In December 2023, we faced the heartbreaking loss of our Rottweiler, Artemis, when her cancer returned. Then, just a month ago in December 2024, we faced another devastating loss: our disabled dog, Calli, slipped on ice, leaving her unable to walk, and couldn’t recover due to her double hip dysplasia. With Calli gone, our Husky, Storm, found herself the only dog in the house, and became noticeably lonely and depressed.
We knew Storm needed a friend to help fill the void left in her life and that’s how we ended up at In the Woods Animal Rescue in Nampa, Alberta where we met this little guy. He’s a 4-to-5-month-old Mastiff mix—likely with some Labrador Retriever and maybe even Boxer in his genes. We brought him home on January 24, 2025 and named him Roscoe, after a sentinel in the Expeditionary Force sci-fi series by Craig Alanson, and in many ways, he’s already living up to that name: he’s our little protector-in-training, loyally looking out for our family while learning the ropes from Storm.
Despite being a puppy, Roscoe is already big; he weighed 32 pounds at adoption and is up to 36 pounds just a week later. His size, however, doesn’t stop him from being the sweetest cuddle buddy. He adores curling up next to us on the couch and resting his head on our laps. Surprisingly, he’s also a great sleeper at night, happily settling down in his crate and snoozing until morning.
When he’s awake, Roscoe’s curiosity takes over, especially around our cats. He hasn’t quite grasped that chewing on their ears isn’t the best way to make friends, but the cats usually just stalk off, more annoyed than upset. We’re working on teaching him to be gentle and respect their space.
Because Roscoe is going to be a large dog – likely over 100lbs but somewhere between 80-120 – we want to give him the healthiest start possible. At first, we fed him Storm’s food (Canadian Naturals Turkey and Salmon), but soon switched him to Acana Large Breed Puppy, our preferred brand for big pups. It’s not cheap, but we believe it’s worth it to support his growth, especially when his weight is climbing so quickly.
Like any puppy, Roscoe requires lots of patience and positive reinforcement. Our main goals right now include:
- Potty Training: We celebrate every success (and clean up after the occasional slip-up).
- Resource Guarding & Food Aggression: We’re teaching him that it’s okay for us to be near his food; we reward calm behavior and gently correct any warning growls.
- Basic Commands: Roscoe is getting the hang of “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Storm, being a classic Husky, doesn’t always jump to obey commands right away, but she isn’t undermining his lessons either. Despite her stubborn streak, Roscoe still seems to learn a lot by watching her.
One of the best things has been watching Storm’s transformation. She’s noticeably happier and more active since Roscoe arrived. They love chasing each other around the snowy yard, tails wagging and tongues hanging out. Even though Roscoe can get a bit rambunctious, Storm is patient, gently putting him in his place when necessary. They’re forming a strong bond, and it’s clear that Roscoe’s presence is helping Storm heal from the loss of Calli.
Our home feels right again, with Roscoe’s goofy energy and Storm’s renewed enthusiasm. While no dog can ever replace the one we lost, opening our home to Roscoe has brought us a new kind of joy. It’s heartwarming to watch him grow, develop new skills, and fit right into our little pack.
We look forward to seeing what adventures lie ahead for both Storm and Roscoe. Though there will be challenges—especially with continued training and the occasional destroyed shoe—the rewards far outweigh the setbacks. In time, we hope to see Roscoe become just as confident and well-behaved as Storm, while keeping that sweet, protective nature that inspired his name.
Welcome home, Roscoe. We’re so thankful you’ve joined our family. Here’s to many happy memories and exciting adventures to come!
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