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Rocky: The True Story of a Dog Who Adopted Humans Nobody Else Wanted
Do you know what grief therapists recommend when you lose love of your life—talk to your family and friends. But what do you tell them when your only family and friend is your dog, the one you just lost?
Will they understand? Will anyone understand?
Pet loss can expose you to tiring explanations. You must explain to your boss that you need some time off because you lost your (special) family member. You must explain to your friends that there is only one friend who never left your side, your best friend. You must explain to your social media followers that a sad face emoji does not lessen the pain.
Pet loss can also be the greatest spiritual experience that you’ll ever go through. But to experience something great, you first must heal, and healing is possible only when you allow yourself to be shaken to the core.
Do you believe in the Rainbow Bridge story—the magical place where pets wait for their humans until they all meet again? If so, that’s heartwarming, but this is not such a story.
This is a story about angels called pets who never leave their humans behind. The angel in this story is called Rocky.
Maybe you will find something in this book that will remind you of your story and your angel…
Will they understand? Will anyone understand?
Pet loss can expose you to tiring explanations. You must explain to your boss that you need some time off because you lost your (special) family member. You must explain to your friends that there is only one friend who never left your side, your best friend. You must explain to your social media followers that a sad face emoji does not lessen the pain.
Pet loss can also be the greatest spiritual experience that you’ll ever go through. But to experience something great, you first must heal, and healing is possible only when you allow yourself to be shaken to the core.
Do you believe in the Rainbow Bridge story—the magical place where pets wait for their humans until they all meet again? If so, that’s heartwarming, but this is not such a story.
This is a story about angels called pets who never leave their humans behind. The angel in this story is called Rocky.
Maybe you will find something in this book that will remind you of your story and your angel…
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 17, 2026
This book is a fascinating account of how a woman copes with her grief after losing her elderly dog, Rocky, until another stray dog comes into her life. Interesting reading and perfectly captures the bond between a human and a canine.
November 28, 2024
Heartbreaking but Uplifting
This is a story of love and loss, and how one special stray changed the author’s life.
Even before escaping the Bosnian war for the USA, she felt like an outsider who struggled to fit in and find her place. As a result, she was angry, closed, and defensive – and since the world often mirrors our own energy and actions, found herself stuck in an abusive relationship.
At some stage, everyone suffers grief and loss, but thankfully, few of us will ever have to say that on top of life’s betrayals, “I lost my country.” My heart grieves for the pain this lady endured.
The book really captures the essence of that special dog/human bond. Stories, snapshots, collections of letters and the occasional poem cleverly bring to light how a dog’s unconditional love for someone who feels themselves unlovable helps the author grow. Not only does he support her through the troubled waters of life and loss, he guides her along the path of self-discovery, where she finds a far happier and more fulfilled version of herself.
Parts of the story challenged me; I am not religious and as a scientist, am sceptical about some alternative therapies. So was the author, but the results spoke for themselves. One reason I read memoir is to learn and understand other lives and beliefs, so I found this intriguing and enlightening.
Whether you just love dogs, or are trying to navigate your way through grief, this book will sing to you. You will not find a more tender celebration of the bond between a human and a dog, and the transformational nature of that unique relationship.
Rocky’s story is an affirmation that humans do not rescue dogs.
Often, they rescue us.
I received a copy of this book as a prize in a competition, but am voluntarily leaving my own honest and unbiased review.
This is a story of love and loss, and how one special stray changed the author’s life.
Even before escaping the Bosnian war for the USA, she felt like an outsider who struggled to fit in and find her place. As a result, she was angry, closed, and defensive – and since the world often mirrors our own energy and actions, found herself stuck in an abusive relationship.
At some stage, everyone suffers grief and loss, but thankfully, few of us will ever have to say that on top of life’s betrayals, “I lost my country.” My heart grieves for the pain this lady endured.
The book really captures the essence of that special dog/human bond. Stories, snapshots, collections of letters and the occasional poem cleverly bring to light how a dog’s unconditional love for someone who feels themselves unlovable helps the author grow. Not only does he support her through the troubled waters of life and loss, he guides her along the path of self-discovery, where she finds a far happier and more fulfilled version of herself.
