Written by Dirchelle Laubscher
Professional photography by Meraki Photos
Rocco and Skye joined our home at the beginning of 2021. We took them in when my fiancé, Ryno’s, cousin no longer had space for them. They were outside dogs, and we’d spent time with them during visits and had fallen in love with them, always joking that we’d take them home.
Mysterious disappearance
Rocco went missing on the 29th of May 2021. We can’t imagine how – if he got out or if he was taken – and we found it very strange as Rocco was very attached to his sister and wouldn’t go anywhere without her. It left us scratching our heads; even if he did get out somehow, he’d normally have stayed at the gate with Skye. They both suffer separation anxiety – we call them our “Velcro dogs”, because I can’t go anywhere without them following me.
We immediately went searching and drove through the entire neighbourhood for hours. I went walking with Skye late into the night trying to find him. We called our neighbours, the Community Police Forum, animal rescue organisations… I called every single vet and SPCA every day for weeks. We made posters and social media posts and kept walking with Skye in hopes that she’d pick up his scent… but nothing!
Falling asleep was incredibly hard, and I’d often be in tears as Rocco would “hold me” in my sleep – he does this thing with his paws, holding onto you with them.
June flew past – no word. July flew past – no word. I was a mess; everyone told me I should let it go. Ryno brought home my little shining light, a Yorkie we named Charlie, to try and heal the deep ache I had in my heart. Skye and Charlie were my saving grace those few months… and then, at the end of August, I lost my dad to Covid. It was just another blow – I lost hope really.
I never thought I’d see my boy again and just felt that this world was cruel and cold.
It was him
Whilst searching for Rocco, I joined the Facebook page Spaniel Welfare SA in hopes that someone would find him. I made a few friends who were so kind and understanding, particularly Debbie Carter – she would always send messages, words of encouragement, photos and screenshots of every single black Cocker Spaniel found. She never gave up hope, even when I did! She’d pray with me and encourage me.
THEN, on the 23rd of November 2021, Debbie sent me screenshots again with a message saying: “Hi Dee, just wanted to send you another burst of photos.” I looked through the photos… and saw that big, fat nose with those sad, droopy eyes and his big, floppy ears, and I knew – I KNEW – it was him!
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I quickly went onto Spaniel Welfare SA’s Facebook page and looked for Lesley-Ann Marshall’s number, called her and went through all the questions, sent photos and identified him – I still couldn’t believe it was him! They told me that they’d found him abandoned with another dog in Germiston and he was now in Vanderbijlpark.
We were in the Cape, due to fly back the next day, but how very lucky that my mom was in the area that very day! She went to pick him up and put me on video call – it was just tears and joy. I was over the moon! A wonderful lady named Uzanne Barnard and her husband, Japie, had taken Rocco in to foster him. They even took him to the vet and the parlour; he had tick bite fever and was terribly skinny, weighing in at only 12kg (Rocco had weighed 17kg when he went missing). Unbelievable!
Spaniel cuddles
When we got home the next day, all I wanted to do was hold him – and I did. Spaniel owners will know that there’s nothing like Spaniel cuddles!
Rocco was totally traumatised. He’s forgotten most of his training (then again, he did get away with murder even before he went missing) and, as a result of his time away, isn’t as attached to his sister as he used to be. But, every day, something new comes back to him. He’s started playing again, chasing Skye around, and has made fast friends with Charlie! He still sniffs Midnight (our one kitty) like she’s lunch and tries to steal “treats” from the litter box (eeuuuwww). He remembers his bed, his blankie and his favourite pillow, but the best thing is, he still cuddles me when I fall asleep!
I only wish I could talk to him and ask him what happened, where did he go? Did someone take him? Was he chasing another dog? And HOW did he get through that gate? Words can’t describe it – being reunited with Rocco is a total miracle, and I’m forever grateful!
Editor’s note
Tragically, soon after being reunited with him, Rocco became very sick and tested positive for canine distemper, a virus currently flaring up in South Africa. As devastating as it was that they had to say goodbye to their precious boy, with their unconditional love, his owners saved him from further suffering. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dirchelle and Ryno at this very sad time.
