Rocky’s former owner kept him outside, and the frail, 17-year-old dog just kept running away.

He would turn up at Anne Arundel County Animal Control (AACAC) in Maryland. When he turned up again in December 2015, he had no idea he was about to get a whole new life.

Beth and Michael Clark were just dropping off some donations at the animal shelter when Beth asked if they could take a quick look at the dogs up for adoption.

When they saw Rocky, they just couldn’t leave without him.

“He just looked so sad,” Beth told The Dodo.

But Rocky wasn’t sad for long.

The senior dog was adopted into his new loving home just in time for Christmas. He was immediately part of the family.

“Everyone loved the story of a young Fort Meade couple who came to AACAC right before Christmas 2015 just to drop off donations, but ending up adopting a frail, 17-year-old dog named Rocky,” Chris Collins, of Friends of AACAC (FAACAC), wrote.

The young couple was so happy to have this new family member with them to celebrate the holidays – and Rocky was so happy to have a family.

“Rocky thrived in his new home,” Collins wrote.

When Beth and Michael learned they were expecting a child, Rocky even helped the happy couple announce their good news.

And Rocky was with Beth all along the way. “When I started showing, he was a lot more attached to me,” Beth said.

Even though Rocky had really started slowing down, he still showed how much he loved his family.

Last week, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Beth had a daughter. The couple named her Hazel.

On Thursday evening, the family came home from the hospital, and Rocky was there to meet his tiny little sister. He looked at her and sniffed her. But it was clear to Beth and Michael that something was wrong. He was very weak and his eyes were glassy.

Just a few hours later, Rocky, well over 18 years old, quietly passed away.

“We’re still adjusting to Rocky not being here,” Beth said. “I’m just really glad he was there when we got home.”

“Dear Hazel: Someday your mom and dad will tell you all about your first dog, Rocky,” FAACAC wrote in a little letter to the Clarks’ new daughter, after learning that Rocky had passed away. “Late Thursday night he peacefully left the world that you just entered.”

Just before Rocky died, Beth and Michael snapped a few photos of Hazel and Rocky together. “Someday, they will show you that picture, and tell you how wonderful and how loved your first dog was, even though your lives only overlapped so very briefly,” FAACAC wrote.

“I hope our story helps other people decide to adopt senior dogs,” Beth added.