Thinking and Thanking Thursday Again

JUST A SHORT TIME AGO, AMY SHARED THIS EMAIL AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAD ALREADY POSTED FOR THE DAY, WE FELT THIS WAS WORTH SHARING ABOUT ROCKY

Rocky's story...

He had the promise of a forever home and a loving family to call his own; he even had a companion, Roxy, waiting for him. But, instead, our sweet rescue dog, Rocky, slipped out of his forever family's car just moments after his adoption and has been loose near Route 46 in Little Falls / Woodland Park, New Jersey ever since.

Rocky is now lost in a strange area, hungry, hot, scared and confused. Rocky is a striking Akita, white with brown markings, including a beautiful mask. He is about one year old and seventy pounds. He is loving and friendly, but leery of strangers at first.

Rocky started his journey in much the same way, as a small puppy, living in a field behind a gas station in North Carolina on the side of a four lane highway, scavenging for food and exposed to the elements. A caring rescuer, Debbie Hinton, made it her mission to help this boy. It took time Debbie to build enough trust in her relationship with Rocky and be able to bring him home.

Rocky is a friendly, loving dog, but he has to trust someone before willingly going with them. Debbie set traps, lured Rocky with food and tried to love this boy from afar. Finally, he came to her, and she brought him home to her sanctuary of sixty plus huskies and mixed breed rescue dogs.

Debbie and her husband were living their dream, and Rocky was a part of it. They had recently purchased property in NC and built two homes--one for them, and one for their rescue dogs. Their rescues have acres of land, fenced in, to enjoy, as well as a gorgeous lake with a fountain for the dogs to romp.

After Rocky's first night at Debbie's sanctuary, he decided to find "home" and escaped. Debbie was heartbroken, and searches turned up nothing. Over two weeks passed. Finally Rocky was spotted 14 miles away, back at the gas station! Debbie and her husband rushed there, and when Rocky saw them, he ran to them and knocked them off their feet.

Rocky returned to the sanctuary and became a permanent fixture for the next several months. He thrived and was so well adjusted that Debbie decided it was time for Rocky to find a family of his own.

A Pathway to Hope, the Northern Division of Rotts 'n Pups Rescue, works with Debbie to place her rescue dogs in homes in New Jersey and surrounding areas. A Pathway to Hope, based in North Haledon, is a south to north rescue, mainly for northern breed dogs, who fare better in this climate.

Rocky quickly found an adoptive home thanks to his striking beauty and friendly nature. He traveled north on a volunteer, leg transport and on June 20th he arrived at Barnes & Noble in West Paterson, the designated meeting place for his adoptive family. Rocky was off to a new life with a family of his very own until disaster struck. Rocky jumped over the seats of his adoptive family's truck and escaped out the door. He has been on the run ever since.

Its time for Rocky to settle down and find the security and happiness he so deserves, but first we need to find this boy and never let him go.

Despite the distribution and posting of over a thousand fliers and dozens of volunteers scouring the area on foot and in cars, Rocky remains lost. We have had three sightings of Rocky, two on Route 46 near McBride Avenue in West Paterson (Woodland Park) and one at the Perfect Shine car wash on McBride Avenue.

We are looking for volunteers to assist in the search effort. Please call Amy at 973-222-6464 or email at amy9038@yahoo.com.Please help us bring Rocky home, forever!

THANKS FOR READING THIS - AND PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE INITIAL POST FOR TODAY AS WELL - PLEASE DO NOT FEEL AS IF YOU NEED TO COMMENT ON THEM - I JUST WANTED TO SHARE WHY IT IS ROCKY IS SPECIAL AND DESERVES ALL THAT IS BEING DONE FOR HIM - IT ISN'T JUST FOR ROCKY BUT IT IS FOR ALL THOSE THAT GOT HIM HERE - ESPECIALLY DEBBIE AND HER HUSBAND!