People often say that good things come to those who wait, but is that always the case?
For an eight-year-old dog named Rocky, happiness seemed elusive despite his long wait. After enduring a lifetime of hardship, Rocky found himself at a shelter with no one to save him and facing the possibility of euthanasia.
Though the odds were stacked against him, Rocky managed to hold on.
Image Source: TikTok
In February 2024, a TikTok user known as ‘Shelter Dogs of AZ’ shared a heartbreaking video of Rocky, a black-and-white dog who waited daily by the shelter door, hoping for someone to show interest in him.
Sadly, no one came for Rocky, leaving him heartbroken.
Rocky had a history of bad luck with owners. His first owner attempted to sell him on Facebook Marketplace, and his second owner surrendered him to an animal shelter in Arizona.
These experiences took a toll on Rocky’s emotional well-being.
Image Source: TikTok
When he was brought to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control shelter in Phoenix, Arizona, Rocky began self-harming in his kennel, causing injuries. The shelter environment stressed him out, making him difficult to handle. He became reactive to other dogs and developed escape tendencies.
Katie Gerlach, who shared the moving video of Rocky on TikTok, told Newsweek, “Per shelter policies, Rocky was given a five-day deadline.”
Rocky was placed on the pre-euthanasia list, meaning he would be euthanized if no one came to save him within five days. This motivated Gerlach to share Rocky’s story on social media, hoping to find him a home and save his life.
@shelterdogsofaz #phoenixaz #az #arizona #puppylove #dogsoftiktok #phxaz #phoenixarizona #adoptabledogs #azrescue #adoptme #fosteringsaveslives #shelterdogsrock #pitbulllove #pittiesoftiktok #pittielove #shelterdogsneedlove #scottsdalearizona #scottsdale #volunteer #pitbullsoftiktok #pitbulls ♬ Somewhere only we know cover – Sofía
Image Source: TikTok
“The shelter has changed Rocky’s status, and he is no longer adoptable to the general public. He can ONLY be saved by a New Hope rescue. We need an only-dog adopter or foster + funds for a rescue to save his life,” Gerlach wrote in one of her videos.
The New Hope rescue program is designed for dogs with severe medical or behavioral issues, making them unsuitable for public adoption.
Rocky needed someone experienced and willing to fight for him.
Days went by, and no one came. Rocky became increasingly desperate as time ran out.
Image source: shelterdogsofaz
Then, just before his scheduled euthanasia, a miracle happened—Rocky was saved by a local rescue called Rescue Street.
Ultimately, good things did come to Rocky after his long wait. Despite the challenges he faced, his life took an unexpected turn for the better.
A compassionate individual stepped in to end his days of loneliness and despair. Rocky is now in boarding and hopefully will find a loving home soon.
The most important thing is that he is alive and safe. Brighter days lie ahead for Rocky.
