Rocco, the cherished English bulldog belonging to Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, has passed away after 13 years as his loyal companion.
Thompson shared his grief over Rocco`s passing on Instagram Friday, reflecting on their many years together and expressing hopes for his peace in the afterlife.
“I`m going to miss Rocco deeply after 13 wonderful years with him,” Thompson wrote. He expressed hope that the dog was now “in doggy heaven poppin somebody`s ball,” calling him “A great dynasty dog.” He also thanked people for their kind messages, stating, “All dogs go to Heaven!”
Rocco gained popularity while Thompson was a member of the Golden State Warriors` dominant “Splash Brothers,” becoming a fan favorite as the All-Star guard`s constant companion.
In a 2019 interview with GQ Sports, Thompson named the bulldog as his top essential item.
Thompson described Rocco as a “loyal steed” and highlighted his significance as his very first pet, saying the dog would “forever hold a special place in my heart buddy.”
Rocco even had his own popular Instagram account, boasting over 60,000 followers, where photos of him and Thompson were often shared.
Several notable figures, including Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Enrique Hernandez, and rapper G-Eazy, offered their condolences in the comments section of Thompson`s post. The Golden State Warriors team also posted a tribute to Rocco.
