WRANGLER came to me in July, 1999. I do not remember why I had picked him up or fostered him. Now that we have other volunteers, I don't do intake or foster as much as I use to. But for some reason WRANGLER came to me. I had no intention of keeping him-none at all. I already have LUCY (The Princess), KOMON (the old grouchy lady) and COPPER (the devil dog and obedience school drop out).

WRANGLER was just another foster-sweet, mellow and confused. Within a few days of him coming to temporarily stay with me, I would be going through some difficult personal times. This Golden, who many people think of as "only a dog", really understood my pain and was trying to make me feel better. And he did. I still had no intention of keeping him. After all, three Goldens for a single lady is quite enough to handle.

My friends at Rescue a Golden of Arizona visited me often during those trying weeks, and all commented on how WRANGLER watched my every move as if he were watching out for me. I started to notice then, really notice. And they were right. WRANGLER is my Guardian Angel. He understands every word I say to him and he is NEVER more than 3 feet from me.

Times were still rough, and a friend suggested I take up a hobby. Now, a hobby would have to involve dogs or it wouldn't really be fun. "How about Agility?", my friend suggested. Well, lets see.

LUCY is a Princess and has bad hips. KOMON has arthritis and can hardly move and COPPER, well let's just say that after three sessions of obedience lessons he still believes the word "Come" means run away as fast as you can and don't look back. What about WRANGLER?? Perfect. At our very first Agility lesson, it became apparent WRANGLER would do whatever I asked him to do. Jump through a tire-no problem. Walk on a scary teeter totter-if that's what you want Mom. He will never be fast, like a Border Collie, but I am so proud of my boy!!

After only three months of lessons he won a BLUE RIBBON and three RED RIBBONS for his performance at a NADAC trial. This was his first show and we have many more to go. He won't always win and he'll probably never be titled. But you know what, we have fun!!! Thank you WRANGLER for rescuing me.

Here is Wrangler going thru a "fun" tunnel at Scottsdale Dog Show in Agility.