Ready for the New Year

This handsome poodle is happy to ring in the new year, because he's ready for a fresh start. Barclay is eight years old, very mellow and fully housetrained. He's a sweetheart of a dog, but he's a little timid around strangers. This is one little guy who's ready to spend the new year cuddled up in front of the fire. Barclay is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of December 31, 2012.

Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Eve poem from your Rockwall pets

Hello there, handsome!

Mickey's smiling face is guaranteed to light up any Christmas scene. This happy boy is friendly, playful and unbelievably sweet. Since he's only nine months old, he's still learning the ropes. He's nearly fully grown now, so you can already tell what a wonderful adult dog he's going to be. One look at that handsome face will tell you that Mickey is ready to be the star of your show. He's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of December 24, 2012.

Christmas cuteness alert!

Have you been good this year? Extra special good? Then Santa may bring you an adorable pet like Snoopy. He's only two months old and as sweet as can be. He's a little terrier mix who's ready to curl up with you in front of the yuletide fire. Snoopy is going to grow up to be a playful and happy member of your family. And that's the best gift of all. Snoopy is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of December 17, 2012.

Sweeter than Christmas candy

All the hubbub doesn't faze Rose. This little dog is as sweet as she is brave. She just recovered from a broken pelvis and leg injuries. But that doesn't stop her from being patient, gentle and loving. Rose loves belly rubs, and her tag wags non-stop. During this busy time of year, she's a mellow eye in the middle of the fast-paced storm. Even Santa Claus agrees, Rose is sweeter than any candy cane! She's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of December 10, 2012.

Adopt a Christmas puppy

It's Adopt a Christmas Puppy Week! Brody is incredibly laid back and quiet for a little three-month-old puppy. He's a little shy, but he quickly gets over his nervousness when you pick him up and cuddle him. You can always tell what he's thinking, because Brody's soulful eyes and floppy ears are so expressive. He's going to grow up to be a wonderful family companion! Brody is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of December 3, 2012.

Meet Mr. Happy

Why is this dog so happy? Because Gus is finally free of those pesky heartworms and ready to go home with you! He's still recovering from his heartworm treatment, so he should be kept quiet via kennel rest for a couple more weeks. But it will be worth it when you discover the wonderful dog you've adopted! Gus is friendly, good-natured and playful. He's everything a beagle should be and more! Gus just needs two more weeks of tender loving care followed by a lifetime of good old-fashioned loving! He's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of November 26, 2012.

Ready for a sweet Thanksgiving?

Want to make this Thanksgiving weekend even happier? Make Sweet Pea a member of your family to enjoy a memory-filled holiday season. This young dog is destined to become the perfect family companion. She's intelligent, friendly and unbelievably gentle. Add her movie star good looks to the mix for an unbeatable combination. Her name fits her perfectly, because Sweet Pea is as sweet as they come. She's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of November 19, 2012.

Need to warm up this autumn?

Little Coco and the cool autumn weather arrived together. You won't find a better lap warmer than this cute long-haired chihuahua. Coco is friendly and very loving. She's ready to spend the long nights snuggling by the fire with you. Her coloring even matches the season. Make this autumn special by letting Coco warm your heart. She's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of November 12, 2012.

He's a rock star! Check the crowd reaction!

You can hear the crowd chanting: "STEE-VIE! STEE-VIE! STEE-VIE!" And this little dog deserves all the adulation. Stevie is friendly, intelligent and eager to please. He's a three-year-old schnauzer mix who's always ready to take the stage. A little grooming will transform him into a true rock star! Stevie is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of November 5, 2012.

An incredible little dog

Incredible! Wilma may still be very young - she's five months old - but she's amazingly mellow and friendly. For a chihuahua/pug/daschund mix, that's saying something! She gets along wonderfully with every member of the family, including other dogs. This little cutie is already growing up to be the perfect family pet. Wilma is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of October 29, 2012.

"It was meant to be"

This is our favorite story from this weekend: Debbie Carroll said "it was meant to be." She couldn't explain what impulse brought her to the Rockwall Petco. She didn't have a pet, wasn't looking for one and didn't need to buy anything. But once she was in the store, she fell in love with Pepe and adopted him. We're so happy she trusted her intuition, and so is Pepe!

