Rocky the dog is home, warm, and resting with his teddy bear.
Rocky, a mixed-breed that is at least 15-years-old, was saved through the efforts of a resident in the 2100 block of Marie Court in Orion Township along with sheriff’s deputy Faisal Khawja after he went missing.
Rocky was located in a small creek and was seemingly dead before being brought back to life by Khawja and the resident, who had alerted police to the barking of a dog that seemed to be in distress.
Rocky’s owner, Janet Lane, said she is very grateful to have the family’s pet back home after searching for him and losing some faith that he might be found alive.
‘He’s a tough old bird and he’s home now and happy,? she said. ‘He’s getting better and doing okay.?
She said Rocky has been a loved family member since being brought home from a shelter 15 years ago.
Rocky’s harrowing day began about 3 a.m. on January 8 when he alerted Lane that he needed to go outside. Lane said he usually returns very quickly to come back in but this time did not. She said she assumed he would come back soon, since he is 15-years-old and suffers from arthritis. When Rocky wasn’t at the door later in the morning, the family began looking for him.
‘We looked all around throughout the day and even posted a message on Facebook,? she said.
Later in the afternoon, a nearby resident called police after hearing Rocky barking in what seemed like he was in distress. The man searched but could not locate the barking and then called police for help.
Deputy Khawja responded to Marie Court and met the man who told him he heard a barking dog for the last several hours and it sounded like the dog was in distress.
Khawja and the man teamed up and searched a wooded area in the last known direction of the barking.
The two then discovered Rocky. He was pinned by debris in the cold water and appeared dead.
Khawja went into the water and pulled Rocky out. The two then administered first aid to Rocky, doing CPR and slowly warming him.
Rocky regained consciousness and with the help of his dog license on his collar, Lane said, her family was contacted.
Lane said Rocky was missing the entire day and the family was worried about his safety. She said they looked in the area where he was found, which was about a block and a half from their home, and did not find him. The family took him to a veterinarian for treatment after they were re-united.
‘We are very appreciative,? she said. ‘He’s slowly coming back.?