In the quiet ambiance of an animal shelter in New Braunfels, Texas, a terrier pitbull mix by the name of Rockie stands out, not for the clamor of barks or whimpers, but for the weight of being the longest staying dog at the Humane Society in New Braunfels Area (HSNBA). The one to two-year-old pup, found roaming as a stray in a local park, has been awaiting a family since January, with no claims to his alliance, according to a feature by KENS 5.

"We couldn't figure out why he wasn't getting adopted so last weekend, our Dog Program Manager took him home for a long weekend sleep over," Sarah Hammond, Executive Director at HSNBA, shared with KENS 5. Following the weekend, a report card was crafted, revealing Rockie's exemplary behavior, his fondness for other animals including cats and chickens, and his housetraining skills. Yet, the adoption calls remained as silent as the kennel he retreats to each night.

Rockie's time with the shelter staff painted him as an almost perfect dog, boasting qualities sought by pet owners—affinity towards cuddles, potty trained, crate trained, companionable with other dogs, and even the chickens in the yard stayed unperturbed by his presence. Moreover, Rockie demonstrated a quickness to warm up to strangers, according to KENS 5.

Yet, an air of initial reservation with new people may be what's keeping Rockie from finding a forever home. "Rockie can be just a little bit standoffish with new people which may be why he has been here so long, but once he knows you, he's a great little dog," Sarah expressed in a statement obtained by KENS 5. HSNBA, in an effort to encourage adoptions, has reduced the fee of their adult pit bull mixes to $17 until the end of March, to celebrate "St. Pittie's Month."