If you know Amy and Michael Williams, you know their hearts are full of love for animals, especially their dogs. They opened their hearts and home to Rocko, a sweet, goofy, and loving dog they fostered and then adopted from the shelter, saving him from the euthanasia list. Rocko brought so much joy, always eager to cuddle and play with as many toys as he could gather into his mouth. He truly stole their hearts.

However, this year has brought unexpected hardship. While Rocko was in their care, he darted out past Michael and startled an elderly neighbor who came to their front door. The man fell backwards and was, unfortunately, bit by Rocko. Although the bite wounds were superficial and didn’t require stitches, Amy and Michael chose to cover the neighbor’s medical bills out of love and responsibility. Michael was given a citation, appeared in court, and paid the fines. Despite facing this challenge, they continued to do their best for Rocko, even building a high privacy fence to ensure safety. They also began training Rocko to wear a muzzle after a separate incident with another off-leashed and unattended dog. Neither dog was hurt.

But things took a turn when one of their neighbors turned against them, rallying others to take more legal action. This time, Amy received two citations, and during her arraignment, Michael was also served a summons. Amy and Michael fought hard to defend Rocko, including hiring a lawyer. However, after the judge heard inaccurate witness testimony and denied every motion filed by their attorney, Rocko was ultimately declared "dangerous."

The very next day, Amy and Michael had to say goodbye to their beloved boy, whom they knew as nothing but gentle and obedient. It was heartbreaking for anyone who knew Rocko. The vet who put him down said it best: "He didn’t deserve to die.”

Now, Amy and Michael are not only grieving the loss of their precious dog but also facing significant medical, legal, and veterinary bills. Their hearts are broken, and the weight of these expenses is heavy.

​​As friends of Amy and Michael, we can’t undo the pain they’re feeling, but we can support them in their time of need. No amount is too small, and any help will ease their burden. Please consider donating to help them cover these unexpected costs and show them they are not alone. Together, we can help them through this difficult time.

Thank you for your compassion and generosity.