All treat, no trick

This little chihuahua mix is a treat to be around, and that's no trick! Allie is a three-year-old deer chihuahua who resembles a small fox with deer-like legs. She has enough self confidence to be proud of her exotic looks! She may be a little timid when you first greet her, but Allie quickly warms up once she's sure she can trust you. She's as sweet as Halloween candy! Allie is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of October 22, 2012.

Ready for the good life

Chuck is ready to live the good life! He's a happy young dog whose tail never stops wagging. His early years weren't so pleasant, so he definitely knows his life has changed for the better. Make Chuck a member of your family, and you'll have a loving and faithful companion for the rest of his life! He's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of October 15, 2012.

Time for a sugar rush

Go ahead and skip the dessert. With Lucy in your life, you'll experience pure sweetness every hour of every day. This is one special young lady. She's intelligent, outgoing and unbelievably beautiful. You'll never feel more loved than when Lucy gives you some sugar. This sweet dish is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of October 8, 2012.

Ready to dive in?

Despite his name, swimming isn't Otter's top priority. Instead of diving into the nearest body of water, he'd rather leap into your arms. This little dog is friendly, calm and very well-behaved. And he does have an adorable otter-like face. Take the plunge and make Otter a member of your family. You'll get along swimmingly. He's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of October 1, 2012.

Everything is a new experience!

Jessie may seem shy at first, but it's because she's probably experiencing everything for the first time. Once she's comfortable, she turns into a playful puppy! She's outgoing and friendly with both people and dogs. This adorable puppy is looking for a place to romp and play. And how can you resist that face? Jessie is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of September 24, 2012.

The word is love

Bonnie tells her story: "I tried my best. As soon as I was old enough, they confined me and told me to have puppies. I happily did it, because I loved all my little ones. I did this for years. I was filled with love for all the little puppies I gave birth to year after year. One day, I heard them say I was too old to have babies any longer. So they turned me loose on the side of a road. Since I'm older and can't hear very well, I felt very lost. And alone.

"I'm a loving mother with no one to love. All I want is a place to lay my head and maybe go for a walk or two. And feel loved. I've given so much love, and I have a lot more to give. I just need someone to love me too. Could that be you?" Bonnie is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of September 10, 2012.

Looking for a little love

This sweet dog is looking for a little love. Tori Ann's previous pet parent passed away after the two of them spent many years together. Even though she's 11 years old, this miniature poodle is in the best of health. She has many years of happiness and love ahead of her. She just needs someone to share it with. Tori Ann is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of September 3, 2012.

What a big Baby!

Baby has gorgeous brown eyes. It's a shame they're so hard to see, because she's usually on her back begging for belly rubs! Baby has a winning personality: She's very loving and usually pretty laid back. Her playtime comes in short explosive bursts. She's also been fully obedience trained by the fine folks at Ponderosa Pet Resort. But she still doesn't like cats! Stare into those eyes. Take her for a walk. And by all means rub her belly. This big Baby is a wonderful dog. She's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of August 27, 2012.

You can help Dodie recover

What a happy boy! Dodie's positive attitude is simply inspiring. And his happy demeanor is even more incredible considering one of his rear legs was caught in a rope or a trap. All the tendons snapped, causing his leg to bend oddly as he grows. He's been going through therapy for the past few weeks, but his leg may never grow properly or may have to be amputated. Even with all that, Dodie is incredibly patient and friendly. You can help him with his medical care on our donations page. He's an incredible young dog! He's also your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of August 20, 2012.

Gabby is a winner!

Gabby is longing for the taste of the good life. She has a winning personality to go with that adorable face and those expressive ears. This youngster is as smart as a whip, so she picks up on obedience commands in a hurry. You simply have to meet this wonderful dog in person to experience her sweetness. Gabby is a gold medalist in our book! She's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of August 13, 2012.

83% save rate in July 2012

More pets were killed (or supposedly "found dead") at the Rockwall animal shelter during July 2012 than the first six months of the year combined. Yes, there was another virus outbreak very similar to the one that occurred at the end of September 2011.

But it was also the last month that city staff was in control of the shelter. The facility was privatized August 1 and is now operated by the Collin County Humane Society.

See the complete statistics on the Rockwall Pets web site.

Need an ego boost?

Do you need a little boost to your self esteem? Do you need to feel loved? Sadie to the rescue! This beautiful girl is a lover! She's happy to lick you, to cuddle with you and to make you feel like a million bucks. Sadie is very intelligent and picks up on training commands in a hurry. Give your ego a big boost by making Sadie your personal assistant! She's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of August 6, 2012.

