Have you ever stopped at Tate Branch Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and been greeted by a dog with his tail wagging and seemed to have a bright smile on his face? Ever wonder who he was or why he is here?
Roscoe’s story is one of resilience and love, and it’s a tale that has captured the hearts of everyone at Tate Branch Hobbs. About five years ago, the business next to us closed, leaving behind their yard dog. This dog, who we later named Roscoe, would often peer over the short fence separating our properties, his collar dragging a heavy chain. Every day, we called for him, hoping he would come over to us, but every time we got close, he’d bolt away, too scared to trust.
One morning, as I was opening the dealership, I opened the front door, and when I turned back, there he was—Roscoe, standing right beside me. It was a moment of mutual trust and understanding. We immediately removed the collar and chain, freeing him from his past. At first, we tried to take him home, but Roscoe was skittish and wouldn’t let us pick him up or come inside the dealership. It was clear that he wasn’t ready to leave the place he had come to see as his home.
So, instead of forcing him, we welcomed him into the Tate Branch Hobbs family in his own way. We got him a cozy doghouse with a heat lamp to keep him warm during the cold winters, and of course, we made sure he had all the food and treats a pup could ever want. Over time, we learned that Roscoe had probably been punished for going inside before because, despite our best efforts—including offering chicken nuggets and steak—he refused to enter the dealership. We eventually stopped trying to coax him in, realizing that he was happiest outside, where he felt free and safe.
