Post surgery in 2020. She did NOT like the donut.
If you are an animal lover, please read on.
Our Rosie, official name being “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” from the Bruce Springsteen song, passed away on Monday, October 11, 2021, around 6:15pm ET.
She is so missed.
We knew this day would come the moment we adopted her from 11th Hour Rescue. However, we put that off in our minds and enjoyed all of the 15 years we had with our girl.
Rosie was living in a foster home briefly after being rescued in Georgia and seemed quite well-adjusted when we adopted her in January 2006. She was approximately 4 months old.
She didn’t like to be home alone so we hired Rebecca, our dog walker, who has been life-long pals with Rosie and her sister, Aja, pronounced “Asia” and named for the Steely Dan song (can you guess there is a musician in the family?).
Rosie and her adopted sister, Aja
What did I learn from Rosie?
Rosie showed me how to be a gentle leader. She was mellow most of the time and was especially gentle with children.
She stood her ground around other dogs and tended to keep her distance. Yet she didn’t hesitate to growl and bare her teeth when she felt threatened. She and her adopted sister, would growl and sometimes tussle around food or when Rosie got more attention. ☺
Rosie was very clear with her communication and didn’t stop until action happened (i.e.., we fed her or took her for a walk).
Being a natural herding and worker dog, she didn’t play much, even as a pup. Her favorite thing was going for her walks.
She had a mind of her own. We took her off leash at the golf course one day when she was about 3 years old, after spending weeks at dog training school. Instead of coming back to us when called, she kept walking away slowly, turning her head every few steps to see if we would follow her. Eventually she ran and my husband had to chase her and, luckily, caught her before she got to the highway.
Guess who was not let off leash ever again.
Rose was . . .
A Leader – she always chose the paths to walk outside as her adopted sister and dog walker followed
Expressive – when Rosie wanted a treat or to go outside, she would chomp her teeth quickly and dance around to let us know
Gentle – she was at ease with children and adults, and would let anyone pet her and give her attention (her sister is the same)
A Herder – She would nudge us with her nose whenever she needed our attention. She would wake us up by huffing loudly in the morning by the bedside.
Caring – when one of us was ill, she would stay with us and lick our wounds if we had any.
If Rosie was a person, she would be quiet and pleasant to be around. She would be considered a born leader whom people looked up to and would organize fun activities.
Mike and I miss her so much, as does our son who is living in Florida now. We were fortunate to be with Rosie for 15 – mostly healthy -- years. Her sister is a bit lost but getting used to being the “alpha.”
The torch has been passed.
Thank you for teaching us unconditional love, Rosie. Until we meet again . . .
Teresa, Mike, Michael and Aja
Our Queen forever