AABR Boxer

Rocky went to Rainbow Bridge on August 5, 2012 as a result of respiratory failure. He passed away in my arms as I covered him with kisses and told him how much I loved him. He came into AABR in 2009 with a large mast cell tumor on his leg which had already spread to a lymph node. His prognosis was grim until he was seen by a wonderful veterinary oncologist, Dr. Gerry Post, who put together a plan to treat Rocky’s cancer. Not only did Rocky handle his medical treatments like a champ, he became a Rockstar. Wherever Rocky went he drew crowds and won people’s hearts with his wonderful spirit, gentle nature and lopsided ears. He was a great ambassador, not only for Boxers, but for rescue dogs everywhere. Rocky's greatest joys were his daily walks and meeting new people. He joined me on AABR home visits and fundraisers, attended Broadway Barks in NYC (where he was so popular they put his picture on the banner above the stage the following year) and he even went kayaking with me. Rocky & I visited Dr. Post every 2-3 months to monitor Rocky’s health and at every visit we celebrated his progress - they even created a video featuring Rocky’s amazing story as a cancer survivor.

All too often, we have to send out an urgent plea for someone to foster a dog we are desperately trying to get out of the shelter. In October of 2009, such a plea went out for an emaciated 8 year old boy, Rocky, with a grapefruit-sized tumor on his leg. That was the day Rocky's life changed forever. His rescue soon became one of our great success stories. Two things made this possible: donations and an optimistic veterinary oncologist, Dr. Gerald Post. Rocky saw 4 separate vets in his first month with AABR and all recommended euthanasia... except Dr. Post. He helped us develop a treatment plan that included a new chemotherapy drug, Palladia. Now, a little over one year after starting treatment, Rocky's "tumor" is only 1 cm by 1 cm!!!! If you look back at his first pictures you will see how amazing this is. Not only did we bring Rocky back from n! ear death, but we gave him the most amazing life possible. In the ti me he has been with AABR, he has been in the news, on stage at Broadway Barks in NYC, attended a ballgame at Citi Field and has even gone kayaking!!! He is loving life and his story is one we will be telling for years to come. He shows us that we can change the world for any dog regardless of health or age. Please consider donating in Rocky's name for all the future dogs like him. With a little support we can give these dogs a second chance.

Rocky has been in his new foster home since May and is doing wonderfully! He gets along great with my two Boxers and makes friends with everyone he meets - human and canine alike. Simply put, he is a joy to have around. In July, Rocky attended "Broadway Barks" (an adoption event in NYC) and was on stage with several Broadway actors - he was a hit and stole the show! Everyone loved him, of course! Rocky is currently on maintenance therapy to prevent a relapse - this involves oral medication and monthly visits to the vet to monitor his bloodwork and overall health - and I'm so happy to report that Rocky is doing fantastic. Please consider sponsoring Rocky by making a donation to help cover his medical costs. Your donations make a huge difference and help give dogs, like Rocky, a fighting chance.

Six months after coming into AABR's care, Rocky is still waiting for a forever home. His foster mom is in medical school and is unable to keep him past June, so we are hoping someone sees his story and wants to give this special guy something he deserves more than anything- a family to love him unconditionally. He is the type of dog that can fit into ANY home. He loves to be around kids, even little babies. He is also good with cats, dogs of any size or gender, and even pet birds! Every day I look at him and see how much Rocky's life has changed simply because AABR thought he was worth saving. All he needs now is a family to spend his golden years with. This is where you come in. If you want to play a role in this amazing story of survival apply today... Rocky can't wait to meet you!

I AM READY FOR MY FOREVER HOME!! Great news - after all the generous donations and help from AABR and our supporters, we think Rocky's cancer is in remission!!! The vet says that what is left of the tumor on his leg is most likely all scar tissue. Knowing that he now has the life expectancy of any spry 8 year old boxer, we are actively looking for a forever home for Rocky to spend his golden years in. This guy would really be perfect for just about any family, from first timers to old pros. He continues to win the hearts of literally everyone he meets.

