Rocky (Rockstar) 🦖

Do you have a soft spot for our furry friends with special needs? This darling boy will melt your heart from the moment you meet him.

Rocky is our 5yr old Staffordshire Bull Terrier with a heart of gold....he's now been in care for 6 weeks and learnt/experienced so much during that time. He now knows what it feels like to relax without the constant irritation from fleas biting his skin, flies biting his ears, and scratching his fur off due to the constant itch. He now feels loved.

NEW HOME REQUIREMENTS - Rocky needs to be very much involved in your life and allowed to live both inside and outside. He would love a doggie companion (a senior dog would be perfect), but not too young and playful. He will need a fully fenced secure yard and a home where he wasn't being left for hours on his own. Those who work from home, semi retired (or fully retired) and have the time and patience to continue on with his training are encouraged to apply. Experience with traumatised dogs would be helpful.

Our vet has confirmed that Rocky has a congenital spinal fusion of L6 and arthritis in both hips. He walks with his back legs bent and more than likely due to one or both of the issues mentioned above. He doesn't appear to have any pain at this point, but this may change as time goes on. At the moment, he has joint supplement powder added to his food each day.

Rocky is now living both inside and outside as part of the family (more so inside) and toilet trained. He's a very nervous boy around people and will take some time to trust you. He gets along great with the other dogs in his foster home and very submissive. He is better suited to medium/large dogs and looks to them for guidance, often following their lead. We have also noticed during his time in care, that his eyesight is not 100%. He will often nudge at things (or 'boop' as his foster carer calls it) as if he's checking where things are (this includes the dogs).

So what has this boy got to offer.....First and foremost, unconditional love. Once trust is gained, he will be your shadow. He is crate trained at night and will call out to let you know if he needs to go outside for a wee. He's a great listener and has quite good recall. Rocky is now learning to enjoy his walks and does walk well on lead. He was petrified of all the loud noises from traffic and other people approaching him, for quite some time, but that too, is all in the past and he trusts that his carer will keep him safe. He loves his food and treats and is very gentle when taking food from your hand.

Rocky is definitely cheeky! He thinks laying on tables, chairs and other furniture is acceptable behaviour. But the moment you say 'Rocky get down', his 4 feet will be just as quickly, on the ground. There is no need to raise your voice at all, as he's always listening. He also loves to take things of yours that you may leave laying around...but don't worry, he won't chew it. Instead, he will prance around in front of you with it hanging out his mouth....very proud of his efforts, before dropping it on the floor when asked to. Rocky loves getting attention from his trusted humans, so if he's feeling left out or ignored, he will 'talk' to you and try and communicate what he wants.

Rocky has touched the hearts of everyone here, especially his foster carers. They have devoted so much time, love and patience into rehabilitating and teaching him. He has so much potential and whilst we understand that it may take some time to find that perfect home, he deserves nothing less and won't be going anywhere until we find it.

Rocky is located in Tumbi Umbi on the Central Coast NSW.