Meet Rocky, "My RockStar" 
This story comes from Cristin Nataro of Berlin, NJ, of her 7-year-old guy Nataro's Rock 'N' Roll AX MXJ OAP OJP CGC "Rocky".

This is the story of Rocky, a dog with a heart of gold who has made my dreams come true. It all started back in 2001 when my dad finally decided we could get a dog, I had been waiting for that moment my entire life. We decided to get a rescue because we weren't home enough for a puppy. We looked online and came across G.R.A.P.E Golden Retriever Rescue; we decided to get a dog from this organization. At the time they didn't have any dogs that fit our needs but they said they would let us know we they got one.

After a few weeks we got a call saying that they had a dog for us and they would bring him over. I will never forget the first moment that I saw Rocky; he was beautiful, young and happy. He came running towards me with such enthusiasm, it was like he had known me forever. I couldn't have been more thrilled with him, it truly was one of the happiest moments of my life.

Poor Rocky came to us with bruises on his head and he need to have all the hair on the top of his head shaved but that never stopped him from being the happy, loving dog that he is. That was back when he was 2 and I was 12, now in 2007 he is going to be 8 and I'm 18. I can't believe how the time has flown by. Rocky and I have grown up together learning to deal with life's joys and pain, almost all of my memories have Rocky in them. I can't imagine not having him in my life.

We have learned many things in our time together, the one most important thing is agility. Rocky was my first agility dog, we began to train back in 2004 and never looked back. Rocky began to compete a year later and with less then one month of trialing he went to the 2005 GRCA Nationals and placed 2nd in Open JWW!! This was one of my greatest moments, I couldn't have been more proud of my boy! I will always remember when someone at the show said to me 'He is gorgeous, who is he out of?' at first I was surprised because no one has ever asked me that before but I simply replied 'I don't know, he's a rescue.'

As of today Rocky has attained his NA NAJ OA OAJ AX AXJ MXJ NAP NJP OAP OJP and CGC, he is just 2 legs away from his MX and has 5 QQ's. Sadly though I will be forced to retire Rocky from agility after this fall season and the completion of his MX. It was not the easiest decision to make however I thought it was the best for him, seeing has his arthritis has gotten worse over the years and I would hate for him to have more issues has he ages.

Rocky has and will always be the best dog I have ever owned, he has given me so much over the years. He has showed me the importance of love, loyalty and patience. He has taught me how to cherish every moment because it may be your last. He has shown me the true meaning of friendship and how to be a better person. Rocky had changed my life and will always be my heart dog. It saddens me to see him get older because I know he will not always be by my side.

The best part about Rocky is that he was a rescue, he was unwanted and about to be euthanized. However I believe god had a greater plan for him, I believe he sent Rocky here to be my angel. I don't think I could ever have another dog that will be as good as Rocky. He will always be my angel, my hero and my best friend. My life just wouldn't be complete without him in it. He will always be known as Rocky the rescue to all our friends but to me he will always be the angel I have been blessed to share my life with.