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Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.
This is a true story by Sue Calver.
As consciousness returned, an intense pain on my side was the first thing I became aware of.
Confused, I attempted to piece together how I ended up in this situation.
My last clear memory was of taking our dog, Rocky, for a walk, nearly home. Everything after that was a haze.
I found myself on a hospital stretcher, with my husband, Paul, by my side in the hallway.
He inhaled deeply before telling me I had been struck by a delivery van. While I was stunned by the news, a bigger question loomed in my mind.
Having left home without any identification, how had Paul been alerted to the incident? Who had informed him?
His next words were incredibly moving.
It was the loss of our cat, Jess, in July 2022, that had led us to seriously think about getting a dog.
‘The only reason I’m here is because Rocky came to get me,’ Paul revealed.
‘He was howling outside our front door, and when I noticed you weren’t with him, I grabbed his leash, and he guided me straight to where you were on the road.’
Hearing this, tears began to well up in my eyes, as the magnitude of his statement hit me.
Our family hero, a rescue dog, indeed rescued me in return.
Long before we considered expanding our family, our old and treasured cat, Jess, shared our home.
It was the silence left by Jess’s passing in July 2022 that nudged us toward the idea of adopting a dog.
“Our house feels so empty,” lamented our sons, Alex, 25, and Joe, 21, a sentiment I couldn’t help but share.
Preferring to adopt rather than shop, I was drawn to the idea of giving a home to a dog in need. That’s when Rocky, initially called Rikki, entered our lives.
After reaching out to various adoption agencies to no avail, I connected with Animal Adoption International.
They introduced me to a dog from Bosnia in desperate need of a loving home.
Despite Rocky’s unusual appearance for a cockapoo, with his short legs and robust frame, I fell for him the moment I saw his big, expressive eyes.
Jane, who fostered dogs, including Rocky, shared his heart-wrenching backstory of neglect. Learning about his past only solidified my resolve to adopt him.
Our first meeting with Rocky at Jane’s was nothing short of magical.
As soon as the door opened, I was on my knees, greeting him with a stroke of his brown and black fur. The connection was instant.
A short walk later, with Rocky happily letting Paul and me lead, Jane saw his choice was clear. Rocky had chosen us.
Even though we had paperwork to complete, the decision was made. Rocky was coming home with us.
Yet, his name sparked a playful debate between Paul and me, leading to his new name, Rocky, inspired by a light-hearted reference to a TV character.
At home, Rocky wasted no time getting acquainted with his new domain. Alex and Joe were immediately smitten with our newest family member.
Integrating Rocky into our lives, we soon discovered his unique quirks, like his musical duets with Paul’s bagpipe tunes.
His protective nature, especially towards me, was evident from the start.
This protective instinct was put to the test one December afternoon.
After enjoying our usual walk, we were nearing home when disaster struck.
I was hit by a delivery van, catapulting me through the air, while witnesses and the shaken driver rallied to my aid.
It was then that Rocky, acting on instinct, raced home to alert Paul.
I have no memory of the incident, waking up later in the hospital to learn about my injuries and Rocky’s heroic actions.
“He’s fine,” Paul assured me when I inquired about Rocky, recounting how he barked relentlessly as I was loaded into the ambulance.
Discharged from the hospital after six days, Rocky’s jubilant welcome home was a moment I’ll never forget.
“Rocky!” I exclaimed. “What a clever boy you are. You’re my hero.”
Rocky’s vigilance heightened after the accident, refusing to leave my side.
The aftermath of the accident revealed the van driver’s claim of not seeing me, prompting a decision against pressing charges in favor of him undergoing a driving course.
Despite ASDA’s acknowledgment of liability, an apology from them remains absent as I navigate the legal pathways for compensation with my solicitor.
The ordeal was both traumatic and enlightening, highlighting my fortune in surviving and having Rocky by my side.
He may have been the one we rescued, but in my moment of need, he was my rescuer.
You can follow Sue on Instagram here
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