Gotcha Date: January 27th 2004 Birthday: January 27th 2003 Likes: exploring; meeting new people; the dog park (marymoor in Seattle, fort funston in SF); dobermans & great danes; humping golden retrievers; herding sheep; nose work; playing fetch; and, of course, FOOD. Pet-Peeves: intact males; "doodles"; being ignored; dogs coming too close to his shit; dogs getting all up in his grill; dogs fighting Favorite Toy: he's not a big toy dog, but enjoys stuffies to dissect; squeakies; tennis balls (doggy bubblegum!); toys he can chase & then tug Favorite Food: anything and everything, though is especially fond of bully sticks, cheese, ice cream & raw food/bones Favorite Walk: anywhere, especially new places with new sights and smells, and of course anywhere he can RUN off leash Best Tricks: jumping (he can clear a 5 ft fence), wave, balancing a treat on his nose, "bang!" (play dead), spin, speak, roll over (both ways), shake (both paws), sit pretty, back up, etc etc Arrival Story: Id wanted a dog my whole life but my parents always said they didnt want a dog. Finally they decided we were ready to add a dog to the family. I had been looking for a dog for several weeks, at shelters mostly, not really searching for any particular breed. I volunteered at an animal shelter at the time, exercising and training the dogs, and I realized the dogs I always had the most fun with were aussies and aussie mixes. So thats when I turned to aussie rescue. From the moment I saw Brock's (then "Tyler") picture on petfinder, I knew he was the one. A few weeks later, after submitting the adoption application, completing the home visit and meeting him, I adopted him.
I adopted Brock from Aussie Rescue & Placement Helpline, Northwest (ARPH; http://aussierescue.org and http://aussierescuenw.org). Bio: It is difficult to define Brock. He is a little bit hard, and a little bit soft. He is a very intelligent, confident & sensible dog. Not much shakes him. He also has a mind of his own. Developing clear communication and a relationship of respect took a lot of time and learning on my part but now we have something remarkable. Brock is my heart, my life. He is my soul dog. I am so lucky to have found him as my first dog. He has forever changed my life.
Brock has a pure zest for life. Seeing him run full speed in front of a trail of 4 or 5 dogs at the park, tongue flapping out the side of his mouth, seeing his little nub wag, and watching him jump fences at the dog park just for the pure joy of it, brings me indescribable amounts of happiness.
He is always up for anything, going anywhere. He loves nothing more than to be OUTSIDE doing ANYTHING. He enjoys walks, chewing, digging, dissecting toys and cardboard boxes, hiking, chasing crows, squirrely hunting, catching flies, rolling in the grass, playing tug, humping golden retrievers, camping, snowshoeing, going to the beach, swimming, playing fetch (especially swimming & playing fetch at the same time), meeting new people (he LOVES everyone), and basically being where the action is. He also loves training and has dabbled in agility, but currently, at the age of 9, is training in canine nose work, and sheep herding. It is never too late to try something new!!
Brock has had EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) since a week after I got him. Despite living with this rare, and often challenging, chronic digestive disorder, he is still happy, healthy, and active, and has lived a normal life. He also has environmental allergies & is on allergy shots! Forums Motto: Modest Mouseketeer The Groups I'm In: ..:: Herding Breeds Association ::.., A.W.!! (Aussie Wigglebutts!!), All Bout Aussies, Australian Shepherds, Awesome Aussies!, Cameraholics!, Marymoor Mutts, Rescue Aussies, Seattle Dogs, Service Dogs Group, Service Dogs of Northern California Whats in a name: Brock | Pronunciation: 'bräk | Meaning: Badger | Origin: British | Why I chose it: its a strong name and Brock is a large aussie, with very masculine features, its a popular Australian name (though the breed is American), and Im a huge fan of Isaac Brock
Dogster Obsessions: The Starter Kit for Dogs by Wildebeest
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2005 Valentine's Day Party!