A huge heart in a small package

This gorgeous kitty is a little on the small side. Saffron is very petite but extremely sweet. She may weigh only five pounds, but she has one of the biggest hearts we've ever seen. You won't believe how enjoyable this little kitty can be! Saffron is currently available for adoption at the Rockwall Petco. She's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of July 30, 2012.

It's Mister 209!

This handsome dog is Pet of the Week Number 209. That's right: Maverick begins our fifth year of weekly pets in the Rockwall County Herald Banner. And he's a perfect choice. He has a new lease on life now that he's heartworm-free. He's also completely obedience trained thanks to Ponderosa Pet Resort. You can help us celebrate the beginning of five years of weekly pets by adopting this intelligent dog. Maverick is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of July 23, 2012.

Here's Mickey!

With three near-identical sisters, Mickey thinks the only way he can stand out as the only male is to show off his winning personality. This three-month-old puppy is outgoing and friendly. He's part of the Disney Four with his sisters Minnie, Belle and Bashful. Their mother weighs only 35 pounds, so we think they won't grow up to be very big. One look at that adorable face will tell you that Mickey is ready to be the star of your show! He's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of July 16, 2012.

Thank you to Farmers Electric Cooperative

Thank you to everyone at Farmers Electric Cooperative for their generous sponsorship donation to help your Rockwall Pets. They also donated some ultra-comfy blankets that the rescue dogs already adore!

Get ready to grin!

Do you need to put a smile on your face? Let Molly work her magic on you. This fun-loving youngster is very sweet and incredibly cute. She's also very intelligent. When you see her in action, you'll be grinning from ear to ear! Molly is a very special four-month-old. She's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of July 9, 2012.

Happy Fourth of July!

It's playtime!

This little cutie is going to grow up to be a wonderful dog! Charli is young pup, so she loves to romp and play. We're calling her a lab/bulldog mix, but she's a true hybrid. This young lady is obviously very intelligent, so a little obedience training is going to go a long way. Charli is maturing into a fun-loving family dog! She's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of July 2, 2012.

Small dog - lots of sweetness

Nala is a mini Aussie, a breed famous for having a sixth sense about what their owners want since they crave attention and praise. She is downright adorable and unbelieveably sweet. Nala is about as intelligent as they come. Don't miss your chance to meet this beautiful dog today! Nala is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of June 25, 2012.

What a week! Thank you for saving lives!

Nugget goes home.

An open love letter from Michael Kitkoski:


Do you realize what happened last week?


Nugget, a heartworm-positive chihuahua with completely rotten teeth, found a great home.


Ella, who came close to death after she contracted parvo at the Royse City animal shelter, was adopted.


Xena the kitten, who was rejected by the Rockwall shelter because she was in horrible condition, had a huge abscess removed from her belly and is recovering under the watchful eye of Kathleen Hanrahan.


Four puppies, saved from certain death by Stephanie Russell and Cindy Herndon, continue to recover from sarcoptic mange while being fostered by Beth Cansler.


Two FiV-positive kittens fostered by Crissi Rakich found a good home.


And Nora, one of four parvo-stricken puppies saved by Barbara Seed, went to a wonderful home.


Add all that to our weekly routine - taking ill pets to Dr. Webb at Pet Doctor, taking pets for vetting to the Kaufman County Animal Awareness Project, rescuing pets from area shelters, taking care of the pets in our homes, volunteering for several adoption events each week - and that's a lot of lifesaving in one week!


Please consider this an open love letter to you to honor what you do for these precious animals. You're obviously making a tremendous difference in the lives of these pets.


It matters if you rescue pets or pull from shelters. It matters if you take these pets into your home and care for them. It matters if you do a KCAAP run. It matters if you help the pets find homes at adoption events. It matters if you organize fundraising events. It matters if you donate. It matters if you say a little prayer for the pets.


It really matters.


It also matters that you're sticking with it. I know it wasn't easy to travel the bumpy road as we retooled Rockwall Pets into a rescue group. But now we're beginning to hit our stride. We began rescuing pets from the Royse City shelter on April 2, so that's when our volume began to increase.


In just two-and-a-half months, you've sent over 50 pets to wonderful homes (see for yourself!). At that pace, we're going to surpass the 500 additional lives that were saved last year by making the Rockwall shelter No Kill. That means you're making a huge difference.


All I can say - and all these pets can say - is thank you.


