Rocky rocks!

It's been several weeks now since the surgeries. Rocky's recovery is, I think, amazing. Our vet had warned me that immediately after the surgery I might question whether it had been worthwhile. That's because this is considered one of the most painful surgeries a dog can have, and Rocky had it twice. But from the very first, Rocky has seemed relieved and more comfortable than I've ever seen him. He's had pain for so long that the surgical pain was negligible for him; he has relief at last.

His hair is growing back but it has a ways to go, so his head still looks too small for his body. And he is a little overweight, but he's getting more outdoor time now and therefore more exercise.

He's happy, playful, deaf as a post, and sometimes stubborn, but he's easily bribed with food of any kind. Since I'm no longer flushing his ears all the time he's no longer reluctant to come to me, at least if the promise of food is involved. He loves to play with Copper and Teddy, and he doesn't even yelp from having his ears touched in play.

Thanks to the two ladies who solicited donations from their friends, and thanks to many readers of this blog, and others, Rocky's fan club raised over $5,000 to pay for his medical bills. The bill from Virginia Tech alone was over $4,400. We've had some other vet expenses associated with Rocky as well, but our local vet (Old Dominion Animal Hospital in Charlottesville) has been extremely generous with the discount they have given us for his treatment. The organization would have paid the bill without a dime being raised especially for Rocky, but now its funds can be used to help other dogs. Obviously, we can not help every dog with needs like Rocky's without the fundraising help provided by his friends, fans, and supporters.

I hope to take him out to meet his two most devoted local fans sometime soon, and I think we'll go to Sunday's VGSR adoption event in Gainesville so some folks up there can see him as well.

But the best news since his recovery is that Rocky has a new prospective home. The woman from Utah, a former VGSR volunteer, is going to drive out here mid-March and take Rocky home. This picture (left) is Rocky's soon-to-be-sister, Shika, who recently lost her older sister and would like to have a new companion. She will be Rocky's functioning ears. He may not get a break from the snow, but Rocky never minded the snow around here and he will love all the hiking that they do. He will have a wonderful home and excellent care for the rest of his life.