Parts of the story challenged me; I am not religious and as a scientist, am sceptical about some alternative therapies. So was the author, but the results spoke for themselves. One reason I read memoir is to learn and understand other lives and beliefs, so I found this intriguing and enlightening.
Whether you just love dogs, or are trying to navigate your way through grief, this book will sing to you. You will not find a more tender celebration of the bond between a human and a dog, and the transformational nature of that unique relationship.
Rocky’s story is an affirmation that humans do not rescue dogs.
Often, they rescue us.
I received a copy of this book as a prize in a competition, but am voluntarily leaving my own honest and unbiased review.
February 3, 2026
Rocky: The True Story of a Dog Who Adopted Humans Nobody Else Wanted is just a book about losing a dog. It’s about losing the one soul who knew you completely, stood between you and the world, and loved you. He loved you without condition or explanation.
Snjezana Marinkovic writes from a place most of us never want to visit but eventually do. Grief. Displacement. Loneliness. She knows loss in a way very few can imagine. She fled war-torn Sarajevo and rebuilt her life in a country where she still felt like an outsider. Into that emptiness walks Rocky, a stray who quietly flips the rescue narrative on its head. He doesn’t get saved. He saves.
This book captures what it feels like when your dog is your family, your constant, your witness. Explaining that loss feels exhausting and inadequate. Marinkovic’s use of stories, letters, snapshots, and poetry mirrors how grief actually works. It is fragmented, tender, and honest. You may think it unusual for someone to say so much for "just a pet." If you do, you’ve never shared the special bond this book describes so well.
Rocky is written as he deserves to be: not a pet, not a symbol, but a hero. Anyone who has ever loved a dog will recognize this bond instantly. Anyone navigating grief will feel understood. This book doesn’t ask you to believe that dogs rescue us. It simply shows you they do.
Finally, a comment about the beautiful writing: Marinkovic is a remarkable talent. I have not read her other works, but I intend to. I do not share her belief in the spirit world, though I do believe firmly in an afterlife (Heaven). The idea of constant visitation by lost loved ones is a stretch for me. Nonetheless, the author delivers this perspective quite eloquently.
Snjezana Marinkovic writes from a place most of us never want to visit but eventually do. Grief. Displacement. Loneliness. She knows loss in a way very few can imagine. She fled war-torn Sarajevo and rebuilt her life in a country where she still felt like an outsider. Into that emptiness walks Rocky, a stray who quietly flips the rescue narrative on its head. He doesn’t get saved. He saves.
This book captures what it feels like when your dog is your family, your constant, your witness. Explaining that loss feels exhausting and inadequate. Marinkovic’s use of stories, letters, snapshots, and poetry mirrors how grief actually works. It is fragmented, tender, and honest. You may think it unusual for someone to say so much for "just a pet." If you do, you’ve never shared the special bond this book describes so well.
Rocky is written as he deserves to be: not a pet, not a symbol, but a hero. Anyone who has ever loved a dog will recognize this bond instantly. Anyone navigating grief will feel understood. This book doesn’t ask you to believe that dogs rescue us. It simply shows you they do.
Finally, a comment about the beautiful writing: Marinkovic is a remarkable talent. I have not read her other works, but I intend to. I do not share her belief in the spirit world, though I do believe firmly in an afterlife (Heaven). The idea of constant visitation by lost loved ones is a stretch for me. Nonetheless, the author delivers this perspective quite eloquently.
July 2, 2026
Rocky, by Snjezana Marinkovic.
Heartbreaking, Inspiring, Remarkable.
This is not just a story about a grief-stricken young woman suffering the loss of her beloved dog, Rocky.
This is a celebration of life – the special, unbreakable bond between a human and an animal. It is a story about friendships, loyalty, trust and an enduring love.
The story details events a bit like a diary, taking you back to Rocky’s life and the wonderful years spent with his human companion. Yet, the story is so much more than that. It’s compelling reading. I admit it is heart-breaking to read at times, making me stop reading to take a calming breath.
