My name is Rocket!

Rocket is definitely a little character. He is a most loving and loyal little companion and shows his appreciation for having a warm bed and good food in his belly, which appears to be something he was lacking in his previous life. Rocket was either a stray for a long time or, he was a dog that was never allowed in the home. He is still unsure of himself when he finds himself in stranger situations but once he has bonded with someone, he gives them his trust and is willing to do whatever they ask of him. He appears to favour men but is friendly with everyone. He is not a fan of other pets in the home as he wants all the attention for himself but he is fine with dogs outside the home. Rocket is approximately 3 - 5 years old and currently weighs 25 lbs.

Here is what his foster family had to say:

Rocket is an incredibly happy guy. When he first spies his people in the mornings, his whole body wags and his front feet prance with happiness. He just wants to love and be loved. He's the sweetest, most affectionate guy I've ever met. He loves his people with his whole heart and he shows it constantly. ​Rocket also never, ever barks. I've never once heard his voice. He's the most quiet dog I've ever met...until he starts snoring! Yes, Rocket snores, LOUDLY, and it's pretty hilarious!

Although Rocket is friendly with everyone and bonds very quickly with people, he was very scared when he first came to stay with us and took a bit of time to adjust to the new environment. He seems to have been a man's dog at one time as he definitely favours men and lights up when a man comes into his sight. He is however just as sweet with women and children. Rocket can be very demanding of your attention and he will paw and nudge at his people for pets and rubs. I am teaching him that he only gets pats when seated nicely, and that it's not polite to beg for attention. I am not trying too hard though as I feel that he is just such a sweet boy that he deserves all the attention he gets.

Rocket also seems to have been an outdoor dog, but he's quickly adjusting to living in a home.​ ​He does however like to have a little "nest" which in my house is under the dining room table. He is not very happy with my other little dog that keeps trying to get him to play as he finds him too intrusive and possibly is jealous of the attention I give to the other dog. The same thing with our cat. He won't chase the cat but he will growl and snap at the cat if it gets too close to him. Generally speaking Rocket appears to be a fairly low energy dog but he does enjoy going out for walks once or twice a day.

Rocket loves everyone. As soon as he spies a person on our walks, his tails starts wagging. He politely sniffs at strangers, and then nudges them for a pat.​ Rocket only shows shyness when his humans get too loud. When I correct my own dog, or speak firmly to another person, Rocket will go and hide in his "nest" until I let him know he's not the one in trouble. ​Rocket is also a bit wary and unsure around very small children when they're loud, rambunctious and try to poke and prod at him. He'd definitely need a home with older, respectful, polite kids. ​Other than that, Rocket hasn't been shy with anyone. He's very friendly with everyone we've met.​ He might do well with an older, calm, not so annoying dog, but I'd recommend he be in a house with no other pets. We haven't met any dogs on our walks, but when he sees other dogs from afar, Rocket shows curiosity. He was fine when he met the other rescue dogs and showed no aggression.​

Rocket is fine when left in the home on his own and would be fine being left for a normal working day. He is crate trained and sleeps in his crate at night and when I am out of the home. He settles in quickly, and when I peek at him, he's usually sleeping belly-up, legs splayed, snoring like a chainsaw. He won't go into his crate alone without tossing a treat in first, but if a treat is offered at the back of the crate, he's happy to walk right in. In his new home, if he is the only pet, he probably would be fine without being crated as long as he had a place in the home with a soft blanket or a doggy bed to call his own. Rocket shows curiosity at loud noises on our walks, but he pretty much ignores them when we're inside. I've never seen him startle at anything.​ Rocket loves to be with his people, loves to be petted, loves belly rubs, and loves chewing on antlers and nylabones.​ I have never once heard Rocket bark.​

Although he is pretty well behaved in the home, if not watched, Rocket will counter-surfer, and is a garbage ​-noser. He never begs for food from his people however, and he never chews anything he shouldn't. He does jump up to say hi when he wants attention, but I'm teaching him "off". ​Rocket knows "stay", "shake" and "come". He's also learning​ ​"off".​ He is now fully house trained. ​He is leash trained and doesn't pull however he does like to follow his nose. He weaves in front as he walks, but this is easily corrected with some guidance. He only pulls when he smells something interesting.​ Rocket would definitely try to bolt out the door or out of the yard if given the chance but I am not sure if he would go anywhere but for now I wouldn't let him off leash in an open area. ​Rocket isn't a fan of cars at all. He needs to be lifted into the car, and should be in a carrier/tethered to the back seat/in a passenger's lap on drives.

Rocket loves everyone, but he does take awhile to come out of his shell and be totally relaxed in a new environment. He'd need someone with love and patience with him in the beginning so that he can be the sweet boy I've come to love. Rocket would thrive in a house with an adult male. Or even an older teen male. He absolutely adores men, and he'd come out of his shell quicker if he had a man to love and bond with. He definitely needs a cat-free home, and I'd recommend that he be the only pet in the home because of his slight intolerance of other dogs.

​Rocket would love to be in a home with older, respectful kids who won't pull and prod at him, probably teenagers would be best. He would be wonderful in a home with a couple or family that's moderately active, but are also good with a snuggle-friend who's more than happy to sit quietly on the couch next to you and watch TV. ​

If you think Rocket would be a good choice as a companion for your family, please submit an application for consideration.