7/15/06: I am pleased to introduce "Rocky", a handsome 4yr. old, AKC Golden Retriever who charmed me from the moment he came to our house! This sweet boy was surrendered to RAGOM because of family circumstances. Rocky was a perfect gentleman in the car on the way to our house. He peacefully looked out the window and had no separation anxiety at all.

Rocky is 100% Golden through and through: friendly, loveable, playful, easy going, sweet, sociable, and eager to please! Within the first 15 minutes in our home he put his sweet little head in my lap and looked up at me with his beautiful brown eyes.

Rocky is a small male and weighs around 60 lbs. He has adorable dark brown eyes, nicely shaped head, and a perfectly proportioned body. Rocky grew up with 2 children and gets along with kids of all ages. He also likes other dogs and does not display any aggression at all. I think he would love being in a home with one or more kids and another dog for a playmate. Rocky is as playful as a puppy and loves squeaky toys but does not chew inappropriate things like puppies do! He has already learned that the dog toys are in the special dog basket in our house! What a smart boy! And or course, like most Goldens, Rocky wants to carry stuffed toys around the house or present them to visitors!

This sweet little boy gets along fabulously with my two dogs and thinks my resident Golden is his "big brother". This morning Rocky joined Robbie for a rest under the desk. He laid down right next to Robbie and gently rested his head on Robbie's leg. He looked at Robbie with love and admiration as if to say "I love you big brother!" It would be so much fun to know what dogs are thinking! He also likes my little lab and ran around the yard with her. They had a blast taking turns chasing each other. Boy can this little guy run fast! He didn't even try to jump over our 4'fence. When we told him we were done playing and it was time to go in, he ran right to us and followed us in the house. No arguments at all! Then he readily gave up toys we were gathering to bring indoors.

Like most Goldens, Rocky is a very smart dog and will be easy to train in obedience class! He already knows sit, come, "no" and I taught him "kennel" in about 2 minutes! He is also a very quiet boy and hasn't barked in the house at all! He settles into his crate very nicely at bedtime and we don't hear a peep out of him all night. He loves to go for a walk and has already gotten used to a gentle leader. He needs to learn to heel or you will surely have a torn rotator cuff within a week! Rocky is small but VERY STRONG. But he will be very easy to train and I think could easily become a therapy dog!

Rocky loves people and seeks attention but doesn't paw or jump on people and is very polite! (Maybe he can teach my dogs some manners!) He sat under my computer desk tonight while I typed this update and squeaked his toys. Rocky is content to be close to his human friends. As one friend once said "Velcro is good!" Rocky even gave me a sweet little kiss while we snuggled on the bed one night. He is incredibly cuddly, just like a puppy!

When it comes to guarding issues, Rocky has no problems at all! I put my hand right into his food bowl, took a toy and bone away from him, and he was perfectly OK with this! Rocky allowed me to clean his ears, groom him, clip nails and look in his mouth. He is so gentle and sweet and a real pleasure to have in our house!

I am also pleased to say that Rocky has no thunderstorm anxiety whatsoever. He walked out for his last potty of the day and we heard a few big booms overhead and he was completely calm! We will try out the vacuum cleaner tomorrow. If he passes that test, he will surely be the most perfect little Golden I have ever met!

We will send more updates as we get to know this sweet prince better!

Rocky moves right inThis is the life