2o Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm sorry you lost your sweet little Rock. He really spanned across a lot of lifetimes for you and your family. Quote Sunsands Doodles: Doodles aka Claire, Bella Run Softly: Softy aka Bowie (the Diamond Dog) Missing my beautiful boy Sunsands Carl 2.25.2003 - 4.1.2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm so very sorry. He was a special little guy. Godspeed Rocky. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm so soory for your loss of Rocky, a little guy with a big presence Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesiRayMom Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 What a handsome little man. Our sincere condolences. Quote Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm so sorry. RIP Rocky. Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryz Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm so sorry for your loss. He seemed to be quite a character. Quote Mary, mom to kitty Rebel.Always missing Sherri (SO DELICIOUS) (12/6/2005-8/29/2018) kitties Marley (4/2000-12/3/2015) and Beady (4/1998-2/24/2006) and Dalmatian Daisy (7/25/1984-5/13/1999). The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not - Thomas Jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StridersSis Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Wendy- I am so very sorry. Quote Kim, mom to Reno (Slatex Reno), sister to Daffy (Bally's Flack), Ashley and Sue (racing names unknown), and Bridge kids Strider (7/28/94-4/16/05), RW's Dallas (12/17/98- 06/26/2010), Odd Taylor (aka Lizzie), JC's Curfew (4/6/2005- 4/22/2010), Winnie(Pooh Bear)my heart dog, and Rocky the beagle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinyMityMo Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Run free little man Quote Maureen, Sean, Molly (Garnett Madonna) and Sully (Starz Top Style) Visit LongDog Leather Works for adjustable leather martingales, wrap around leather tag bags, breakaway tag necklaces and cool leather people gear. Check out our Etsy store! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm sorry for the Rocky-sized hole in your hearts. What a terrific little guy. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PhillyPups Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Wendy, I am so sorry for your loss of little Rocky. Run with the angels Rocky, and keep em all in line, you are with the very very best ~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jodyksam Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 What a beautiful tribute, Wendy. I alternately cried and laughed and cried again reading his story. The name choice certainly proved to be more than a reference to a movie legend, as you referenced the metaphorical role he truly played in your home and lives - the solid 'Rock' that was ever present in your home. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. It is a comfort to know that he is not suffering, but heartbreaking to have him gone. Sending lots of love and hugs to you and Kevin. Quote Mom to Daisy (1999-2012), LB (aka Little Bit), and Sammy James (aka Sammy or Buddy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wmlcml6 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm sorry for the loss of your little dude, Wendy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm at a loss for words. Rocky was a VSP (very special pet) but in a way they all are. Godspeed Rocky an Wendy and Kevin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm so very sorry for your loss Wendy. Godspeed Rocky. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm sorry for your loss. Godspeed, Rock Hudson . Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Wendy I am so sorry. Rocky was a character, and those are the hardest to lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Adrianne Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful little guy. I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye to him and send him on his way. It's such a tough gift to give. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollis Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 My heart breaks for you and Kevin. With angels wings baby..... Quote My sweet angel Tanner-"Showoffs Magic" 79D-82695. DOB 7/22/99. Gotcha Day 6/20/05. Bridge Day 3/11/10. Big Beautiful Brave Angel Norm-"Showoffs Storm" 89B-83263. DOB 8/16/99. Gotcha Day 3/24/06. Bridge Day 4/20/13. Angel Girl Bree-"Breezy Betty" 201A-93631. DOB 2/05/01. Gotcha Day 5/11/10. Bridge Day 10/07/11. She reached the beach.... Maci-"CF's Owhatanite" 44H-29320. DOB 10/05/04. Gotcha Day 10/11/11. Greta-"Greta's Milam" 90B-54582. DOB 9/17/10. Gotcha Day 11/30/12. Bridge Day 03/30/17. Ben-"P Kay Key Train" 63A-61271. DOB 6/2/13. Gotcha Day 12/26/15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I am so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cully Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Run free sweet baby. Quote waiting at the bridge Connie Van Teddy & Jojo, Cobra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeForHounds Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm so sorry Wendy and Kevin. I know you and the pups will miss him terribly. Godspeed Rocky Quote Casual Bling & Hope for HoundsJanet & the hounds Maggie and Allen Missing my baby girl Peanut, old soul Jake, quirky Jet, Mama Grandy and my old Diva Miz Foxy; my angel, my inspiration. You all brought so much into my light, and taught me so much about the power of love, you are with me always.If you get the chance to sit it out or dance.......... I hope you dance! Missing our littlest girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendie Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Oh Y :grouphug What a wonderful and beautiful tribute to your very special boy. I'm so sorry he had to leave you so soon and so quickly. Thinking of you guys :grouphug Quote Forever in my Heart Joe T Greyhound, Charly Bear, Angel Daisy, and Katze & Buzz Kitty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Oh Wendy, I am so sorry for your loss. What wonderful memories you will have of your boy. Thank you for sharing your photos. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggiespet Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Wendy - I'm so very sorry. What a huge personality packed into a small pup. GodSpeed Rocky. Quote http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g240/mtbucket/siggies/Everyday-2.jpgJane - forever servant to the whims and wishes of Maggie (L's Magnolia of JCKC) and Sam the mutt pup.[/b] She's classy, sassy and a bit smart assy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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