A boy and a dog...learning life’s lessons together !

Danny Rogotzke, 11, has a new pal, a purebred German Shepherd — Rex Renegade Rogotzke — four months old.

“I have always wanted a dog,” said Danny during a recent interview with his dog at his side. “They say dogs are man’s best friend. I wanted a little companion.”

But, Danny didn’t want just any dog. He wanted a purebred German Shepherd and he was willing to earn the money to buy the dog.

Danny had read the story of Sergeant Rex by Mike Dowling, the story of a U.S. Marine and his dog Rex, based on a true-story of a bomb-sniffing German Shepherd, who forged a bond of trust and loyalty while serving on the war-torn streets of Iraq’s most dangerous city. “That’s what I want to be when I’m older —  a Marine dog handler,” Danny explained. 

But, he had to sell the idea of dog ownership to his parents, Jim and Sara Rogotzke.

“It is much different and a greater responsibility having a dog in town than in the country where it can run and roam freely,” said Sara. “There’s a responsibility of being considerate and respecting the people in the neighborhood.” 

So, Danny made a deal with his parents; if he wanted a dog he had to work for it. It was not going to be a given. That, however, didn’t deter him.  “He had his heart set on a purebred German Shepherd and, indeed, he was willing to work for it. He made flyers and distributed them, advertising his willingness to work.  He did dog sitting, dog walking, mowed lawns, pulled weeds, and did all sorts of chores to raise the money. “I gave him nothing other than what he earned,” said his mother, proudly.  “He also paid the veterinarian bill, and bought toys and dog food.” 

“My grandma and grandpa (Glenn and Fran Schmitz) helped me buy the kennel and put the kennel together, and they helped me find the dog, and helped me with everything,” Danny gratefully acknowledged.  “Grandma and Mom went with me” shopping for a dog.  Grandpa built the kennel.”

Rex is being trained to be an outside dog. He will be at home in his kennel on a slab of cement in the yard of neighbor Jocko Meyers. Meyers had a golden lab named Ike, once housed in that kennel, and now that he no longer has the dog, Meyers offered a place for Rex.