The 12 dogs of christmas: meet rocky, in rescue for nearly 4 years!

It’s the holidays! The time of year for families to gather together to celebrate traditions, share memories, and make new ones. This year, as you surround yourself with family and friends, both two-legged and four-legged alike, remember there are millions of dogs in shelters, patiently waiting for a family of their own.

For some, this won’t be their first, second, or even their third Christmas behind bars.

We’re calling this the 12 Dogs of Christmas. The Dogington Post along with our friends at Wellness have joined forces to introduce you to 12 needy dogs in hopes that they’ll finally get noticed…and maybe get a home for the holidays!

Meet Rocky!

Rocky is a Black Lab Mix who was rescued by The Buddy Foundation, an all-volunteer, no-kill shelter in Arlington Heights, Illinois, nearly 4 years ago!

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Rocky is about 5-6 years old and full of life! He absolutely loves to play fetch and gets along beautifully with other dogs. He’s very motivated by treats which makes training him new tricks quite easy and fun! All of the volunteers at the shelter say he’s very smart and full of energy.

Special Considerations: While the shelter doesn’t know Rocky’s full history before he became a resident, they suspect he may have been abused by his former owner. He tends to be wary of new people and of feet, so it’s possible that he was kicked before being rescued.

Rocky may be too much for really young children due to his size, he’s about 70-pounds, and his high energy level but this guy definitely is no couch potato and needs to stay busy! He would really benefit from an active family that’s willing to take the time to train him.

Rocky would do best with a fenced in yard, and that will be a requirement of his new adopters. He could stand to lose a few pounds so someone that will walk him at least once a day (or more – he loves walks!) would be great.

Rocky plays very well with all dogs but does not like cats. He is slow to warm up to new people and may be protective of his owners. Because he is fearful and unsure of new people, he’ll need a family that understands his needs and will provide him a safe, loving environment. A family that will work to build his confidence and teach him that, despite whatever terrible things must have happened to him early in his life, he is now safe.

The Buddy Foundation have been working with a trainer to help Rocky overcome his fears and will assist his new owner in finding a suitable trainer to continue working with him.

The perfect family for Rocky would be an experienced dog owner who understands his past. They would have to be very patient and willing to spend time training. Someone that understands that Rocky has been at the shelter for way too long and will need time to adjust to living in a home – though we suspect he would adapt quickly with the right family! He would do best in a family without children, as he doesn’t seem to understand them.

Rocky will soon face yet another Christmas without a family.

Does Rocky seem like the perfect fit for your family? Here’s how to begin the adoption process:

Visit The Buddy Foundation’s website at thebuddyfoundation.org or visit them on Facebook for information about the adoption process. All people and animals living in the house must come to the shelter at least once to meet Rocky in person. It would be a good idea if they could meet some of Rocky’s favorite volunteers, too. The volunteers are more than willing to help Rocky adjust to his new family and surroundings!

If you would like more information about this amazing boy, please call (847) 290-5806, or stop by the shelter at 65 West Seegers Rd, Arlington Heights, IL.

Animal Viewing & Adoption Hours:
Tues, Thurs. & Fri: 10:00am – noon and then again 4:00pm – 8:00pm, Sat: 10:00am – 4:00pm, Sun: 10:00am – 2:00pm

Rocky’s adoption fee is $100. That includes all shots, microchip, neuter, and training assistance.

The great folks at Wellness have a mission to help you provide your pet a healthy, happy, long life through the power of natural nutrition. With that goal in mind, they’re making a generous donation of premium pet food to each rescue that’s cared for these amazing dogs for so long. And, if you adopt one of our “12 Dogs of Christmas,” they’ll send you 3 months worth of food for your newest furry family member, too!

About Wellness:

At Wellness®, we do whatever it takes to create the healthiest foods for the pets that depend on us. Food feeds their souls, sustains their lives and protects their bodies. That’s why our diverse team of animal lovers, nutritionists and vets has only one mission: To help you provide your pet a healthy, happy, long life through the power of natural nutrition. For each of our recipes we never compromise—selecting nature’s finest ingredients and combining them in exact proportions to help support your pet’s health and wellbeing. Because we’re passionately picky from the first step to the last, we guarantee our products will deliver the Wellness Promise.

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