Retired disabled military dog Rocky dies if not adopted; served three tours in Iraq

Pets for Patriots ^ | 8/17/2011 | ??

[blueyon]

Rocky is a retired military dog who will be put down on August 24 if he’s not adopted. He served three tours in Iraq and desperately needs a loving home to enjoy his final years. Pets for Patriots is responding to a request to help create awareness of this veteran’s plight. We have spoken to authorities at Camp Pendleton and confirmed this story.

Rocky currently lives at Camp Pendleton, his home base since entering the Marine Corps in 2004. He served three tours in Iraq between 2004 and 2007 as a patrol and explosives dog, and returned to the states after his last handler was killed in theater. Since then, he has not had a steady handler, but has continued to serve on base until March of this year. By that time, a degenerative condition rendered him unable to work and he was retired. Typically an ex-military K9 will be adopted by his handler, but Rocky has no handler to call his own.

[Kartographer]

Rocky has not been adopted yet, you can visit the website http://www.lackland.af.mil/units/341stmwd/index.asp to begin the application process.

[tob2]

You are right. There are rescue groups for almost every breed of dog. This one is special and should not be put down.

[rabidralph]

There is no program except what volunteers put together. Last I heard, it costs several thousand dollars to return a dog from the theater if he doesn’t go home with his handler. Otherwise, they’re left in the war zone.

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

Any idea’s?

Excellent use of an unnecessary apostrophe!

Try this next time:

A'n'y i'd'e'a's'?

[the OlLine Rebel]

Degenerative Myelopathy - oh my. This poor dog who served so well.

Looking for adopters - he will be put down very soon.

GERMAN SHEPHERD PING LIST

This is a low-volume list………so don’t worry!

(Please Freep-mail me if you’d like to be on or off the list.)

[Secret Agent Man]

Screw having to set up another government overseen ‘program’.

This is the military. Simply make a standing order that when a retired service dog doesn’t have a handler to adopt them, the base commander adopts the dog. If they already have an adopted dog, the next in line in the chain of command adopts the dog. Good for morale, good to keep the top brass remembering about those under them that have done their jobs.

[chrisinoc]

I will ask the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County if they can save Rocky.

[patriot08]

They should have something set up for these poor animals. They didn't ask to be sent to war. It is SHAMEFUL that they would even consider putting these dogs down because they have no home to go to.

[Revolting cat!]

A'n'y i'd'e'a's'?

Correction's (if you dont mind):

Any i'd'e'e'r's?

[Ramius]

I believe hip dysplasia is very common in shepherds. One of the unfortunate artifacts of centuries of interbreeding.

[Immerito]

The base kennels are not suitable to provide the type of ongoing care and attention that Rocky needs and deserves. And without an individual or family to adopt him, he will be put down. He was recently featured in an article about military dogs enjoying a bright future after service, but that’s not the case for him.

Because Rocky is a retired patrol dog, military protocol does not permit him to be surrendered to a shelter.

Like most military working dogs, Rocky is independent, but he has a sweet temperament and enjoys relaxing in the sun. As a result of his disability, he uses a canine wheelchair and needs assistance to do “his business.” He would do best in a family that can devote a lot of time to him, and that has no small children or other animals. As with many military canines, Rocky shows slight dog aggression. More than anything, Rocky needs someone who honors his service, and who will love and accept him.

Rocky’s known medical conditions:

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/Enlarged prostate
Mild hip dysplasia L coxofemoral joint, grade I
Bilateral coxofemoral DJD (mild)
Bilateral neurologic defecits rear legs – degenerative myelopathy
Pressure/kennel sores

If you or someone you know has a big heart for this dog who put his life on the line for our country, please contact Camp Pendleton directly and immediately if you have questions about Rocky:

Spc. Joseph Ramsey: (760) 725-5527; email: joseph.t.ramsey@us.army.mil

Spc. Jade Clarke: (760) 725-5527; email: jade.clarke@us.army.mil

If you’d like to adopt Rocky, please fill out an application online. This will take you to Lackland AFB, which processes all requests for military dog adoptions across the United States armed forces.

[Shadowstrike]

And I agree with you.

[LucyT]

.

Ping.

.

[Secret Agent Man]

I agree, my solution does exactly that. Without having extra bureacracy involved.

[CSM]

“As a result of his disability, he uses a canine wheelchair and needs assistance to do “his business.”

I was about to jump on it and give him a great home, but I have to many stairs in my house....I am sure that the FReeper community will step up.

[MountainDad]

Excellent use of an unnecessary apostrophe!

Oh crap.... Busted by the punctuation police!

[blueyon]

“I will ask the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County if they can save Rocky.”

Please let me know what they say...I so want this dog to be saved

[CSM]

Some good news:

“Due to the high number of inquiries about Rocky, we have been informed by Camp Pendleton that he will not be put down while adoption applications are pending. We are told that there are several families already in the adoption application process for Rocky.”

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

Oh crap.... Busted by the punctuation police!

Typical response. You should be embarrassed. You're a grown man that can't even write.

I mean seriously, idea's?

What the hell is wrong with you. What fool puts an apostrophe at the end of the word ideas?

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

Correction's (if you dont mind):

Any i'd'e'e'r's?

Thanks! That way it's misspelled and with all the look-how-smart-I-am apostrophes!