Shortly after 8:30 pm, on Saturday August 27th, our loyal companion and best friend Roc' C closed her eyes for the last time and went were she appropriately and most deservedly belongs.

Roc' C a full blood Rottweiler still beautiful in her old age, came into our lives as an early birthday gift to Dave, eleven years ago. She won our hearts as a puppy and our admiration as she matured.

From the first day of arrival, Roc' C would see Dave as her master or leader of the family, never questioning, always faithful, and ever loyal. For myself, Roc' C found her true role in life being a protector, only to leave my side when I left for work and then patiently waiting for my return.

As time progressed, children were brought into our family with some uncertainty on how Roc' C would react not being the center of attention anymore. Eventually, Dave and I would come to realize our concern regarding her behavior was completely unnecessary and not even a concern anymore. You see, the two main things in Roc' C life was not being taken away. Roc' C was still and always will be Dave's loyal companion and she would continue to be my protector, watching over me, making sure I was safe. Roc' C saw this moment as she gained two more people to love her unconditionally and in return, she would use her strength, courage, and determination to make both, Chase and Bryce lives the best she knew how.

Through the younger years, Roc' C would play all sorts of games with unlimited stamina and endless pleasure. Always wanting someone to pull on that towel one more time so she can show you how strong her jaws were or tossing the tennis ball in the air, just to see how high she would jump.

As time progressed, her overall image matured into a true Rottweiler's build. With strong legs, thick shoulders, and a face with pure definition, she found the outside as her new Leadership role, with pure domination, confidence, and a very high self esteem to follow. When looking at her through the black iron fence, she would come across highly intimidating. However, because of her long history of being such a good nature dog, which was hidden behind a defensive front, always won the trust of all who had met her.
Eventually, the unstoppable would happen, with white hair slowly creeping on her face, walking and playing a little less vigor, and arthritis setting in making it harder for her to get up and down However, with all these systems she dealt with on a daily basis, Roc' C never complained or wined. Instead she offered her unconditional loyalty and her determination to keep going.

I've always heard that "When you look into an animal eye, they tell you a story".
I would like to tell you the story Dave and I saw in Roc' C eyes, August 27, 2005.

Sitting on a cold floor next to Roc' C at the emergency vet hospital, Dave and I looked into Roc' C eyes and saw a dog who refused to accept the pain from the internal bleeding caused by abdominal tumors. We saw a dog that no longer could lie on her stomach due to the swelling that went from normal size to oversize within two days. We see a dog that had been forced the decision of life versus the quality of life upon Dave and me.

We saw the weakness in her body from no food or water intake for 2 full days that had to be placed on a stretcher to move her from room to room because she would collapse within the walk. But when mentioned in the room" I wish we could walk her one more time and let her experience the sight, smell, and touch of the outdoors", Roc' C head lifted up and gradually pull herself up and walk by herself to the front of the Exit door, only to wait for Dave, Chase, and I to follow. As Chase held onto the lead, Roc' C stood on the grass patiently waited the response "Let go back inside".

At that very moment, I cannot express what I was feeling. I was confused, scared and hopeful that maybe there was some hope and reassurance that Roc' C could be getting better and could some how beat this horrible disease called cancer. Looking back at that same moment, I realized Roc' C was doing what she had always done from day one, she was been a loyal and faithful companion fulfilling a request from the individuals who she respected and loved up until the final end of her life. No matter how much pain she was in, her courage, strength, and determination was never to give up.

When looking at those bold brown eyes, we saw the pain in her heart, as she knew her time was coming near, and the stubbornness of hanging on, was coming to an end. Our loyal companion and protector were now looking at us to be her voice and help end her pain and suffer ness. The trust she had in both Dave and I was extremely high. We had been there for her from a puppy to a senior canine making sure she was always taking care of and now as the doctor prepares the last injection she will receive, we saw the trust in her eyes still as high as it was when she was a puppy.

Through the tears running down our cheeks, I said the last sentence she would be able to hear "We will always Love You Roc' C" "Until we meet again". The final thing I saw in Roc' C eyes were unconditional love.

And then as she started closing her eyes, I walked out of the room, leaving Dave sitting by her side holding her paw and caressing her head.

That evening as we went home, I sat in the room crying and asking God "Why did you make me make that final decision to end Roc' C life". I was anger and confused. I wanted answers and I felt he was not listening until I noticed on the filing cabinet a letter that was addressed to Dave and me. This letter came from the owner of Roc' C mom and dad of which stated how happy she was we were getting one of her puppies. She went along to explain the puppies would be ready to be picked up on Saturday, August 27, 1994.

Could this be!!!!!!!!!!! Roc C had come into our lives the exact same day she passed. As mentioned earlier in the dedication, she was an early birthday gift to Dave. Dave birthday is September 1st, exactly 5 days earlier.

So did Dave and I end Roc'C pain and suffer ness on August 27th or was it God's plan to bring her to the bridge?