ARIA

My name is Aria, and I'm a Rottweiler. My life is wonderful, but it wasn't always that way.

I was purchased as a puppy to be shown in conformation and when not being shown lived in an outdoor kennel until I was almost two years old. At that time my owner's wife became pregnant and she wanted the dogs gone. I was then given to Rottweiler Rescue and lived there until I was almost three years old. I didn't get a home right away because they felt I was possibly dog aggressive with too much "drive." They wanted to place me with someone who had a lot of experience with Rottweilers, so I kept waiting for my forever home.

At last, someone came looking for a Rottweiler that had the exact qualifications required, and she picked me! My new home was a huge change from my previous life. I now had to face "life on the outside," which was all new to me because I had never lived in the "real world," which was strange and scary to me. With the help and love from my new mom I conquered all those fears. I am now a well balanced dog (turns out I was never dog aggressive). I live in a home with three other dogs, and we all get along. In addition, I have other dog and human friends outside of my home. I used to be afraid of men (who knows why), but not anymore. I like other dogs, kids and adults. The first thing my mom did was to work with me to obtain an AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate. We then began training for our AKC obedience titles. We have achieved our AKC Novice Rally title and our AKC Companion Dog title. I'm also a "Read Assistance dog for children through PJ's Pals.

Best of all, I completed all the training necessary to become a Certified Service Dog for my mom. I love being a service dog and being with mom all the time, helping her when needed When we are together out in public we get a lot of compliments on how well behaved and pretty I am. Life is great when you're a rescue dog who gets a forever loving home and family. From The Daily Press newspaper in Riverside, CA. Anita's entry won the Adult category for her dog adoption story