And on a personal note, saving lives may be hard work, but it's a heckuva lot of fun! Nora licked me as she was going home yesterday, and I darned near broke down and cried. This is so worth it!

Peanut loves The Partridge Family!

It's been 40 years since the Partridge Family sang, "Come one, get happy!" But that's still Peanut's theme song. This agreeable little dog is happy to follow you anywhere. Since he's a chihuahua, he can be headstrong, so he's always looking for ways to sneak out of your yard or get a little snippy. Just make sure you have a good fence and let him know you're the pack leader, and Peanut will be happy to share lots of love with you and your family! He's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of June 18, 2012.

We bow before the warrior princess!

Xena! Such a big name for a tiny kitten! She came to the Rockwall shelter this week in pitiful condition. She was coated in an oily substance, covered with hundreds of fleas, and she was unable to walk. It turns out she had a huge abscess on her stomach. We've patched her up, cleaned her up and gotten rid of all the fleas. Someone said she fought through all this like a warrior, so Xena was born! She'll be ready for adoption soon!

We celebrate an anniversary

Two years ago this week, a dream became reality.

Our web site, rockwallpets.com, launched on June 8, 2010. It began simply as a showcase for the adoptable animals at the Rockwall shelter. About a week later, on June 18, 2010, two Rockwall Pets volunteers hosted their first weekly offsite adoption event at the Rockwall Petco.

That small beginning has blossomed into a No Kill effort that’s spreading across North Texas just two years later.

The Rockwall shelter was killing over 40% of the animals it received two years ago today. For the last six months, between 98-99% of the animals got out of the shelter alive.

What began as Find-a-Friend Fridays two years ago has grown into multiple offsite events every weekend. And what began as a two-person operation a couple of years ago has turned into a growing nonprofit rescue group that is on its way toward making all of Rockwall County a No Kill zone.

And that’s not all. Our sister organization, Dallas Pets Alive!, is about to begin saving lives in a big way over in Big D.

We couldn’t have done any of this without you. Your donations, your volunteer hours and your love of your foster pets is the lifeblood of Rockwall Pets. And we would be remiss in failing to recognize two City of Rockwall employees who were instrumental in making their facility No Kill. Sadly, Jeffrey Widmer and Juan Hernandez are no longer at the shelter, but the animals are still benefiting from their contributions.

We’re proud to look back over the past two years to see what’s been accomplished. But we’re humbled by the mountain that’s left to climb. We will not rest until all of the United States achieves No Kill. We have no doubt that it will happen in our lifetime.

Keep donating. Keep volunteering. Keep fostering. Keep these wonderful pets alive.

Photo: Nicole Nickel looks at a kitten during the first Rockwall Pets offsite adoption event on June 18, 2010.

A Nugget worth his weight in gold

It's another cuteness alert! Nugget is tiny! He weighs only 3.5 pounds. But he's loaded with personality! He's not your typical chihuahua, since he's friendly and quiet. He tested as heartworm positive when we rescued him, but we're already treating him for that. He also didn't lead the happiest of lives during his first four-or-so years, because his teeth are rotten and need to be pulled. But so what if he has to eat soft food? He's an extra-special little dog who'll love you for the rest of his life! Nugget is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of June 11, 2012.

Cuteness alert!

It's that time of year! We call it Kitten Season, when momma cats begin giving birth to litters of adorable youngsters. Since our kittens are finally old enough to be fully vaccinated and altered, this weekend will mark their adoption debut. We have little ones of all shapes, colors and sizes. And, of course, they're all impossibly cute. Suffice it to say that our adoption events this weekend will be under a full-fledged cuteness warning! The kittens are your Rockwall Adoptable Pets for the week of June 4, 2012.

These two dogs don't deserve to die

Rockwall's No Kill animal shelter is threatening to kill Jazzy and Ace this Friday. Their crime? They're not cute and cuddly. Ace, who's been in the Rockwall shelter since October, is a very handsome dog. He's just particular about who he gets along with. If he trusts you, he's your friend for life.


Jazzy hasn't been in the shelter as long as Ace, but she was held in a padlocked kennel for quite some time. This beautiful dog is very timid, especially around strangers. She's what we call a "one-family dog." It will take time to earn her confidence, but she'll stick with you through thick and thin. Just don't expect her to be friendly to anyone but you.


