Rocky’s Journey: Support Cody’s New Best Friend

From Lindsey on behalf of Cody & Rocky:

Rocky’s Story

Just a few weeks ago, a sweet, chocolate Lab was wandering through our neighborhood, Aldrich Estates, alone. No collar. No tags. Just the gentlest eyes and a hopeful heart.

A few of us women in the neighborhood got together to try to figure out what to do. The Howell PD came and we learned he belonged to a man renting a house nearby, but the landlord didn’t allow dogs, and he was preparing to move into another rental where Rocky couldn’t go either.

With the help of other tenants in the home, who graciously stepped in to translate, we had an honest conversation. I asked if I could help. He let Rocky leave with me.

I immediately called my brother Cody, who had been waiting on a list to adopt a Lab for quite some time. He got in the car and came right away. When Rocky saw him, he rolled over on the sidewalk for belly rubs. It was love at first sight.

Rocky is an older boy… we think around 6, and we realized shortly after bringing him home that he hadn’t been neutered. I clocked it, but I didn’t fully understand the medical ramifications of that. I know now.

Not long after his adoption, Rocky began having accidents in the house. At first we chalked it up to adjustment stress, but then we noticed blood in his urine. It didn’t go away. In fact, it got worse.

We took him to the vet, and then back again, and then another. After multiple exams, imaging, and a neutering surgery to address a severely enlarged prostate, Rocky is still bleeding. Yesterday a new ultrasound revealed a mass in his abdomen. The vet suspects it is a tumor.

He’s now home and on a course of steroids to see if that will help lower inflammation and he’ll undergo sedation and a biopsy this coming Monday. If it is cancer, the prognosis is poor. But we want to give Rocky the dignity and comfort he deserves… for however long we have with him.

In just a short time, Rocky’s medical bills have added up to:

-NorthStar VETS Visit 1: $580

-NorthStar VETS Visit 2: $1,070

-Howell Animal Hospital: $925

-Upcoming sedation and biopsy: cost unknown

We’re doing everything we can to give Rocky the care and love he’s waited his whole life to receive. If you’re in a position to help offset the cost of his medical care, no amount is too small, we’d be so grateful. Every dollar goes directly to his treatment and comfort.

Whether you’re able to donate, share this story, or simply keep Rocky in your thoughts, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. He may have just found his forever home, but we’re not ready to say goodbye.