Those of you who’ve followed the blog for a while know I have a Maltese named Rocky. I haven’t written about him in a while because he’s not doing well. I know Rocky is nearly sixteen years old, but it’s unbelievable how much he’s declined in just one year. He is almost completely blind, and last month he started going deaf. I used to be able to call to Rocky, now I have to go over and get him so he knows where I am. It’s kind of . . . heartbreaking. He often forgets that I’m nearby, so he’ll get up and go looking all over the house if I don’t catch him soon enough.
You’d think that it would be really tough for a blind dog to get around, but Rocky doesn’t have any trouble going upstairs, or finding his food and water, or finding his bed(s). Sometimes I have to alert him to a curb, but he’s still pretty good at finding them. The hardest part for me is that he sleeps all day long. He only wakes when I tell him it’s time to go out or I’m going upstairs. The photo above is from three years ago, before he got cataracts. I didn’t have the heart to post a recent photo because he’s not looking himself.
I honestly didn’t know if Rocky would be alive when we got back from the cruise, and am so grateful that he was. I wouldn’t want him to go alone. Now I realize that he just isn’t going to wake up one day. I’ve had time to get used to the idea, but I know it’s going to be awful when the time comes.
Sorry to be such a downer, but I thought it would be wrong to just announce that Rocky was gone with no warning whatsoever. You dog lovers know exactly what I’m going through. I will just enjoy every day I have left with him. It’s been a wonderful twelve years.
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
My thoughts are with you. Miles turned 12 and we’ve noticed a decline over the past few months. it’s heartbreaking to watch. He still is in good spirits and doesn’t seem to be in pain. But like Rocky, he sleeps a lot more.
Give Rocky a hug for me. He’s such a sweetheart. I’ll keep all of you in my thoughts
Thanks, TBM. I knew you would understand. Like Miles, Rocky is very young-looking and that makes the decline more of a bad surprise. Just last year someone asked if he was a puppy!
Those final good-byes are so darned hard – but their memories last forever
So very true, Susan.
I’m so sorry Carole. I know exactly how you feel. We lost our Mimi on Dec 23, although we had to make the decision to have her put to sleep. We couldn’t stand to see her suffering any longer. She too was blind and deaf (and only 7 years old!) She was a Pomeranian and had been plagued with seizures and even had a stroke during the worst part of it. My heart goes out to you my friend.
Oh Bonnie, how awful. You really had no choice there at all. Seven is so young for a small dog too. Thank you for the kind words.
You are NOT a downer, Carole. Rocky is a beautiful creature and fortunate to have you! Do you believe the addage, “Dogs make us more human?” Thinking of you … and Rocky! Che
I’ve never heard that, but I believe it, Cheryl. Thank you.
Rocky is part of you…I miss my Sullie we had some amazing times together. I hope every minute is special!! Take tons of pics…sometimes I go through my old pictures of Sullie and it puts a huge smile on my face. 🙂
I did just that last night and it was so nice seeing Rocky look so young and healthy. 🙂
This is the hardest part about bringing these wonderful pets into our lives — knowing that their lives are so much shorter than ours. Because of that I treasure every moment I have with Reggie, and I know that you feel the same about Rocky. I remember that story you told about his encounter with the snake. What a tough little guy he is!
Yes, he was quite a little fighter when that happened! I’m convinced he survived that rattlesnake bite so I wouldn’t be alone. He’s seen me through so much, Jackie.
so sad to hear that 😦
Thank you.
Oh, Rocky! I’m so sorry he’s not doing well. =(
Thank you, Thoughtsy. He’s hanging in there.
Oh I’m so sorry I didn’t see this until just now.
How heartbreaking. And thank you, for thinking of us. It would be a major downer to read he’s gone without a warning. It will still be so very sad, but we can think of him and you.
I guess that he is sleeping so much shows he’s growing weaker. In a way, as awful as it is, it’s still nicer to lose them to old age than to some severe illness.
I’m very glad he was still there when you came back. I’m sure he has had a great life until now and I hope that whatever remains will be gentle on him and you.
Thanks for that, Caroline.
Yes, I would much rather Rocky faded away due to old age. I know someone who lost her dog suddenly when he was only two and it was horrible.
Rocky has had a good life. One of my friends said if reincarnation is real, she wants to come back as my dog. 🙂