Some souls find each other in the hardest of times. That’s how it was for ZZ (Zaleah) and Rocky; two dogs who were left with nothing but each other, and a small stuffed animal for comfort. The Carteret County Humane Society located in North Carolina shares their story and hopes the dogs who have that “special bond” will be adopted together.
Five years ago, Zaleah entered the shelter when she was only ten-months old; just a playful puppy with a cheery disposition and imagining how much fun her future held once she was adopted. Four times Zaleah was adopted, but through no fault of her own, she ended up back at the shelter. Her last adoption, in March 2023 seemed perfect, but for reasons unknown her owner sent her to another home – bringing forth an uncertain and scary future.
Shortly after Zaleah was sent to her latest home, Rocky became her friend. The six-year-old Labrador soon became Zaleah’s protector as well as her playmate. And it was all fun for a little while – that is until their new owner moved to Colorado and abandoned the two dogs in the backyard. For months, Zaleah and Rocky scavenged for food and fended for themselves.
They were hungry, and they were scared. For months, all they had was each other; they barely survived. Would they both die from neglect and starvation soon?
Finally a turn of fate occurred when workers arrived at the abandoned home and discovered the two pups “clinging to survival.” Maybe life’s hardships would disappear and for the first time in so many months of hunger and fright, the two dogs felt hope.
The workers began to feed them ~ their first act of kindness in what must have felt like an eternity of being invisible. Then, a Good Samaritan saw a Craigslist post about them. Unable to ignore their plight, they took ZZ and Rocky in, hoping to find them a loving home.
After months of trying to find the two dogs homes, the Good Samaritan, who had been suffering from health issues couldn’t keep them any longer.
It was on January 4, 2025 that the two dogs were sent to the shelter again.
Following descriptions via the Carteret County Humane Society:
Zaleah (ZZ) is now five years old, and nearly four of those years have been spent behind shelter walls. She is fully vetted, housebroken, spayed and full of love. She adores playing fetch, curling up in cozy blankets, and being close to her person. She is incredibly loyal and intelligent, however, she needs someone who will love her forever, not just for a while.
Rocky, her 6-year-old Labrador mix companion, is her steady, her comfort, her confidence. He is fully vetted, housebroken, and neutered ~ and too, he is gentle, affectionate, and devoted. When Rocky is with her, ZZ doesn’t even try to escape (like she’s tried before) because she doesn’t need to. He is her home.
Both ride great in cars and LOVE to go for a ride. And just like ZZ, Rocky LOVES a stuffed animal ~ a reminder of the only warmth they had during those lonely months of abandonment.
It is the shelter’s heartfelt desire to adopt Zaleah and Rocky together, and even though it is a huge task, no one can even imagine the two being separated. They even look for each other and love being together when they go outside to play.
Interested in meeting these two? Click here for more information.
Please share the plight of these two sweet dogs. They deserve the best life can offer. Sharing saves lives and helps to find the best homes!
(Photos via Allyson Latsch Photography and Carteret County Humane Society)
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