01/29/2026
“Everything Fell Into Place”
“The Stars Aligned”
“It Was Meant To Be”
“Fortune Smiled Upon Us”
“It Was Serendipitous”
“The Universe Conspired In Our Favor”
****SPOILER ALERT****
Rocky was officially adopted last night, January 28, 2026. The following story is how it all unfolded:
On Monday, January 26th, I drove to Phoenix with Rocky to the Veterinary Neurological Center for a consultation regarding his injuries. Meanwhile, Laurie, Cooper’s Co-Op Kennel Master, was heading to Mesa with Momma Nita and Ruby for their spay appointments. The original plan was for me to meet Laurie, hand over Rocky after his consultation for her to transport back to the Co-Op, and then I would run errands in Mesa, including a stop at PetSmart of course, while waiting for Momma Nita and Ruby to complete their spay procedures.
However, I decided to leave Rocky at the Center for radiographs, an MRI, and a CT scan. This meant he wouldn't be ready to go to the Co-Op until later that afternoon. Since I couldn’t transport all three dogs in the late afternoon or make another three-hour round trip, I asked if Rocky could stay overnight and I would pick him up the following day.
The imaging results indicated that spinal surgery would be the best course of action for Rocky, with an estimated cost of $10,000. Unfortunately, these are not funds we have available at the Co-Op. After discussing alternative care options besides surgery, it was decided that Rocky would be on strict crate rest for at least 30 days. He would then return for a follow-up to assess the condition of his destabilized L6 vertebra and the progress of its self-stabilization. This extra time would also allow me to try and raise donations for his surgery or try and find a medical-inclined rescue.
Since it was decided he would stay overnight, that's when and why the "Best Thing Ever" happened. A Veterinary Technician fell in love with Rocky during his overnight stay. Had he not stayed, he wouldn't have found his furever home. His adoptive parents are familiar with special needs dogs and already care for three other dogs in their home. They were committed to giving Rocky the best they could, which included proceeding with the spinal surgery, which is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, January 30th.
I'm truly amazed and incredibly grateful that this all came together for Rocky's benefit. I'm at a loss for words to express my immense gratitude to everyone who has stepped up for him. I appreciate all the donations and the grant from the Two Pups Wellness Fund. Even comments of support and reactions to posts are incredibly encouraging, as not all support needs to be financial. I hope to share more updates about Rocky's journey with his new parents and his new furry siblings.
Go Rocky Go
