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Rocky

Mixed Breed · Male · Senior · 9 years

Every responsible dog owner knows the thought: "What will happen to my beloved pet if something happens to me or I get sick?" Some ignore this problem, others look for solutions. We are always grateful to every person who prepares in advance and whose dog does not end up in an animal shelter after many years of loyalty because the owner is no longer able to care for his friend. In Rocky's case, we have exactly such a loving caretaker who wanted to ensure that his wonderful nine-year-old German Shepherd (as of 08/2021) would always be well. So when he had to go to the clinic due to a prolonged and incurable illness, he asked a friend if he would like to accompany Rocky during his last years. Rocky moved out, the person who had been by his side for so many years, went to the clinic. And thus began the ordeal of this lovable gentleman, because Rocky did not get the promised good home. Rocky was kept on a business premises, where he spent most of his time alone, found no shade when the sun beat down on the hot asphalt, and had no shelter when it rained heavily. One day, one of the volunteers from ArcoNatura discovered the thin, matted, and clearly depressed dog on the property and called the local police to free Rocky immediately from this hell. Grateful, the German Shepherd moved into the care of ArcoNatura and is now being spoiled and nurtured as best as possible, and of course, everyone sincerely hopes that the loyal family dog will soon find a proper home where he can enjoy the autumn of his life. Rocky is a balanced character who has no problems with other dogs. Due to his age, we are looking for a rather quiet home for him, where he has his retreats. Our active retiree is certainly still up for long walks and still enjoys playing - then a lengthy recovery period with plenty of cookies and cuddles is also fine. Rocky longs to have a person for himself again, to be part of a team and to prove once more what a great dog he is. Please give him (and our other seniors) the chance to leave the animal shelter forever.

DE·Show original

Jeder verantwortungsvolle Hundebesitzer kennt den Gedanken: „Was wird denn aus meinem geliebten Haustier, wenn mir etwas zustößt oder ich krank werde?“ Manche verdrängen dieses Problem, andere suchen nach Lösungen. Wir sind immer wieder dankbar um jeden Menschen, der vorsorgt und dessen Hund nicht plötzlich nach vielen Jahre Treue in einem Tierheim landet, weil der Besitzer nicht mehr in der Lage ist, sich um seinen Freund zu kümmern. In Rockys Fall haben wir genau so einen liebevollen Halter, der sichergehen wollte, dass es seinem wundervollen neunjährigen Schäferhundrüden (Stand 08/2021) immer gut gehen würde. Also fragte er, als er wegen einer langwierigen und unheilbaren Krankheit in die Klinik musste, einen Freund, ob dieser nicht Rockys letzte Jahre begleiten wolle. Rocky zog um, der Mensch, der ihm so viele Jahre zur Seite stand, kam in die Klinik. Und damit begann das Martyrium des liebenswerten Gentlemans, denn Rocky bekam nicht das zugesicherte gute Zuhause. Rocky wurde auf einem Geschäftsgelände gehalten, wo er die meiste Zeit allein zubrachte, keinen Schatten fand, wenn die Sonne auf den heißen Asphalt knallte, keinen Unterstand hatte, wenn es in Strömen regnete. Eines Tages entdeckte einer der ehrenamtlichen Helfer der ArcoNatura den abgemagerten, verfilzten und sichtlich deprimierten Hund auf dem Grundstück und rief die örtliche Polizei zu Hilfe, um Rocky sofort aus dieser Hölle zu befreien. Der dankbare Schäferhund zog in die Obhut der ArcoNatura und wird jetzt nach besten Kräften verwöhnt und gepäppelt, und natürlich hoffen alle aus tiefstem Herzen, dass der treue Familienhund bald wieder ein richtiges Zuhause findet, wo er den Herbst seines Lebens genießen kann. Rocky ist ein ausgeglichener Charakter, der mit anderen Hunden kein Problem hat. Aufgrund seines Alters suchen wir für ihn ein eher ruhiges Zuhause, in dem er seine Rückzugsmöglichkeiten hat. Unser rüstiger Rentner steht aber durchaus noch auf ausgiebige Spaziergänge und findet auch noch Spaß am Spielen – nur darf dann auch gern eine ausgedehnte Regenerationsphase mit reichlich Keksen und Streicheleinheiten folgen. Rocky sehnt sich danach, wieder einen Menschen für sich zu haben, Teil eines Teams zu sein und nochmal beweisen zu dürfen, was er für ein toller Hund ist. Bitte geben Sie ihm (und unseren anderen Senioren) die Chance, das Tierheim für immer hinter sich zu lassen.

Size
Age
Senior · 9 years
Location
🇩🇪Gernsbach
Shelter
Tierschutzverein ARCA e.V.
Living with Rocky
  • Good with kids
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Cared for by Tierschutzverein ARCA e.V. · GernsbachLearn about Mixed Breed

Listed 1 month ago

Bringing Rocky home

What you'll need for Rocky in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

  1. 01
    Required by most shelters

    Trixie Transport Box

    Sturdy plastic carrier — what most shelters require for pickup.

    View on Amazon
    €35–45
  2. 02
    Editor's pick

    Folding Wire Crate

    First-week safe space. Shelter dogs settle faster with a crate.

    View on Amazon
    €50–80
  3. 03
    Legal · EU

    Car Seatbelt Tether

    Legally required in most EU countries for transporting dogs.

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    €8–12
  4. 04

    Adaptil Calming Spray

    Dog-specific pheromone diffuser. Worth it for the trip home.

    View on Amazon
    €18–25
  5. 05

    Orthopaedic Dog Bed

    Worth the upgrade — rescues often have joint issues from kennels.

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    €30–60
  6. 06
    Safer than a collar

    Padded Y-Front Harness

    Escape-proof for spooky rescues. Safer than a collar in week one.

    View on Amazon
    €20–35

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About Rocky

What life with Rocky looks like

Rocky is a senior mixed breed dog waiting at Tierschutzverein ARCA e.V. in Gernsbach.

Senior dogs settle in faster than younger ones. They want a soft bed, predictable meals, and short, sniff-heavy walks rather than runs. Many senior rescues bond deeply within weeks because they understand exactly how good a stable home is. Expect occasional vet visits for joint or dental care.

🇩🇪Adopting from Germany

German rescues typically require an in-person home visit (Vorkontrolle) or detailed video home check before approving adoption. Animals leave the shelter sterilized, microchipped, and with a valid EU pet passport. Adoption fees usually fall between €250 and €450, covering veterinary preparation.

Gernsbach, Germany browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Rocky, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Rocky?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Tierschutzverein ARCA e.V. handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Rocky on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Rocky if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Tierschutzverein ARCA e.V. will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Rocky already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?
Most dogs on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Rocky isn't the right fit?
Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Tierschutzverein ARCA e.V. early rather than rehoming privately; they know Rocky and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?
TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (DE). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.
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Adopt Rocky — 9yo Mixed Breed in Gernsbach | TailHarbor