After all they've been through, we're not quite sure why they're suddenly on the fast track to death, especially in a shelter that recently celebrated 12 months as a No Kill facility. These two dogs don't deserve to die. Please contact the Rockwall shelter to foster, to adopt, to train, to do anything but let them die.

Hark, lover boy!

Wherefore art thou, Romeo? This handsome cat is serenading you beneath your balcony, asking you to take him into your heart. And what a lover he is! You'll feel like the star of the show when this friendly kitty begins showering you with affection. Romeo tested as FiV positive, which means he needs to be an indoor cat - and probably an only cat (unless you have other cats with FiV). That means you won't have to share his love with anyone else...and that's a happy ending! Romeo is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of May 28, 2012.

The perfect family dog

Meet your perfect family dog. Jules is friendly, playful and intelligent. She's ready to make any member of the family happy, from walking with mom and dad to playing with the kids...then cuddling up with everyone at night. It's hard to be in a bad mood when you see this smiling face every morning! Jules is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of May 21, 2012.

What a cutie!

It's love at first sight! Everyone who's seen little Fozzie falls in love instantly! He's very friendly and outgoing, plus he's incredibly sweet. Our vet tells us his nose is too big due to a birth defect. But we think it makes him even cuter! You have got to meet this little guy in person to discover how wonderful he is. He'll be with us at this Saturday's Rockwall Founders Day Festival. Fozzie is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of May 14, 2012.

What a wonderful companion!

OK, lab fans! You know what Marley is all about. This 11-month-old is intelligent, friendly, active and outgoing. Marley is a happy-go-lucky dog who's satisfied with a good jog in the park, a run around the neighborhood or just a quiet evening watching TV. He's going to make you a wonderful companion. He even has a handsome brother named Buster! Marley is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of May 7, 2012.

Sweet!

Pure sweetness! This gentle and laid back dog is a joy to be around. Cassidy is very friendly and pretty quiet. Plus, we think she's beautiful. She's about five years old and either partially or completely deaf. That doesn't stop her from being a friendly and very sociable dog. Sweet! Cassidy is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of April 30, 2012.

A pretty Persian

This beautiful Persian is a joy to be around. Nicole is a relatively small kitty, but that makes it easy to pick her up and snuggle with her. She's gorgeous, very gentle and extremely fastidious. Nicole is the cat of your dreams, if you spend your time thinking about a kitty who's beautiful, kind and very loving. She's available for adoption at the Rockwall Petco. Nicole is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of April 23, 2012.

It's playtime!

Do you have active children who need some extra fun to tire them out? Do you have dogs who need a friendly playmate? Meet your new Bud. This young dog loves to play. It doesn't matter if he's around children, adults or other dogs, Bud is always ready for action. We think he has an ulterior motive: He's so friendly that he's trying to tire himself out so he can snuggle next to you. Bud is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of April 16, 2012.

Get ready for some big love!

This two-year-old likes to do things in a big way! Rumple is strong, intelligent and outgoing. She's also willing to share her love in tremendous quantities. Whether you're looking for an exercise partner, a best friend or a love muffin, Rumple is ready to please you in a big way! She'll be at our big adoption event outside the Rockwall Sports Authority this Saturday - April 14 - from 11am-3pm. Rumple is your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of April 9, 2012.

This dog is eggs-actly what you need for a Happy Easter

You've got to see this dog in action! Tiger still has a lot of puppy in him, so he's very playful. But he's about as friendly a dog as you'd ever hope to meet. He's outgoing and smart as a whip. Tiger may cherish his playtime, but he's ready to make you happy. And did we mention he's downright cute? It will be the happiest Easter ever when Tiger's smile lights up your house! He's your Rockwall Adoptable Pet for the week of April 2, 2012.

This Cutie is Number One!

They just don't come much cuter than this. Zero is an adorable eight-month-old border collie mix. Like any border collie, he's very intelligent and trainable. Just make sure he has something to do during the day to keep him occupied. We're not sure how he got his name, but Zero is Number One in our book! He's your Rockwall Adoptable Shelter Pet for the week of March 26, 2012.

Double your pleasure! Double your fun!

No, you aren't seeing double. Moon and Sky are identical twins. These fun-loving brothers are still on the young side, so they love to romp! They're both as intelligent as they are handsome, so they'll pick up on obedience training in a hurry. Moon and Sky are so friendly that one meeting with them will send you into orbit! They're your Rockwall Adoptable Pets for the week of March 19, 2012.