Three years ago my beloved Dalmatian, Jazz, passed away. He and I spent 11 years running, traveling, living, and loving with each other. I matured as a person through my twenties with that dog, so it was very difficult to move on after his death. Two years of mourning passed slowly, but I finally began to emerge from that dark place toward the light of the possibility of getting a new dog. I spent a year watching dog adoption sites, visiting shelters, etc., but I just never felt a connection with any pooch I met. I began to think I would never find another Jazz.
Then in January 2007, my husband and I returned home at 2:00 a.m. after a night out with friends. We climbed into bed, and I brought my laptop with me for some late night Web surfing. By chance, or destiny, I decided to search through the adoptable dogs at Rocket Dog Rescue. A little guy named Junior stood out immediately. Without hesitation, I wrote an email to inquire as to his availability and to set up a meeting. To my surprise (I thought he was too perfect to still be homeless), his foster mom wrote back. The following Monday night, my husband and I made the drive to San Francisco and met Junior. When I bent to greet him, he placed his little paws on my knees and began wagging his nubby. I looked at my husband and told him Junior was the one. We just happened to be the first people to write about this recently rescued puppy, so we got each other that week!
In the year that we’ve spent getting to know this little guy, a lot has happened to him and us. First, we renamed him Monkey (fitting his silliness better). Second, he started daycare and became a favorite of both his caretakers and doggie pals (he’s extraordinarily loveable). Then we got pregnant and moved to a house with a yard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Monkey was ecstatic and quickly took to ruling his new yard. Also, he began playing ball with a passion. He has excelled beyond any dog ballplayer’s wildest dreams – he could seriously play for the Giants (well, he can’t bat the ball, but he’d easily take to the outfield). Monkey also spent 40 weeks protecting and warming his mommy’s new baby. When our little Claudia was born, he further proved his greatness by becoming the most careful, gentle, and protective big brother a little sister could want. We’ve spent the past five months getting back in shape together and raising our new family member. Monkey has been there every step of the way; he’s pulled us out for walks/runs daily and has already taught Claudia a few new words like woof, bow wow, and grrr.
So needless to say, after a rocky ending to a past love, my family and I have wonderfully returned to a magical life with a dog. I could never thank Rocket Dog Rescue enough for all it does and for rescuing little Monkey. Not only has this organization changed/saved the lives of hundreds of pooches, but it hass bettered the lives of many humans as well. Heartfelt thanks!