Rocky and Rascal, fond memories - long

[Indy's mom]

This may not be the place to put this, and if not then I apologize. For some reason lately, I keep thinking about Rocky and Rascal. Now my big boy Rock has been gone for 14 years, Rascal 2 1/2. But lately, it seems that I think of them more and more. Keep comparing them to Indy, completely unfair but that's the way it goes sometimes.

Rocky was our first baby. He grew up to be a 75 pound push-over. He was always glued to either me or one of our 3 sons. One of my fondest memories was when the boys would go somewhere. Rock would go and get one of their stuffed toys from their bedroom and just lay with it until they came home. He never chewed it and didn't mind at all when it was returned to whichever boy it belonged to. Naturally as I remember him, I think about the way he would not leave the yard. Never tied in front, just stayed right with me. If you left the gate open he acted as if he didn't notice. With selective process we go thru when we remember things, it seems that he did these things automatically. In truth I know I spent hours training him, but somehow have a hard time remembering that now. Rocky we still talk about you and of course your picture is still on the wall, probably the most handsome boxer I've ever been privelaged to know.

Rascal, oh Rascal. He lived up to his name, that's why we chose him in the first place. He was the first of his litter to find his way out of the 'box'. The first to exploring, trying to climb stairs and generally see what the world was about. We had the pick of his litter since we were the first people to respond (didn't know a thing about quality breeders at the time, it was a BYB). They let us visit often until we brought him home. He loved when people were around and of course our sons adored him from moment one. Seems to me that it only took moments to house break him. Selective memory again, I know. Our eldest used to scoop him up and carry him to the back yard to potty. In fact, if Billy had his way Rascal would never have learned to walk. There were a few quirks with this guy. A lovely dark brindle with a black mask, he always stood sort of hip-shot, unless there was a treat involved, then he was statue quality. One eye-socket was slightly oversized so he looked as if he was always recovering from a 3 day bings, bloodshot! He was always a door bolter and in fact one of our favorite neighbors kept treats in his garage for when Ras came to visit. My fault, I didn't fix it, but Rascal and neighbor Dave were good buds. Rascal even trained other dogs! His best friend was a rottie, they came to know each other when Ras was 3 years old. Caesar's owner told us it would be a problem if Caesar came and played because surely he would go in the perennial gardens (like with 3 sons I really worried ). Well Rascal dealt with that, when Caesar would venture into a garden Ras would nudge him out. Taught him the rules of the yard. Good boy Rascal! All of the neighbor boys adored him, mostly our house was play central and the place all the kids camped was our family room or back yard. Many was the time I would find some poor boy had given up his pillow or sleeping bag because he though Ras should have it. Dogs and boys, a lovely combination and makes me smile every time I think of it.

Indiana. Oh what can I say. Really thought about never getting another dog after Rascal died, thinking of him and Rocky just hurts too much sometimes. But memories of how much we loved them convinced us we needed one more. Oh boy, were we right. Indy knew he found the home he wanted from moment one. Our sons were by that time mostly grown and gone, only the youngest was home, and he left within the year, he is still Indy's favorite person on earth. This dog has been so easy to live with and train...for the most part. He would never go in our out of a door even if left wide open without one of us telling him he can. He walks like an angel and in true boxer tradition seems to be attached at the hip to me. On the other hand he barks because he loves to hear himself (the others never did at all! ). His favorite thing is to roll in ick and much. Naturally Rock and Rascal were above getting dirty unless absolutely necessary. For Indy, the smellier the better. Use the path in the perennial gardens? I think not!! That is surely a dog size jungle and the deepest, darkest corners must be explored every day.

Sorry this got so long, I just keep thinking how fortunate my family and I have been to have lived with such extraordinary dogs. Each so different in personality but with such wonderful similarities. I hope Indy is with us a very long time. I'll continue to look at Rocky and Rascal when I pass them in the hall and to enjoy my fond, rather selective memories of them both. For now I know we've been blessed.

[Lancerella]

You touched my heart with your memories. I too have some fond memories of my boys, past and present.
I love reading your tribute to your furkids.
God blessed us with the best = our kids.

Maybe a book is in order???
Thanks for sharing your story.

[Indy's mom]

Now if I was to write a book, I'd have to dig deeper and re-examine some of those very carefully selected memories Think I'll just stick to doing things this way.

[yzma's mom]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories of your boys, past and present, with us. Makes my heart grow even fonder of boxers if that's possible.