Rocky Kanaka shares the emotional true story of having a stroke and how his rescue dog Flip sensed something was wrong before anyone else did. Can dogs detect strokes? This deeply personal episode of the Dogs and Coffee Podcast explores the incredible bond between humans and their dogs. Get Rocky’s book “Sitting with Dogs”: https://sites.prh.com/sitting-with-dogs
Become a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjmtIQP07GglNvXijwOcdIQ/join
Denki the Schnauzer Mix – A Shy but Loyal Best Friend Waiting for You!
Dog Rescue Name: paws of love animal rescue
Pet’s Location: dallas TX, 75201
Pet’s Age: 1 Year
Pet’s Size: medium
Pet’s Gender: male
Pet’s Color: black with tan, yellow or fawn
Pet’s Breed: Schnauzer / Mixed (medium coat)
Pet good with dogs? yes
Pet good with cats? yes
Pet good with kids? yes
More on our adoptable dog here: https://rockykanaka.com/adoption/denki-the-schnauzer-mix-a-shy-but-loyal-best-friend-waiting-for-you/
00:00 Intro
00:30 Kelly’s Coffee Order
04:21 The Scoop
14:23 Flip Farms Pupdate (Olive the Black Lab Great Dane Pupdate)
16:35 I had a stroke
44:24 Adoptable Dog
46:26 Covering Adoption Fee through Memberships
47:22 Dog Triva
50:30 Kellys Always Right
Dogs and Coffee Podcast by Rocky Kanaka and Kelly Kanaka talks all things dogs and coffee. This podcast covers comedy to heartfelt moments talking about the state of dog rescue, how to handle difficult dogs, some of our favorite coffee drinks and more all while Rocky tries to be a barista. We serve Flip Coffee at local cafes and will hopefully do this around the country.
Follow Rocky: https://www.instagram.com/rockykanaka
Follow Kelly: https://www.instagram.com/kelly.kanaka
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If I am being honest sharing this is a little uncomfortable but I hope it helps you prepare or heal if you have ever been through something like this. Dogs save us, heal us, give us grace, accept us for who we are and I am lucky to be alive today because of dogs 🐶❤
Who the heck in their right mind…
Would spend $30.00 cup?
☕️ 🤔❓️🤔 ☕️
🤪 😜 🤪
I’m 🤣 with the cost of a cup of coffee conversation! This could totally be me and my husband having the same conversation. He gets so annoyed with all of my qualifying questions!
A lot of coffee shops add way too much hot water to an Americano. I got one a while back that was coffee colored water. It was a 12 ounce to go cup. Which should have had two shots in it and I paid for two shots. They refused to add the other shot of espresso and a refund. It was a small kiosk drive up. So, I posted about it on Google maps reviews under the ad for the coffee kiosk. They lasted a bit, until they got enough bad press they shut down and another chain took it over and now the same kiosk had a facelift and its a taco place. I was not the only negative review. I am a former Barista and managed an offshoot of a well known high end coffee shop in New Haven, CT. I worked for one of the Co-CEOs brother. Americano. 1 shot per 5 oz of hot water. Some folks like it a bit weaker and that is their choice, but the standard is 1 to 5. A cup of coffee in an old fashioned coffee cup is 6 oz and that is how coffee is measured in coffee machines. To the rim they hold 8 ounces, but 6 oz leaves room for stirring and cream and sugar. Coffee mugs vary.
Love this episode. I love seeing what you two have, it’s beautiful. Life has ups and downs, marriages have ups and downs, but at the end of the day, THIS IS THE STUFF THAT MATTERS! You guys are incredible, giving humans, I imagine that your sweet children are so precious and special little humans. I live in Idaho, but if I ever ran into you, I would hug you both and think you’re my best friends! God Bless you, and your precious family. Thank you for all you do and give to our world. Hugs to you, my friends. ❤️❤️❤️
Oh, and btw, I have a little (very little, not quite 4 lbs) Yorkie. She’s the first dog I’ve had in over 15 years. Her name is ZOEY! Just thought I would share because you had a Zoey.
“I was trying to leave because they were taking so long”. Rocky you’re such a man 😂
I lost my rescue pittbull unexpectedly on 12/30/25. I’ve had her for 11 years. I’m having a really hard time thinking about getting another dog, on one hand I want to rescue another, but they aren’t her so it makes it really hard. At the same time I know I need another dog, but my mom is against it after losing Sasha.
I am an RN how mostly specialized in Cardiology and I can’t say thanks enough for talking about your experience! Having a stroke comes in such a range of symptoms and severity , but the most important thing is to get treatment asap so you have the best chance for clot busters or treatments of complications. All the rest you talked about is even more important! I just wanted to put in my two cents as nurses usually do- and sometimes annoyingly 😂 Love and purpose is so important!
omg too much bs before the program
0:37 I love my dogs so much but "nothing else matters' is missing the Creator of those dogs we both love. Jesus is Lord!
