The 'world’s luckiest dog' is up and walking less than a week after being run over by a bus.
Rocky, a one-year-old Bichon Frise, broke both hips after being crushed under the wheels of a school singledecker.
But the pup left vets “astounded” as he was bouncing around when his family saw him just three days after a major operation.
Owner Matthew Lane said: “On Monday morning it was touch and go.
“His nose was bleeding and we thought we had lost him. No one really survives that, let alone a little dog.
“It’s nothing short of a miracle, in all honesty.”
Vets, who said Rocky would only improve gradually from his accident, are now hoping he will make a full recovery.
Rocky dashed through the door as Matthew’s son Jack, 16, left for college.
Jack was the one who ran after Rocky, scooping him up from the road. Rocky had never run outside before.
Matthew, who works with adults with learning disabilities, said: “There was nothing anyone could have done about it. He literally shot straight out the door.”
Rocky has now had a plate fitted around his hips and back and is staying at Matthew’s mother-in-law, Judith Plyer, 64, while he recovers.
Before the accident, Rocky was extremely lively, with a lovely temper and a eagerness to be around people.
Matthew, 44, of Crewkerne, near Yeovil, Somerset and his wife Laura, 38, have eight kids, between the ages of 17 and 7 months.
Three of his youngest - Melody, who is nearly two, Elsie who is three, and Joe, who is five – have particularly welcomed the one-year-old pup into their gang.
Matthew said: “He likes messing about with the younger ones – he sees himself as one of them.
“They like jumping around together, but if his plate slips he will probably never walk again.”
So Rocky is staying with Judith for a bit longer to allow him to recover.
Rocky was run over by the bus on Monday March 21, had his operation on Wednesday, came home on Friday and was back walking by Saturday.
He was first taken to Kingfisher Vets in Crewkerne, before being transferred to Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists in Ringwood, near Bournemouth, for his operation.
Now, with half his body shaved for the operation, Rocky is eager to get back into family life.
Matthew said: “He was so excited to see us all on Friday.
“Because they have left his tail when shaving it looks like a big fluffy towel on the back of a chicken!
“So of course, when he sees anybody his tail is going ten to the dozen!”
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
