Rocko Boy

 (Let me start off my saying I treat my animals like my kids, so this might sound crazy to some people.)





"Rocko"



We decided very last minute to go out shopping on New Year's Day evening.  I can vividly remember walking back into the house to get something and seeing Rocko standing there, looking at me almost like "why are you leaving me here?" We had just come back from vacation the day before and he didn't understand why we were leaving again. I told him "See ya in little but, be good, love you buddy" and I walked out. Driving away I had this feeling inside me to turn around, I didn't tell Travis and now I wish that I had.

When we got home, everything was normal. I got out of the car and immediately noticed our front door was wide open. **We live in the woods, in a somewhat rural area, we used to leave our doors unlocked all the time, because no one really knows there are houses we ours is at** I had Travis go in first, just in case. Nothing was wrong all the bedroom doors were still shut, but Rocko was gone. He has gotten out before, but always comes right back. We had been gone about 2 hours at that point. So we called and called his name, and heard nothing.  I went to get the kids ready for bed and Travis went to look for him. He called less than 5 minutes later and he said "Rocko is no longer with us" I didn't process it. Travis likes to joke, so I thought this is a joke. I heard his truck pull up and was in Hayden's bedroom. I thought he is going to come in and I will hear Rocko right behind him. I heard the door open, I heard Travis and no Rocko. Then it hit me.

I came into the hallway and saw Travis' face and I knew, this was no joke. I literally fell to the ground. I felt like someone just took my legs out from underneath me. How could this happen? Why did this happen?

Travis found him on the median of the road that the property backs up to. In between our house and the road is a big church. The road is a pretty busy one and it is a long ways from our house. Whoever hit our pup, didn't stop or even slow down. It makes me sick to think about it...how could anyone be so cruel. I called my mom in hysterics and they came over right away. My dad confirmed that Rocko had passed away. It was my worst fear, and my fault. I was the last one out of the house. Why didn't I lock the door? Travis's dad came over to pick Rocko up and take him to a friends vet clinic to have him cremated for us. I am so thankful for that.

While we don't know why he left us in such a tragic way, Travis and I both and hanging on to that this happened for a reason. We don't know the reason and we probably won't ever know it but God has a plan.

I miss him every single day. It is getting easier to a point. The first few nights were really bad. I would lay in bed a swear I would hear his collar jingle. I would think he is going to walk up any minute and life will go back to normal. The hardest part is hearing Kelsey say I miss Rocko or Hayden walking around asking us Where doggie? It breaks my heart.

Rocko was my dog, he loved me more than I could have ever loved him. He slept on me, he protected me and he knew when I needed him close to me. I couldn't leave a room or even walk across one without him following me. One day I hope to see him again. ( I fully believe all dogs go to Heaven) I know it he watching over me and my family and will protect us from a far. I love you Rocko- boy and we miss you more than you would ever believe.