So happy you are ok. I had a mini stroke (TIA) and two heart attacks. Although I am older than you. Love dogs too.❤❤
i had a sroke 4yrs ago i still have side effects from it dizzy spells speech problems in writing and from mouth lol no reason medicaly that i should have one my rottie since has been a momas girl dogs litteraly are angels without wings
Thank you so much for sharing this! We just recently lost a really good friend of ours (on Feb. 13th, which happened to be my partner’s birthday!) It was so unexpected! Your experience confirms that age has nothing to do with what could be the end…
I also TRULY love it that you two openly express your love for each other!
Last but not least, THANKS Á MILLION for all the things you do for the dogs! I’ll join the community and I will send a donation in the near future.
Watching and had to comment that I have a PFO – from birth (I’m 57) thankfully no symptoms 👏 – hubby knows – glad Flip was there and alerted you ❤
Wait. I know there's a coastal difference, regional difference yada yada, but coffee… a cup of coffee… how much?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
I know of people who don't have electricity and I don't know if my perception can be elastic enough to cross that chasm, lol. I'm digressing…
You gave Kelly such easy questions!
We all need to write our congress person and senator to ask them to stop the big corporate buy outs of veterinarian practices. This has doubled our costs as pet parents. My dog needs a large tooth pulled due to a crack in it. Dog not showing any signs of this but I have to take my vets word on it. I asked for an estimated cost and got back a high cost of over 2k and a low cost of $1500! That is madness! She is a lab but not a big one, under 70 lbs. Just walking into a vet costs $100. This can be stopped, we can stop this madness. I won't be able to get another pet if these high costs continue to rise. Many others feel the same. How many pets are going without care due to these outrageous costs? Lets all start a writing campaign. thank You
I also had a stroke from a PFO! I was a flutist who always struggled with low breath control. I was actually relieved to finally understand why!
The heart surgery was remarkably easy. My overarching emotion was gratitude to the Lord that the PFO was discovered before I had a more serious stroke.
Thanks for sharing your story!
Dogs are awesome in letting you know that something is wrong. That's why there are so many service dogs, especially seizure dogs. I worked ER for 20 years and had a patient that had an implanted magnet as well as a seizure dog. When the dog signaled, this guy would use his watch band or a detachable magnet from his belt, swipe it over the implant, and then watch his dog. If the dog signaled again, the guy would lay down wherever he was and swipe the magnate again. If the dog continued to signal, this guy would place himself in the recovery position so that he was safe during the seizure. Dog nudged him until he came to, and all was well. No reason to call 911 because this was normal.
So glad that your dog tried to knock you over so that you were safe if you started to fall. That's what he was doing by hitting you in the knee. Trying to keep you safe and honestly, "safe" is not falling down. You can be as healthy as you can be, doing all of the right things, and still have a stroke. Kids have strokes. I'm just glad that you half listened to your dog. That dog saved your quality of life. Maybe not your life (I have no idea why you stroked), but at least he alerted you before you had permanent disability.
Thanks be to God for your recovery!
This brought back memories of my father's stroke. He insisted he didn't have a stroke. All the people around him believed him — no Flip to save him. We can be disoriented after an acute stroke and aren't in any position to judge. By the time I took him to the ER, it was too late for the right meds, and he became permanently paralyzed.
Another reason to love boxers!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Stent surgery, protecting arteries from collapse AKA MAGIC😊❤!
You called it right…an Americano is watered down espresso, with @ lighter roast bean😊
I just wanted to say that I really enjoy all of your videos and I too love dogs. They are a very special gift from God. I also wanted to say in your reflection on having a stroke, Jesus has spared your life and wants you to give your life to Him. Ultimately, He’s the one who saved your life. He took our place on the cross to cover our sins, you just need to repent and put your faith in him. Use your platform to give Him the glory and keep up the good work of saving dogs. Love your videos!
Hi Rocky and Kelly. Your story has woken a couple of life changing events in mine and my husband’s life. 20 years ago hubby had a medical and like you, passed it with no issues. Two days later he had a heart attack. I was at work, so he was home alone. The neighbour found him, and our two one year old Labrador retrievers, who did not leave his side until the ambulance arrived. Those two dogs watched him like a hawk until he fully recovered. Two years later I suffered a huge event that resulted in me being diagnosed with PTSD. Our dogs knew I was not well and they would not leave me alone. They even changed their sleeping habits. During the day, while I would sleep, one would sleep right beside my bed and the other would sleep in the doorway of the bedroom. We idolised our boys and I’m sure they loved us just as much. We lost them in 2017 & 2018 and we both still miss them every day. We have their ashes with us and will scatter them at their favourite swimming hole one day. To this day I have them as my id photo.
Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you and Kelly all the happiness you deserve. Lots of love from Denise in Australia 🇦🇺 ❤❤❤❤❤❤
GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU IN HIS WILL. 🙏🙏🏽🙏🏻♥️🩷❤️🥰🥰🥰
I would never pay more than £3. For a coffee
Do what? Perfect couple
What coffee brewer can you recommend? I van smell the aroma of coffee ☕️ floating through the air .
Thank you for your consideration.
Terrifying thank God you made a full recovery thank you for sharing touching lives .
You guys are Awesome! I Love your Connection to each other and to the Awesome dogs and people you help. I'm So glad that Rockey's Ok.
This episode was so emotional.. and reading the comments.. I'm glad you are doing good now. I'm praying for you all to be healthy and happy for many years to come!
Thank you Rochy for sharing this. What an amazing dog Flip was. He was beautiful. I found your channel an few months ago and could join by sure luck. Just love your channel. Bring so much peace to my soul. Love you all
I'm a handler to a now retired super sweet poodle service dog Indy, who was supposed to go to my mom but ended up going to me instead because Indy refused to let her be her person. A lot of the time I think it's because she knew my mom wasn't treating me well (I was usually starved, gaslit, guilt tripped, and forced to give all wages to her to provide for my siblings), and another was likely that I was simply unwell and she knew that.
Regardless… when I was almost twenty, I had a TBI causing stroke from untreated Thyroid Storms. The ER accused me of faking it (I spent twelve hours paralyzed on one side of my body, fully mute, and having anxiety attacks) and sent me home. Hours later I started having violent constant and seemingly never ending seizures. Indy started recognizing them and both the signs and how my scent changes before they happen, within days.
With my condition being so poor, the amount of time I was spending in ERs, her previous experience as a therapy dog, and my background growing up in a dog breeder's household, she was brought with me to ERs as a last ditch effort and was allowed back because I had a seizure from the stress and went into cardiac failure. I came back around to find her having tucked herself neatly under my husband's chair, laying there and watching me, waiting for me patiently to wake back up.
My mom and another trainer had been telling me for weeks to make her a service animal with the rare inherited only seizure detection ability, calm temperment, and deliberate focus and so I spent the next six months under more Adivan than I would've liked and completely mute… but still getting up every day to work with her, train with her, desensitize her, and make sure it was what she wanted to do.
She retired in February this year (2026) and now enjoys lazy sunny naps, hundreds of squeaky balls, and politely requesting ham from the fridge even though she just had dinner. I'll always be grateful to her for being the reason I survived what I did, and both being my best friend, and simulataneously saving my life every day for six of the hardest years of my life.
Geez that sucks man. I had a tear in my eyes as you told this story and seeing your wife's emotions. Its a hard thing to talk about and I too use comedy and laughter to deal with it.
I also had a stroke in 2014 at the age of 50. 5'8" 170lbs and in great shape. Was in an IT job that I usually walked from 3-4 miles a day, wife and I did alot of hiking etc. All physicals were bang on excellent. I was at work on a Friday afternoon writing some emails and all the sudden I was looking at what I wrote and I didn't know what the words were????
I tried to read them and none of them made sense to me. I started to feel really weird at that point and my vision all the sudden went really blurry. I went to the office and talked with my friend the Principle. He said dude you need to go to the hospital.
Ended up going to a optometrist nearby and they said the same thing but they wouldn't tell me why.
Anyway I went to the hospital next day and they confirmed I had a TIA and I lost about 80% of the vision in my left eye. A piece of a blockage in my artery broke off and blocked the main vein for my left eye.
Since then I have about 50% vision back and I really don't notice it now. I dodged a huge bullet there and recovery was about 3 months before I could go back to work.
As I was recovering my wife was working and looking after me, she fell down our stairs and hit her head on one of the treads really hard.
SO then she started to go blind and having really bad seizures and had to stop working. Now she is legally blind and only sees fuzzy shapes.
How life turns on a dime. But you have to keep going.
We also have saved I don't know how many stray cats in our life. Most of which have stayed with us until they past.
cheers
Guest suggestion: Robert Cabral, GOAT of dog training.
Has an dog/animal lover I love the work you do… You're both beautiful souls…Rocky I love to watch a sit with the dogs you work wonders thank you so much
What if they were already creamated? Someplace cremated there's together.
I had my dog Buddy cremated 19 years ago..He sits in my kitchen, on my shelf. My present JRT is 15 and I know her time is coming.I love my dogs sooo much, i cant give them up, even in death..
You guys are hilarious 🤣 luv yr tears💖 rocky dialing 911 with 1 thumb working 😂 thank you for sharing this a beautiful story glad you're okay
I cant become a member cuz im still batteling homelessness so all i can do is watch the dog videos and like them
I was going to message you Rocky because I saw in your eyes that you were not well. Occasionally, I see things in a person’s eyes…such as illness. I don’t know if that’s a gift or a curse. Maybe that’s why animals gravitate to . Thank goodness you no longer have that look anymore and I’m thankful that you don’t.