Here is some more info on Rocky so you can see how easily he can fit into your life: He is just about the perfect gentleman. I take him everywhere with me because he is so well behaved. He can go to anyone's house and be comfortable. He is good with kids, cats, dogs, crowds - everything! This is the dog you can take to a child's soccer game and know that he will happily greet everyone there with a wiggle and nub wags. He never jumps up, so I can trust him around the young and the old. He rides perfectly in the car, even on long journeys. I can leave him for hours and come home to find not a paper out of place in my apartment. He does not bark, even though the dog downstairs barks constantly. The best part about Rocky is this little dance he does when you come home, its pure joy that he has a family and a warm place to sleep. I literally can not say one negative thing about this dog.

Please consider adding Rocky to your family - he is an extremely easy dog with a winning personality...what more could you want??

Rocky came back from his 2 week stay at the specialty vet hospital today and let me tell you- they were sad to see him go. The staff there said he was a "celebrity" there. He stole the hearts of the entire place. Apparently, when he walked through the halls everyone would stop him to pet him, talk to him, and generally obsess over him. I have never seen such a response to a dog as I have seen people have to our Rocky.

I have a donation can at the coffee place in my town and it has been getting a great response- over $150 dollars in less that a week! Next week I am going to take him there and sit with my coffee for a little meet and greet.

In terms of the cancer we won't really know how well it is working until a few weeks from now. It does look smaller to the eye and the lymph node had decreased in size 30% at the end of last week. He will continue to receive chemo and we will just keep fingers and paws crossed!!

It is a such a shame that a special guy like this is still looking for his hero. If you want a "celebrity" in your house apply today!

We could use help with Rocky's medical expenses. Any size donation will be appreciated! Maybe you could put a donation can for Rocky at your work place!!!

Rocky Balboa always came out on top. When the chips were down, when the future looked grim, Rocky Balboa tightened his gloves and went to work. And because he had such a wonderful group of supporters, he always won.

Our Rocky might not be so lucky. After his family lost their home to a fire, Rocky was moved to a friend's backyard where he lived and grew emaciated for 3 months. The small growth he had at the time of the fire grew and grew. By the time his owner surrendered Rocky to a kill shelter in Philly, the mast cell tumor was very large, and Rocky's chances were quite small.

We are putting meat on Rocky's bones, but he's got a Grade 2 tumor. The cancer has spread to his lymph nodes. But just when you think the news can't get any worse, here comes the good news: there is treatment. It's only Grade 2. You can save him.

Rocky Balboa was a charming character, great with people, a winning personality, somebody you want to win and above all a fighter against the odds. So is our Rocky. He has survived what a lot of dogs couldn't and come through it without an angry bone in his body. He's not just another bum from the neighborhood. But his treatment is expensive, around $5000 for a course of radiation that could put Rocky back at the top of his game. He needs people in his corner. He needs an Adrian, a Paulie to love and support him, and he needs a Mickey to give him hope. He needs help, and you can do it, as you've done it in the past. You've always been there for our special needs dogs. Will you show up for Rocky? Can you go the distance with him?

Rocky was put out of the house when his owner's house burnt down. The owner went to live with a friend and left Rocky to fend for himself on the streets for 3 whole months before finally turning him in to the shelter. Rocky is severely underweight and has an awful coat due to no nutrition and a hard life on the streets these past few months.

Rocky is so incredibly sweet!!! Your heart just melts when you meet him. He is a super happy and loving boxer. The shelter had decided to euthanize him because of lack of space, and thankfully an employee made a desperate phone call to our rescue in an attempt to save him. I'm so glad she did. This dog is amazing. I was fully expecting to see a sad, old, worn out boxer when I went to pick him up-- but it turns out what I was greeted with was a happy, wiggly, excited, playful, and sweet as can be boxer! This boy has so much life, it truly touches my heart.

After we get some much needed weight on him, he will need to undergo costly surgery. It was found that he had swallowed some metal - what looks to be a belt buckle! He also has a mass on his front right leg that will need to be removed, as well as his neuter surgery. If you cannot offer a forever home for Rocky, please consider making a donation on his behalf - to help out with his surgeries.