Rocky Tex Thiot
February 14, 2006- November 12, 2020
Early in Ricky and Becky's married life, before children joined their family, a small, fluffy white ball of fur came as a Valentine gift to Becky from Ricky. He was a beloved member of their family and they both grew to love him very quickly. The first time I met Rocky was when they moved from Idaho to Texas and brought him with them. When he arrived, he had red orange feet from when they let him out on their way in the red sands on their journey. He instantly found a place in my heart as my first grandpup. We had occasion to tend Rocky when they went out of town and we always enjoyed having him around. When Brooklyn born about a year later, she too grew to love Rocky and he her. She loved playing with him and he was most patient with a little ear tugging or tail pulling. They were fast friends. Addison joined the family two years later and she too loved Rocky and they were good buddys too. Three years later, while making preparations for Miss Harper to join the family, Becky sewed the most incredible drapes for the nursery I have ever seen. They were white with ruffles on top of ruffles. Becky worked for hours on these darling drapes and I even got to come one day and help finish them up. When Becky hung them in Harpers nursery, which had formally been the guest bedroom and Rocky's room, Rocky went in and made his mark of piddle on those beautiful drapes. After all the time and energy Becky had invested in those drapes, that was it and Rocky was no longer welcome in their home. Ricky was asked to take Rocky to the Animal Shelter. Ricky called me from the shelter in tears asking if Dad and I could possible give Rocky a home until he could find a better place for Rocky to stay. I said "Yes" and that was the day that I broke all my promises of never having a dog. You see, I was not really a dog person. We have had cats in our family and each cat has come to us, we've never gone looking for a cat, but somehow, we've had them. I always thought that dogs were too much trouble or too much responsibility. Cats were more independent and can be left home alone for a day or two where dogs need to be let outside and fed and walked and loved daily. This was a new adventure for Dick and I and the funny things was, we both fell in love with Rocky at our house. Rocky's piddling problem was not left in Mansfield where it started but continued and so I sewed him a few pairs of what we call Man Pants. You would stick a sanitary pad inside and wrap it around
this middle and if he had accidents, they were trapped in his pants. Ok, this is more information than any wants to read, but I wanted to remember when Rocky first joined our family. It's been 8 years that we've had him and he has surely worked his way into our hearts. About a year ago, Rocky started to really slow down. Our daily walks became shorter and some days, even ended with me carrying him for part of the way. I didn't mind, I loved him and enjoyed holding him. Then as he continued to age, we could tell he wasn't feeling well. He spent most of his days sleeping during this last few months but continued to wake up at 4:00 in the morning for a trip outside and then he was ready for breakfast. Quite an early bird Mr. Rocky was. Dick was usually the one who would jump out of bed and let Rocky out and feed him. The last few weeks, Rocky's interest in his food was gone. He usually would gobble it up, but lately he just left it in the bowl. Dick had said to me several times over the past month that he felt like it was time to let Rocky go to heaven. You could tell he was not felling good as he laid there moaning and it was soo hard for me to even consider that. Friends of mine had recommended a service that could come to your home and administer a drug that would send that little guy to heaven. I even got brave one day to check on it and I just couldn't do it. On Thursday, November 12th, Dick and I together took Rocky to the vet. Dr. Brewer took a look at him and agreed that he had in fact had a great life and that the quality of his life was limited and it might be a kind thing to say Good bye to Rocky. Dick and I had a prayer in his car and both felt that this was the best They took Rocky and gave him an IV in his leg and invited Dick and I to come into the room and gave him a shot to relax him. He laid right down and looked to be asleep. Then the Dr gave him the med that stopped his little heart. We were right there with him and he was so brave. He didn't cry or anything he just slipped off to sleep. This has been hard, but I know Rocky is up in Puppy Heaven running around without his man pants on and having the time of his life. He really was a blessing to our whole family. When Skyler told Elinor that Rocky had died, she said "Rocky loved me and he made silly noises". She was right. Rocky loved all of our grandkids. It was only Mister Max when he was a little guy that he took a nibble of. He was sorry I'm sure but couldn't resist. Max, I understand as Rocky has bitten me several time recently. I'm sure it's just because he was feeling so poorly and trying to tell me to watch and listen to him and be able to let him go. After many prayers, that's what we knew was right for Rocky. My heart is sad and I came home and packaged up his left over food for a friend and washed his dog bed and toys. Rocky, thanks for proving me wrong that I really am a dog lover, at least a Rocky lover. We will always remember the love you gave to our whole family. We love you Rocky!
