ROCCO

Rocco's Story

Hello! For various reasons, my family calls me “Captain Party Rock, The Banana King” (it’s a long story). But we are friends, so you can call me Rocco. I came to ARTS several months ago in quite a state of prolonged neglect. I was over 20Lbs heavier, my teeth were extremely rotten and causing very bad infection all through my body, I had pancreatitis, and I was an uncontrolled diabetic.

 

Very shortly after coming in to care I suddenly lost my vision as a result of my diabetes going untreated for so long. It was a shock at first, and I worried a bit, but I adapted really quickly to being blind. I use my patented Roomba method to figure out my surroundings, and then I’m good! It also helps me to watch out for hazards if my mom says stuff like “BONK” before I walk in to something (I stop and re-assess my surroundings), or “Big step!” before I reach stairs (I will stop and wait for help if its going down, or feel around to go up).

 

I really love squeeky toys. I love if you squeek them for me and put them down and let me find them. I do the funniest pounce on to them once I do! I am great with all other animals. I live with 3 dog friends and a cat and enjoy them all. I also like people of all shapes and sizes and ages too. Basically, I just love attention and will take it from whoever wants to give it to me! I love to cuddle and sleep with you, and just spend quiet days on the couch.

 

I like to take really slow smelly walks in safe places, and I have a backpack that will come with me that I like to ride in for longer walks with my friends. I do well when I’m home alone, I go in a kennel when I’m home alone just so I don’t accidentally hurt myself since I cant see. I just go right to sleep. I like if my kennel is left open during the day too because if my foster brothers and sisters get playing a little too rowdy I will retreat to it to have a nap. It’s my safe little cave.

 

At night I am happy to sleep in my kennel or in bed with you! I’m really good with not going potty in the house, unless someone else does it first. If someone else does it first, I make sure I join the pee party as one wouldn’t want to be a bad party guest. If that happens, my mom puts a belly band on me and the novelty wears off pretty quickly. However some of my foster siblings often make poor potty decisions, so I follow suit a lot of the time. If I live with dogs that don’t make these choices I’ll probably not do it as much!

 

I recently had my right eye removed. My left eye may need to be removed later in life, but right now it is just fine even though it is very white. That doesn’t bother me much and it adds to my charm, I think.

 

I take insulin every day to manage my diabetes, and I don’t mind it at all. My mom just gives me my shot while I am eating and I don’t even notice. I get my shots every 12 hours. I eat soft canned food as I have very few teeth left. This food is from my vet as my blood sugar was very wonky without it. Please keep in mind that soft food can get quite expensive (it is about $250 per month to feed me) when you are thinking about adopting me. This food can likely be changed to a different one later on, but please make sure you speak with your vet first for recommendations.

 

My one bad habit, is, ehem, a little embarrassing. I just cant help myself and try to hump other boys. If the other dog gives me a firm no in dog language, I will never try again. If my new dog friends don’t correct me themselves, I may need help training wise to learn that I shouldn’t do that.

 

If you are looking for the sweetest, most loyal, most cuddly little man, then I am your boy! I may be special needs, but that only makes me more special. If I will fit in to your heart and your home please reach out to the humans at and apply here

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