Rocky Represented

Although he couldn't travel to Pittsburgh for our wedding, Rocky was there in spirit ... and on top of our cake!

4th of July

Rocky celebrated the 4th of July with some of his favorite friends: Badger and Chip.  

Rocky Learns to use the Doggie Door

Rocky now loves having his very own door in the new house.  At first though, it took some getting used to.   

Rocky's Second Birthday

 Rocky enjoyed his second birthday while chomping on raw meaty beef ribs that DLG bought for him at the meat counter.

Rocky hangs out after our couple's shower

(Photo taken by Wendi!) 

Unfortunately, since Christmas it seems Rocky's blog has taken a backseat to wedding planning.  Rocky is of course still having a good time and is looking forward to celebrating his second birthday in a few weeks -- we just haven't made time to document his latest adventures.  Last Friday night he enjoyed partying at his friend Badger's house during our couples wedding shower. After a long night he curled up on Badger's couch to get some rest.  We had a fantastic shower, thank you to our wonderful friends for hosting - ya'll are the best! 

Christmas

Rocky enjoyed another Christmas with his family in South Carolina and Pittsburgh.  He had so much fun playing with all of his cousins he didn't want to come home!  In Pittsburgh he finally got to see some real snow and hang out with his Great Grandma Sue.

Rocky's First Snow

It's snowing in Houston!  

The Great Pumpkin!

Happy Halloween!!!

Pumpkin Patch

Rocky helped us to pick out the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween.  

Rocky learns to use a Mac

I finally got a new computer yesterday - mine has been broken for over a year and I've been "sharing" DLG's with him and overloading it with photos of the dog!  I've never owned a Mac before --today Rocky and I discovered the web cam and many other features the imac has to offer.  

Daisy Remembered

The Montrose Vet Clinic has always provided fantastic care for Rocky and the doctors and technicians on staff were truly exceptional when caring for Daisy right down to her final moments. They involved us in the entire goodbye process - allowing me to hold Daisy while she drifted to sleep. As you may know, Hurricane Ike hit Houston less than 24 hours later and the Vet Clinic was closed down for over a week after the storm. We were surprised to find a sympathy note -without postage - in the mailbox just two days later from Dr. Dodge, Daisy's vet. It must have been hand delivered! Then yesterday we received a plaster cast of Daisy's paw print, hand painted and sent to us by the Vet Clinic. They must have taken her print just before she was put down. Although it made us so sad to touch her tiny little paw print we are so grateful to have this lasting memorial. What a wonderful surprise. I can't recommend our Vet Clinic highly enough!

Rocky's new look

While David and I vacationed in Jackson Hole, Rocky spent last week at his vet. David assured him it would be just like going to summer camp. Apparently Rocky developed seasonal allergies while at "camp" and also came down with a slight staph infection right on the top of his head. We were in for a surprise when we picked Rocky up yesterday and saw his new hairdo! A portion of his head had to be shaved to expose the infection in order for it to heal. Rocky seems very happy to be back home and is spending his leisure time chasing squirrels and catching up on some much needed rawhide chewing.

Hurricane Ike

Rocky experienced his first hurricane as Ike roared through Houston Friday night. He was a little bit frightened by the noise but otherwise seemed to enjoy hunkering down with his friend Kady, me, DLG, and our friend Falene who took shleter in my apartment. Here are some before, during, and after photos of Rocky's hurricane experience.

Our Little Daisy 6/24/08 - 9/11/08

On Thursday September 11, 2008 we layed little Daisy to rest; she was 12 and 1/2 weeks old. Although she put up a good fight, early last week Daisy began to have seizures - one of the worst effects of canine distemper. This indicated that the sickness had spread to her brain and that she would continue to suffer from neurological complications throughout her life. Following our vet's recommendation we made the inexplicably difficult decision to put Daisy to sleep. Here are a few final photos of our little puppy taken as we said goodbye. Although our time with her was far too short we will always be grateful for the gift of Daisy in our lives.

Labor Day Weekend

Rocky is enjoying a relaxing Labor Day weekend - Saturday night he snacked on a football shaped doggie pastry while watching the Clemson/Alabama game.

Daisy seems to have improved over the past week. She continues to eat and is responding well to her medication. She still lacks energy, has a bad cough and runny nose, and almost constantly sleeps.

Daisy's sickness

Daisy began to feel sick on Saturday morning and her condition worsened over the weekend. We thought she probably had kennel cough but when David took her to the vet this morning we learned that she has a severe upper resperatory sickness. Preliminary diagnosis is that she has pnumonia or canine Distemper. Distemper is a highly contagious viral disese which is often fatal. When an animal does survive she is often left with neurological disturbances. It is too early to tell whether Daisy is going to pull through her sickness or not but we remain optimistic. We opted to try to nurse Daisy through her sickness at home and our vet provided us with antibiotics, subcutaneous fluids, and a high-calorie food. So far Daisy is responding well to the treatments and is eating the food - a really good sign. We are keeping her in teh bathroom and running the shower to create a steamy atmosphere to help loosen her cough. We will keep you posted on her progress.
Though he has been vaccinated, Rocky and Diasy will have to be kept apart for a while for his protection. Keep Daisy in your prayers.

Heavenly Father,you created all things for your glory and made us stewards of Daisy. If it is your will, restore her to health and strength.Blessed are you, Lord God,and holy is your name for ever and ever. Amen. -- Franciscan Animal Blessing

Meet Daisy!

We finally decided on a name for the new puppy: Daisy.

a little sister for Rocky!

Meet Rocky's new little sister - also an Australian Shepherd mix. Eight weeks old and only 7 lbs, we are fostering her as part of Houston's BARC (Bureau of Animal Control and Regulation) "foster to adopt" program under which we can fully adopt her once she has been spayed. She is feisty and fidgety and does not like to be held- just the opposite of Rocky when he was a pup!

Rocky's first tropical storm

Rocky experienced his first "hurricane day" last Tuesday when Tropical Storm Edouard made its way across downtown Houston. With work canceled for the day, Rocky, David, and Rocky's grandparents (who'd come down for summer vacation) and I watched the Bayou fill with water (see photo).

Rocky's 4th of July

Rocky celebrated the Fourth of July at his friend Rover's s house eating hamburgers and hot dogs and relaxing by the pool. Later that night he watched fireworks from Buffalo Bayou Park in the Heights.