In a twist of fate, a Central Texas woman was reunited with her lost dog after three years thanks to a Facebook post and a collaboration of local animal welfare groups.
The Humane Society of Central Texas said when the thin frail 15 year old dog arrived at the Waco Animal Shelter as a stray, he didn’t have the strength to stand.
A Good Samaritan found him on the side of the road, and brought him in, "knowing he needed more help than she could provide," the Humane Society said.
The City of Waco veterinary team quickly assessed him, ran some tests, and learned that he likely has cancer, impaired vision, and mobility issues, in addition to numerous other conditions related to old age and lack of care.
They brought him directly to the Adoption Center where the Humane Society of Central Texas team jumped into action to find a foster home for him to live out his final days.
The Humane Society of Central Texas said local hospice animal rescue group Old Souls Animal Rescue and Retirement Home took him in to see if they could help.
In their care, after just two days surrounded by other hospice animals and lots of love, the sweet dog perked up, was able to walk on his own, and began eating more.
He was named Batiste after Jon Batiste, the band leader on the Steven Colbert Show "because of the musician’s incredibly positive outlook on life and the way he exudes happiness."
After 2 weeks, HSCTX and Old Souls were both convinced that while Batiste was old and sick, he definitely had some time left to enjoy life.
HSCTX posted him on their Facebook page as a success story in hopes of encouraging the community to foster shelter animals.
"That’s when Eileen sent a message asking if this could possibly be her dog Rocky who went missing 3 years ago," HSCTX said.
She had posted him on the hugely popular Facebook page Central Texas Lost and Found Pets in hopes that someone might find him and contact her.
For 3 years, that post remained on the Facebook page, and the page’s admins stayed in touch with her even though Eileen and her family lost all hope that Rocky was alive or that they would ever see him again.
In a twist of fate, Eileen saw Rocky, completely by chance, on the Humane Society’s Facebook page looking 3 years older.
After exchanging messages with HSCTX and Old Souls, a reunion was scheduled for the next day at the Humane Society.
With Rocky’s neurological conditions, he couldn’t exactly jump for joy, "but everyone else did!"
"We don’t know where he was all this time, who he lived with, and how he survived, but Rocky made his way home to his forever family thanks to everyone working together: the City of Waco veterinary team, the Humane Society of Central Texas, Old Souls Animal Rescue and Retirement Home, and the Central Texas Lost and Found Pets Facebook page!" HSCTX said.
Today, Rocky is living his best life back in the same home where he grew up, truly enjoying the last chapter of his life.
