Rocky, an eight-year-old dog, waited for years, but joy never found him.
Instead, his life took a tragic turn, leaving him fighting to survive. After years of hardship, Rocky ended up in a shelter, facing imminent euthanasia with no one to save him.
The odds were grim, yet he held on.
A Grim Fate Looms
A sad dog sits behind shelter doors
In February 2024, TikTok user ‘Shelter Dogs of AZ’ posted a heartbreaking video of Rocky, a black-and-white dog, waiting by the shelter door daily, hoping someone would notice him.
Tragically, no one did, shattering his already fragile heart.
Rocky’s life had been full of misfortune. His first owner tried selling him on Facebook Marketplace, and his second surrendered him to an Arizona shelter.
These experiences deeply affected his emotional well-being.
A dog waits anxiously at the door
After being surrendered to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control in Phoenix, Arizona, Rocky began harming himself, causing injuries.
The shelter environment left him severely stressed and difficult to manage. He became reactive towards other dogs and developed escape tendencies.
Katie Gerlach, who shared Rocky’s story on TikTok, told Newsweek: “Due to shelter policies, Rocky was given a five-day deadline.”
He was placed on a pre-euthanasia list, and if no one came for him, he would be put down. Gerlach posted his story on social media, hoping to find him a home and save his life.
A Last-Minute Miracle
A small dog lies with a ball
“The shelter changed Rocky’s status. He is no longer adoptable to the general public. He can ONLY be saved by a New Hope rescue. We need an adopter or foster who doesn’t have other dogs + funds to help a rescue save him,” Gerlach wrote in one of her posts.
New Hope rescues focus on dogs with severe medical or behavioral issues, making them unsuitable for general adoption.
Rocky needed someone experienced and willing to fight for him.
Days went by, but no one came. Rocky grew increasingly desperate as he waited for a miracle, with time slipping away.
A white dog with black spots
But just before his euthanasia, a miracle happened – Rocky was saved by a local rescue called Rescue Street.
In the end, good things did come to those who wait. Against all odds, Rocky’s life took another unexpected turn – this time for the better.
A compassionate person ended his days of loneliness and despair. Rocky is now in boarding, with the hope of finding a loving home soon.
The most important thing is that he’s alive and safe, with brighter days ahead.
