Rocky

Meet Rocky—your “mini Rottweiler” in a 35-lb body, though his story is anything but ordinary. Rocky has been in our care for 455 days, and in that time he’s become something of a legend. Before rescue, he survived about a year and a half on the streets of Mississippi entirely on his own, evading capture from multiple people, including animal control officers. He learned how to survive, evade, and keep going when most dogs wouldn’t have made it. Eventually, he was caught by one of our volunteers, but his relief was short-lived as he escaped again a week later. After another capture and escape, he traveled 17 miles back to the only “home” he had known for a single week. For two more days, he was on the hunt, avoiding cars on busy roads, before he was finally tranquilized and brought to safety.

Since then, Rocky has been safe in foster care, where he has slowly learned that humans can mean comfort and consistency. He is now about 4 years old, under 35 lbs, and currently living with other dogs, but we believe he would thrive as the main focus in a quieter home. He bonds hard and deserves someone ready to give him that same level of devotion. Rocky is very attached to his foster mom and struggles with big transitions, forming deep bonds with his safe people. His next move must be his last, and we need an adopter who understands trust is earned slowly and protected carefully. He will not be moved lightly, and we won’t place him unless we are fully confident in the match. He also seems to prefer women over men and would do best in a calm, stable home with fewer pets where he can decompress and simply be someone’s dog without competing for attention. Because of his history, Rocky now wears a GPS tracker at all times. His adopter must be fully committed to his safety, structure, and containment. This boy has taken years off our lives, and we say that with love, exhaustion, and deep devotion. We adore him—he’s intelligent, resilient, and loyal—but he needs the right person to anchor his world.

Ideal Home

Rocky would thrive as the main focus in a quieter home, and would do best in a calm, stable home with fewer pets. He prefers women over men. His adopter must be fully committed to his safety, structure, and containment.

Ongoing Health

Rocky is vetted and microchipped.

Training & Support

Rocky struggles with big transitions and forms deep bonds with his safe people. He needs an adopter who understands trust is earned slowly and protected carefully. He currently wears a GPS tracker at all times due to his history of elopement.

Application Details:

• Applications start by contacting us through Wags.
• Please apply at www.bit.ly/mu-adopt and tell us why you’re the one Rocky has been waiting for.
• Completed applications take priority over Petfinder inquiries or emails.

Transporation

Rocky is currently in South Mississippi. Local and out-of-town adopters are welcome. For out-of-town adopters, we offer virtual meet-and-greets and can arrange transport to many states. The $200 adoption fee includes transport to the city on this listing. The local adoption fee for pickup in Gulfport, MS is $150.