8/8/26 FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS ~ In September of 2021, a very special Bulldog named Rolo came into our rescue.
When we first met him, Rolo could barely see. Years of neglect had taken a toll on his eyes, his skin and his spirit. He had been passed from one place to another, and when he needed someone to help him, a rescue volunteer answered the call.
Even on that very first day, Rolo was promised something he had never really known: a chance. He would receive the medical care he needed, including eye surgery, and someday he would be able to see again.
His journey wasn’t without its challenges. Even the rescue trip itself included a flat tire on the highway! But Rolo found kindness everywhere he went. At the tire store, a woman saw this neglected little Bulldog and promised she would follow his story and look forward to seeing him after his surgery. She told him he was going to look amazing.
And she was right. ❤️
Rolo underwent not one, but two eye surgeries. While he was recovering, something wonderful was happening behind the scenes: a family was waiting patiently for him. They didn’t give up when his medical hold lasted longer than expected. They waited for their boy.
And in January 2022, Rolo finally went home.
He had found what he had been searching for all along: a forever family.
For the next several years, Rolo got to experience the life every dog deserves. He was safe. He was cherished. He was included. He had a family who loved him deeply and a little sister who clearly thought he belonged in every part of her world. ❤️
The beautiful photos his family has shared tell a story all their own. Rolo wasn’t simply a dog who lived in their home. He was part of the family.. in the middle of the adventures, beside his little sister and right where he belonged.
On Monday night, Rolo passed away.
His mom says, simply, “He was a very special boy who was very loved. We miss him terribly.”
We know he was.
Rolo’s rescue story began with someone asking for anyone to come get him. It ended with him being exactly where he was always meant to be: home, surrounded by people who loved him.
Sweet Rolo, we are so grateful you found your way to rescue. And even more grateful that rescue found you your forever family. You deserved every soft bed, every cuddle, every adventure, every photograph and every bit of love you received.
Run free, sweet boy. Your family will carry you in their hearts forever, and so will we.
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Sweet dreams do come true. ROLO has been adopted.
Even as Rolo was on medical hold there was an amazing family waiting for Rolo to be theirs. They waited patiently as Rolo went through his 2nd eye surgery .
Rolo finally got the happy two thumbs up from Dr Larsen and just like that he was ready to be with his forever family.
Even though Rolo still needed a little more time to recover from his surgery his forever family was ready to take him home. To care for him and to love him. I know that a strong bond will be made during his recovery.
I am so over the moon for Rolo and his family.
Rolo might have been with me for a very brief time but he will always hold a very special place in my heart and home.
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I am certainly glad I found rescue. Or, rescue found me.
I ended on Facebook with a woman pleading for someone to come get me. Anyone. The woman wanted me gone ASAP. You see, I had been given to the woman and I think she was scared of me because of my eyes and my vision issues. I can’t see anything. I never tried to hurt her kittens, but I could not see them and I would step on them.
When the rescue wagon came for me, the volunteers were so nice. They lifted me up and promised me that I would have eye surgery and one day, I would be able to see again.
Years of neglect have certainly taken a toll on my vision. And on my fur. I am missing some fur on my back legs and some here and there.
After I got picked up, the rescue wagon had a flat on the highway and we ended up at a tire store. The woman at the tire store was so nice to me. She could tell I had been neglected for a long time. She said she was going to be watching for me on Facebook and that she was excited to see me again after my eye surgery. She told me I’ll look amazing. I hope she is right. I haven’t felt amazing since I was a little puppy when someone wanted me.
Getting passed around from here to there is no way to live. And not getting to see a vet simply sucks. But, today is a brand new day and today starts a brand new life for me. Moving forward, my next family is going to be my forever family. You just wait and see.
11/18/21 Update: I was treated for heartworm and now I’m living in my foster home. Thanks to rescue and Dr. Larsen, I’m headed to a new life, and I know my next family will take good care of me.
I’m starting to get used to things here. My foster parents keep telling me I have to rest for 30 days after my heartworm treatment, so I have to keep things low key. No running or rough play for me. Just lots of crate time and a calm environment so I can heal. That’s OK though because my foster family has lots of chew toys and treats to keep me busy.
I’m calm, sweet and I LOVE attention. I have chronic eye problems that I’m being treated for, and my ear infections are healing nicely. Phew! Thank goodness someone finally helped me take care of these things.
11/21/21 Update: I hope you are enjoying this lovely weather…I sure am! I’m still recovering from my heartworm treatment so I gotta stay chill for another couple of weeks. And my dog gone cherry eyes came back so once I recover from my treatment I will get those all fixed up. Here are some pics of me for you to swoon over in the meantime.
12/13/21 Update: His eye surgery went well this week. They repaired his cherry eyes (for the second time) and then also made some adjustments to his upper eye lids that were rubbing against his corneas.
His cherry eye repair is being kind of tricky. We are working hard to keep the sutures intact and not let them come undone….again.
Other than being mad that he has to wear a cone collar around his neck, he’s doing good! His eyes are feeling rather miserable right now, but we see improvement each day. He’s also on some good pain meds to help. He is a trooper! He just wants to be loved on and have someone to scratch his butt.
We also have good news brewing for sweet Rolo. He is meeting a potential family next weekend.