Though, on reflection, the story is upbeat, informative, covering interesting information concerning animal communication, dietary needs, and health issues in dogs. Which I found to be quite an eye-opener.
I could empathise completely with the events, feeling the intense emotion tighten in my chest, because I too have shared my life with a special four-legged friend. He was a friend like no other and will never be forgotten.
I loved the caring vibe as the focus moved to helping abandoned and homeless dogs find safety and loving new homes.
It is a story of perseverance, hope and resilience. A true story about friendship, family bonds which extends to all living beings.
Some lovely photos of Rocky are scattered throughout the book. An enjoyable, emotional read, with an uplifting ending.
Heartbreaking, Inspiring, Remarkable.
This is not just a story about a grief-stricken young woman suffering the loss of her beloved dog, Rocky.
This is a celebration of life – the special, unbreakable bond between a human and an animal. It is a story about friendships, loyalty, trust and an enduring love.
The story details events a bit like a diary, taking you back to Rocky’s life and the wonderful years spent with his human companion. Yet, the story is so much more than that. It’s compelling reading. I admit it is heart-breaking to read at times, making me stop reading to take a calming breath.
Though, on reflection, the story is upbeat, informative, covering interesting information concerning animal communication, dietary needs, and health issues in dogs. Which I found to be quite an eye-opener.
I could empathise completely with the events, feeling the intense emotion tighten in my chest, because I too have shared my life with a special four-legged friend. He was a friend like no other and will never be forgotten.
I loved the caring vibe as the focus moved to helping abandoned and homeless dogs find safety and loving new homes.
It is a story of perseverance, hope and resilience. A true story about friendship, family bonds which extends to all living beings.
Some lovely photos of Rocky are scattered throughout the book. An enjoyable, emotional read, with an uplifting ending.
January 22, 2025
I chose to read this book because my first family dog was also named Rocky and even though it's been 16 years since he passed I still miss him! This book is a sweet story about the power that pets can bring. Reading about Rocky was so special. It's very obvious the author and her family had a very strong bond with him!
That said, I feel like it would have been nicer to read if the timeline was more organized. It jumps around a lot—from the past to the present and back again—which makes it hard to follow sometimes. I also would’ve loved to hear more about the author’s life, which was totally fascinating and the challenges she's faced as they occured.
It’s a heartwarming read, but the story could’ve been told in a way that flowed better. Still, if you love dogs and uplifting stories, it’s a nice read.
That said, I feel like it would have been nicer to read if the timeline was more organized. It jumps around a lot—from the past to the present and back again—which makes it hard to follow sometimes. I also would’ve loved to hear more about the author’s life, which was totally fascinating and the challenges she's faced as they occured.
It’s a heartwarming read, but the story could’ve been told in a way that flowed better. Still, if you love dogs and uplifting stories, it’s a nice read.
July 6, 2026
The Power of Unconditional Love
When a life so broken can only be healed through the unexpected means of a dog’s pure love. This is a memoir that doesn’t stop at the deeply moving experience of loving and losing a family pet. The author embraces all Rocky brought into her life to find her path of spiritual healing. “My past and future with Rocky are now.” And here is the universal truth. What unconditional love has joined, nothing can separate. The author’s humility, honesty, and devotion make this a moving journey of love and deliverance.
When a life so broken can only be healed through the unexpected means of a dog’s pure love. This is a memoir that doesn’t stop at the deeply moving experience of loving and losing a family pet. The author embraces all Rocky brought into her life to find her path of spiritual healing. “My past and future with Rocky are now.” And here is the universal truth. What unconditional love has joined, nothing can separate. The author’s humility, honesty, and devotion make this a moving journey of love and deliverance.
January 22, 2025
I found this book at times difficult to read but impossible to put down. The author tells a beautiful story about the intense bond she and her daughter have with Rocky a dog she saved from a life on the streets who wound up saving her from the life of trauma and neglect she was living. Rocky helps her to live and love again. Anyone who has ever rescued a dog will identify with this story.
From one dog lover to another, thank you for sharing this story.
From one dog lover to another, thank you for sharing this story.
August 1, 2026
Love love loooooved this book so much.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews