What's up to all my K-9 pals!  My name is Rockie and I currently reside with my human grandma and uncle right in the middle of the very big Los Angeles, CA.  I am very grateful for this lovely family for taking me in after I was living in an abusive home with several other dogs including my mother and littermates.  After my real mom gave birth to our wonderful family we were all soon put up for sale with most of my siblings being sold.  Sadly I had a brother and two sisters that did not survive.   So mom and I were left behind and she soon disappeared too and I had no idea where those mean humans had taken her.  I had just hoped nothing bad had happened to her because she was such a sweet lady .  Anyway, I was left behind with a couple of other dogs not in my litter and from then on we were all tormented and tortured and forced to fight with each other until my adopted mom came to the rescue.  My new mom used to own another dog named Twinkle who would always allow me to come over and share her food since my people were not feeding me.  I was a growing pup at the time and I needed to eat!  These people just did not understand!  I remember one meal they allowed me to have consisted only of half of a hot dog rolled in a piece of bread and a bone.  I had even watched one of my puppy pals die from what may have been parvo due to the lack of veterinary care that we never recieved.  Blackie was another dog pal of mine who was almost like a mother to me and she and I would sometimes go out looking for food together.  Tre would sometimes find us out there looking and feel bad and give us something to eat.  Poor Blackie was so hungry she would always scarf her food down without raising her head for a breath and eat so fast until she would regurgitate.  I would feel really bad watching her go through this.  Unfortunately it became too late for Blackie and one day my new family came home and found her dead on their porch.  All she wanted was a decent family to love her and care for her just like the rest of us do.  After a while I had enough.  I really loved Tre and her family.  After the fateful day that I was forced to face off with a Rottie that was twice my size I had finally come to my senses.  I no longer went back to that evil house next door and I remained with the new family that I am currently with now.  The guy that did all this to me got put in jail and his mom and sister had eventually moved out and I was finally free from pain and suffering!  I'm sure that evil guy got what he deserved.  And now I'm in a great home where I get lots of delicious and nutritious food to eat, regular visits to the vet, baths whenever I get stinky, fun walks, and a whole lot of TLC! The vet visits aren't always fun and enjoyable but I know they're essential to ensure that I remain healthy.  Plus my docs are real nice and they always have treats!  Also can't forget that the visits are always an opportunity for a cool car ride! It really does feel good to be considered apart of the family where I am allowed to share the warmth of a loving home and not have to be subjected to living outdoors all year round, especially during harsh weather conditions. I am terrified of really loud noises so during thunderstorms and on that summer day where the humans like to get together and pop those loud noisemakers that also flash bright lights and have BBQ (mmmm...smells delicious!) I prefer to be close to someone I love.  However, due to the treatment I recieved from my previous owners I am now very wary of young men that I don't really know.  My uncle Kev sure is the best though!  He helps my grandma and great-grandma care for me while Tre is away at veterinary school.  I sure hope she does well so she can continue to do what she does best...helping out her animal companions!  I miss her dearly when she's away but we always have a wonderful reunion when she returns home! Sorry for the lenghty bio.  If you held on this long and read the whole thing thanks, I truly appreciate it.  Let us all please try and put an end to animal cruelty!  WOOF!