Rocky a ball-loving good time

My story

Rocky the name can easily give you the vision of tough guy but that is not the case here. This Rocky is bringing more rocky road vibes. A sweet, handsome, family guy who also happens to be smart, playful, and so affectionate. It didn’t take long for all of us to see he is good company!. My favorite thing about Rocky was just how easy it is to see his playful side. From the way he lit up around kids to his love of a tennis ball, he has a contagious sort of happiness. Rocky is estimated to be 1.5 years old, weighs 49 lbs, and we believe he is a Shepherd/kelpie mix but given he is a rescue we cannot guarantee either detail with 100% certainty. We do see signs of his youthful side in his playful approach to life and his perceived breed in both looks and mannerisms. Rocky is so fortunate and is currently in a foster home while he waits for his adoption day. He lives with a variety of dogs, which changes often as his foster welcomes in new dogs. From big to small and all energy levels- Rocky is welcoming and ready to play if they are. If meeting on leash his excitement spills out just a little with a bit of whining and a little bounciness. It can be cute but understandably is not always ideal so he is working on this with his foster. It feels silly to expect him to keep his happiness wrapped up but once that is over he can move on to his favorite part- play. This is a boy that would thrive in a home with at least one playful dog to bounce around with. If he has a playmate he will be so happy and he can read other dogs well so if older, less playful dogs are around, he will respect that. Rocky also loves a tennis ball! Something I personally discovered too late to actually see if he knows fetch, but he has all the makings of it so if he doesn’t, he will with a little encouragement. While he is chasing the ball you will get a great view of his adorably perfect, Dorito shaped triangle ears! I was personally a little obsessed with them. On top of his friendly and affectionate nature, Rocky knows a few basic commands and is treat motivated, meaning he is ready to learn more. He knows, sit, down, and I’m almost positive shake- as well as responds to his name, coming when called. Being in a foster home has allowed him to learn and practice all the best manners and skills a house dog needs. This also gives us a true, front row seat, to his personality. His foster family has nothing but praise for him, sharing how fun he is and how friendly he is meeting new people, from little kids to older folks. They also shared that he is great in the car, able to load up on his own and typically happy to just soak up the sights once you hit the road.. On top of all that, he is both house and crate trained! Hello dream boy! Rocky’s ideal home would be a semi-active one, where hikes and adventures are a regular occurrence. Kids who love to play and want a tag-along pal will love Rocky and he will be in heaven with them. I was spending time with Rocky one afternoon and he could hear kids outside and it was easy to see he really wanted to be out there with them, so we invited them in and my goodness, it was magic! He lit up and everyone had so much fun together. He met two four year olds and an 11 year old. H definitely gravitated to the 11 year old but this may have had something to do with him throwing the ball for him. I do think his love of play would be a perfect fit for kids 7+. A house with a yard would be best given his love of play and budding fetch skills. We have heard him use his voice a little during play and the occasional whine in his crate, apartment life may not be the best fit. With a treat offered he will go right into focused-mode with an automatic sit and his full attention on you. That quality typically translates into a dog who trains with ease. The fact that he knows several commands and is consistent no matter who is asking tells us he is incredibly smart and highly trainable. We have not introduced Rocky to any feline friends, and he does not live with one in his foster home, but if you are interested we can happily arrange a cat-introduction to get a clear read on his compatibility with cats. This boy is easy-company and full of so much loyal, playful love! And even though he is playful he settles easily and contains his energy to play sessions. He is lovey but not overly pushy about it, loyal but not too “velcro,” this boy is just the best of ALL worlds! He is 100% good dog, beautiful and ready for a life of love! If he sounds like your boy, apply today! https://adopt.animalsfirst.com/animal/62cc8e128b02916730334440/6843000d691fa20ad70045b5 Questions? Email emilyparsons@threelittlepittiesrescue.org We facilitate adoptions across the US through our own internal transport to ensure the quality of care. We travel to WA, UT, OR, ID, VA, PA, OH, NY, CT, VT and Canada (Canadian adopters will need to pick up in Bellingham, WA  or Brattleboro, VT for the eastern Canadian border)! Our pups travel in comfort with 24/7 care on our USDA licensed vehicles, including buses and cargo vans. You can join along on our private Facebook event page to follow their adventure, connecting you with other adopters and providing updates throughout their transport journey! You will get to meet your new pup over a video call before signing paperwork, creating a fun and personalized adoption experience!  