ROCKY (named for racing as Conteh)
Sex/colour: Male Fawn
D.O.B:12.02.2003
Last recorded owner: Not Known
Last recorded trainer: N/A
Races contended: N/A
Stadium: N/A
Last recorded race: N/A
Came to AfG: September 2009
ROCKY came to our attention when we were contacted by a lady who had a
Whippet and thought it a good idea after attending a dog show with
Greyhounds needing homes on parade, that she would offer a home to Rocky.
After a few months, she decided two dogs and a cat were too much for her
but she was reluctant to return Rocky to the rescue kennels as she felt
he would not be happy back in kennels.
We explained to her AfG could take Rocky but as she had already adopted
him from another rescue center, she needed to get their permission to
sign him over to AfG.
This was accepted by the rescue center and we were able to take Rocky as
we had a suitable foster home for him.
It is not often Greyhounds can live with cats, so it was a surprise to
find one safe to live with cats and other dogs.
Rocky was slightly underweight but once he settled into his foster home
with company of another rescued Greyhound, his body condition soon improved.
We already had a suitable home for Rocky with a cat and two terriers, so
contacted them to tell them about Rocky.
Once Rocky went to meet them all and introductions went very well, Rocky
was able to settle into his new home (coming from a rescue before, he
was already neutered).
When we checked Rockys ear tattoos we could not find any racing history
for him and wondered why/how he had come here from Ireland.
Luckily we had his stud book registration number and were given a phone
number for his previous owner but no name.
We contacted this person to find out some history on Rocky, just out of
interest and were surprised to learn he had been used for hare coursing!!.
We asked the owner who she passed him on to and she claimed “Oh I cant
remember now, that dog must now be as old as a conker tree”.
We explained he was only age age 6 so not so old and that he had ended
up in Norfolk.
She was no further help and had no interest in anything we had to say.
We imagine, as with many unwanted Greyhounds and Lurchers, were sold off
or abandoned once the hunting with dogs ban came into force in 2005,
this was likely what had happened to Rocky.
We were amazed that a Greyhound who had been used to chase and kill live
animals was safe to live with cats and small dogs but Rocky was
certainly an exception.
Nothing seemed to phase this big gentle hound and it was great to follow
his progress as he settled into his forever home, knowing he would have
a safe and happy life.
Photos below show Rocky when rescued, then settling into his new home.
Rocky appeared on two of AfGs calendars in 2011 and in his senior years
in 2015 (photos by Greyhound Watch and William Moore).
Photos above show Rocky, a stunning Greyhound, over his happy years in
his forever home.
