Heartbroken Rhode Island Dog Waited In A Shelter Kennel After His Family Gave Him Up Over Allergies
When a big dog was surrendered for having allergies, his future looked uncertain. But after a fateful scroll on Instagram, he found a Rhode Island family—and a surprising new job as a kitten foster dad.
An Unexpected Connection
When a family decides to give up their dog, the reasons can vary wildly.
For one big dog named Rocky, the reason was simply that he had allergies.
His previous owners couldn’t manage his needs, leaving him without a home and waiting in a shelter.
But this gentle giant was destined for a much bigger purpose.
Janette wasn’t even looking for a dog at the time.
She was just scrolling through her Instagram feed one day when a post from the Rhode Island SPCA caught her eye.
Rocky’s face popped up on her screen, and he instantly stole her heart.
Before long, the big dog officially became a part of her family.
Committing To His Care
Janette knew about Rocky’s environmental and food allergies, but she didn’t let that deter her.
“I said, you know what? It’s fine. I can deal with it,” she recalled.
She committed to giving him the specialized care his previous owners couldn’t provide.
Today, Rocky goes to a holistic veterinarian who has helped pinpoint his triggers.
He doesn’t even eat commercial dog food anymore, thriving instead on a diet tailored just for him.
The Gizmo Lookalike
Rocky is a big dog with a very unique and endearing look.
Janette jokes that he looks like Gizmo from the classic movie “Gremlins.”
He has incredibly expressive ears that seem to have a mind of their own, reacting to every sound around him.
He also has very small teeth, making it look like he’s missing a few.
It’s a quirky physical trait that only adds to his immense charm.
Misunderstood By Many
Because of his size and appearance, some people are quick to judge Rocky.
“Everybody’s always afraid of these types of dogs,” Janette explained.
People often assume that a big dog like him will be mean or dangerous to be around.
But Janette is always quick to correct them, knowing just how gentle his soul truly is.
She knew he had a soft heart, but even she was surprised by how he reacted to the smallest of animals.
The Unlikely Foster Parent
Janette is an avid animal rescuer who regularly fosters kittens.
Almost every month, she takes in litters of three to six tiny cats who need a safe place to grow.
In total, she has fostered well over 20 kittens in her home.
But she insists that she isn’t the one doing the heavy lifting when it comes to raising them.
“I always say he fosters the kittens for me,” she laughed.
A Patient Protector
Rocky absolutely loves the tiny feline visitors that come through the house.
Despite his large size, he is incredibly careful and delicate around them.
Janette says he acts just like a patient mother, letting the kittens crawl all over him.
The kittens, in turn, seem to know exactly how special his big, expressive ears are.
They gravitate to him immediately, finding comfort in his warm presence.
The Calico Who Stayed
One of the foster kittens, a calico named Tonks, was continually passed up by potential adopters.
But Tonks didn’t seem to mind, because she was completely enamored with Rocky.
She always wanted to be near him, touching him and laying by his side.
Seeing this beautiful, unbreakable bond, the family knew they couldn’t separate them.
They officially adopted Tonks, giving Rocky a permanent feline best friend.
An Orange Addition
Soon after, an orange kitten named Cheddar came into their lives.
Janette’s son completely fell in love with the little cat.
Just like Tonks, Cheddar shared a magnetic attraction to Rocky and just wanted to be with the big dog.
It worked out perfectly that both kittens were so closely bonded to their canine foster dad.
The family adopted Cheddar too, cementing their interspecies pack.
A Family Made Whole
Since adopting Rocky in 2019, Janette’s life has completely revolved around him.
She hasn’t even gone on a vacation without him, insisting they only travel to places where Rocky is welcome.
“He’s somebody that I would do anything for,” she said.
The dog who was given up for having allergies is now the heart of their home.
For Janette, this sweet dog who fosters kittens is the best decision she ever made, and life only gets better with him in it.