The adoption fee is $900 and includes all vetting (DAPP with booster, Bordetella, Rabies vaccine, multiple broad spectrum deworming treatments, spay/neuter, flea prevention, a 12 month heartworm preventative injectible, heartworm test and treatment if needed, a microchip with free lifetime registration, a high quality nylon Martingale collar, a health certificate deeming the pup healthy for travel, cost of transport*, and priceless years of love and loyal companionship!  We have over 15,000 successful adoptions so far and have excellent Google Reviews: https://g.co/kgs/UQ5Pyai We care deeply about making the perfect match between dog and family for long term success.  Our rescue has a 2 acre property in Texas where we assess every animal with trainers on staff, we modify behavior as needed, and create individualized behavior plans to help prepare dogs for their future families including crate training, potty training, leash walking, etc. Our fosters are able to attend group trainings and socialization play groups to keep dogs adoption-ready. Our on-site trainers support the positive growth of our dogs and we enjoy seeing their progress!  Our commitment to comprehensive medical care sets us apart. We've received glowing feedback from veterinarians who commend our dedication to ensuring the health and well-being of every animal in our care with treatments that often go above and beyond. Our adoption fees reflect the extensive care and resources that go into each animal we save. The adoption fee is a donation to the mission and goes far beyond getting a fully vetted pet.  The rescue’s hard costs alone (excluding transport) for a healthy dog to go through our program typically range between $412 to $859, which includes boarding, food, medications, vaccines, and spay/neuter. For heartworm-positive dogs, hard costs are upwards of $1,368. Additionally, dogs requiring extended boarding, extra training, or extra medical care—such as dental work, vision care, or orthopedic care—can lead to expenses running into the thousands. Also, included in the adoption fee are costs to cover transport up to the Pacific Northwest or East Coast. Transport is a significant additional expense to the rescue.  While adoption fees help cover part of these expenses, we want to emphasize that the rescue does not receive government funding and must fundraise to offset the remaining expense balance which ranges $100-1,000++ per animal on these direct costs. It doesn’t stop there! Our adopters also receive these SPECIAL PERKS: Extensive behavioral testing and information from trainers on our staff to ensure the perfect fit for your family  Discounts on Embark DNA test kit- $30 off of Breed ID test & $50 off of Breed ID plus Health test 30 day trial of pet insurance with Trupanion A free private online dog training session with GoodPup, plus low pricing for future sessions  70% off of your first order of Fetch, a delicious PNW based fresh dog meatballs subscription Coupons for a fun visit to Petco 20% off of Dr. Cuddles pet first aid and hygiene solutions Discounted heartworm, flea prevention, and monthly dewormer  Access to our exclusive FB Adopters page, where you can network for play dates, resources, and connect with other adopters that share their passion for their adopted pup! Did you know that the Greater Houston area faces some of the highest stray and overpopulation rates in the nation? We are a non profit charity. Our goal is simple— to reduce the homeless pet population through community outreach, free spay and neuter services, and by rescuing animals from the streets or overcrowded shelters where euthanasia due to lack of space is often the only option. The dog you've found online is not only lucky to be in our program, but also incredibly fortunate to have caught your eye. Thank you for considering adoption and for joining us in our mission! Follow our rescue journey and connect with us on our website and social media platforms. Together, we can make a difference, one adoption at a time. https://www.threelittlepittiesrescue.org/ https://www.facebook.com/threelittlepittiesrescue https://www.instagram.com/threelittlepittiesrescue Ready to welcome a new furry friend into your life? APPLY TODAY and become a hero for pets in need! *Due to the rising cost of fuel and transportation expenses, there will be an additional $74 surcharge for transport. DISCLAIMER- Breed type is determined based on general appearance and behavioral characteristics, and cannot be guaranteed unless DNA test results were provided at intake. Texas local adoption! All adoptions within Texas must be picked up from Friendswood, Tx.!

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Rocky a ball-loving good time, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.