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hihuahuas. Some consider them to be accessories to humans. Rosie, the tailless chihuahua, has shown that she is much more than an accessory.

She’s surrounded by four-legged giants – two Anatolian Shepherds and one German Shepherd. Yet pound for pound (all eight of them), Rosie is the toughest dog on the block.

Rosie greeting customers on the deck of Endurance Seafood.

Soon after joining the Bruno family, Rosie was involved in an incident that should have taken her life. Instead, she made a near-perfect recovery.

For her perseverance and sheer will to survive, Rosie is the TownDock Pet of the Month.

Around 2020, an ad was placed to rehome Rosie; her then-human was moving and couldn’t take Rosie along. The Brunos saw the ads and, being home to three large dogs already – Anatolian Shepherds Finley and Fisher, and German Shepherd Halo – decided to take her. As Keith Bruno said, “this one doesn’t take up much room.”

Rosie and her humans Marianne and Keith Bruno.

The small dog arrived and formed an instant bond with family’s matriarch. “She’s Marianne’s dog,” said Keith, “she cannot sit down in the house without the dog being in her lap.”

They even named her after Marianne’s mother, Rose.

And when Marianne speaks, Rosie listens. Keith “can call her from my lap, and she won’t listen.” Says Marianne, “but when I tap her and say, go see your daddy, she gets up and goes.”

Their bond was instant, but was strengthened through constant care and compassion.

Rosie’s much larger siblings: Finley, Fisher, and Halo.

Not too long after Rosie moved in with the Brunos, their dog Finley picked her up and shook her. The Chihuahua sustained severe injuries and blood loss. Her humans rushed her to Dr. Sheri Hicks at Oriental Veterinary Hospital.

It didn’t look good.

An IV was placed and X-rays were taken. Rosie’s spine was not broken, and there was a possibility she would survive. The Brunos decided to commit to her care, bolstered by continual support from Dr. Hicks.

“It was three weeks of this dog not able to lift her head because she was that destroyed,” said Keith.

Rosie’s favorite place: Marianne’s lap.

“We had to do everything for her. We hand-fed her,” recalls Marianne.

It took several weeks, but Rosie finally began showing signs of life.

“One day, she was sitting on my lap,” said Marianne, “the white dog that attacked her came by and with every ounce energy she could pull together, she pealed to her little lips back and growled. That was the first thing we’d heard in weeks. We thought, ‘Holy Cow, there’s hope.’”

Rosie has many outfits. This one helps her blend in with the chickens in the yard.

It took several more weeks of care, and Rosie went from struggling to sit up, to stumbling around in circles, to walking perfectly straight – but she eventually made a full recovery.

“She’s a miracle dog,” said Keith.

These days, Rosie can be found snuggling up to Marianne or cuddling with Fisher. She steers clear of Finley, who now wears a muzzle.

Rosie reclines atop her dog friend Fisher.

Wherever Marianne is, Rosie is right there. Even in the car. The small Chihuahua likes to push the window buttons. “I have to keep her on a leash because I don’t want her to fall out,” says Marianne. So far, so good.

Despite her earlier trauma, Rosie has settled in and found her place with the Bruno family: as Marianne Bruno’s favorite canine companion.

Rosie. Miss June TownDock.net Pet of the Month.

Rosie, Miss June 2025.

Celebrity Most Resembles: Cheech Marin

Professional aspirations: Part-time model
Favorite Song: Theme from “Rocky”
Likes: Her favorite human (Marianne) and her dog brother Fisher
Dislikes: Ducks and dog Finley
Known for: Her loyalty to her human
Rules to live by: What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. At the same time, stay away from things that might kill you.

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Story by Christa Martin. Photos by Christa Martin, Marianne and Keith Bruno.

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Know a pet that is a standout? Send in some details and a photo to info@towndock.net. Tell why that pet deserves the coveted TownDock.net Pet of the Month Prize Package --- accolades, a pat on the head (snakes excluded) and a box of Milk Bones ( or snack suitable for the species). We regret that we cannot offer a college scholarship to Pet Of The Month winners. Animals caught near the HarborCam attempting to suck up to the judges will be disqualified.