Vote For Rocky in the @HumaneSociety World #SpayDay Pet Pageant

Rocky didn't want to be left out of the whole vote for me game, so I've entered him in the Humane Society's World Spay Day Pageant 

If you recall, Rocky was the original Stray in the Hood.  All head last summer, this little guy was responsible for stealing my mom's news paper.  He would eat treats out of my hand through that fence, and he introduced us to Nala. (his girlfriend) 

Now he's our handsome boy who loves a belly rub and would give up most things just to sleep on the sofa. (most things, not treats or food) 

Rocky really loves Precious, I even noticed him being protective of her when he though she was

not happy at doggie day care.   Precious didn't care for him at first. He was just too clumsy for her.  Now she tolerates him and secretly likes having a big brother. 

Rocky and Nala are best of buds and are pretty much inseparable.

Strays in the Hood: FIN. Rocky's Finds his Furever Home

I'm very happy to report, Rocky is on his way to Norman, OK with his furever dad.. Gabe.

I'm especially happy because Gabe is family.   Gabe is our cousin,  and he fell in love with Rocky's photos even before we knew Rocky would ever come around.

It wasn't easy.  Rocky played a little hard to get at first, but it was easy to see that Rocky and Gabe will be best buds very soon.

Gabe and Rocky played in the backyard for a while.  Rocky even let Gabe give him a belly rub.

All set up for his ride home.  Rocky in his bed, with a KONG with some good frozen peanut butter and cookies.

Congratulations Rocky and Gabe.  

We'll see you both at Thanksgiving!  

Rocky Montage:

Strays in the Hood: Rocky Update

Hey Pals,

I haven't been posting updates about Rocky because 1. He's spoken for. Our cousin in Norman, Ok wants him when he's ready.  and 2.  While Rocky was the first dog to warm up to us, he's been the last to fully come around.  

Rocky's first time in the house, He went straight to the couch.

Truly the rebel, Rocky would come over to eat, sleep in our garage, leave us nice gifts in the backyard (poop joke), but we couldn't get him to stay around at night.  He would sleep and eat here, but at night, he'd jump the fence to our neighbor's yard.  

After Deuce found his furever home, we've been able to spend more time with Rocky.  Before, we had to shuffle them in the house, garage, and backyard.  Deuce and Rocky didn't get along so well.  But Rocky and Nala are best buds, so keeping him in the family is so exciting. 

Man, do we need another one of these beds

The big challenge has still been how to make Rocky stay overnight and not want to escape.

We realized that him sleeping all day, left him pretty restless at night.  Since he's not in love with the leash, going for a walk with him is not an option.   

He didn't like the soccer ball, all of the stuffed toys would be quickly de-stuffed, but we did learn he likes squeaky toys. 

Yesterday, I bought a KONG Extreme for him and a KONG airdog bone and I'm happy to say, both worked.

He stayed there for a few seconds.  Mr. Restless just couldn't stay still for too long.

During the day, I'd purposely wake him up to play, Brought Nala in and out of the yard, so he'd get excited and want to play.  I froze some of his favorite treats in the KONG and waited.

Last night, I gave him a KONG and Nala her KONG.  She got busy on hers, he was still pretty fidgety, but he noticed how much fun she was having.  A nice growl from her let him know he was not going to get hers. 

 As I was ready to go to bed.  I grabbed his KONG and put it in the garage.  We didn't hear a peep from him.  He scratched on the door @ 3am.  I think to remind me that I'd left the light on.  I turned the light off and we didn't hear from him again.

He's had breakfast, and is now in the backyard with Nala (napping).    I know these are baby steps, but whew what an awesome baby.  

Strays in the Hood: Look who's wearing a collar.

We were finally able to get a collar on Rocky.

He's still not quite ready for the leash or staying in the backyard for any period of time.
Baby steps.

Update 10/4/2012.  Rocky came by this morning.  The collar is gone.  :(  He stayed in the backyard for a few hours with Nala, but he jumped the fence.  Not sure we'll ever get him to come around.  We'll keep trying.