It will be a party like no other that the Brosio family will throw on Saturday, July 30, at their home in Manteca.

There will be music for sure, mostly of the “bow-wow-wow” kind.

There will be treats as well – “food and beverages to all regardless of how many feet or paws you have,” reads the invitation sent by Mike and Denise Brosio to special friends.

The reason behind the celebration is Rocko, the Brosios’ amiable black Labrador whose body was riddled with tumors in December 2010. The family steadfastly refused to give up hope on their five-year-old dog which had been part of the family since it was but eight weeks old when the puppy was given to them as a gift by daughter Dana, a real estate agent.

But like many Americans in these double-digit unemployment trying times, the Brosios could not afford the estimated costs for their beloved dog’s surgery. That did not deter them though from trying to save Rocko’s life. Instead, they decided to try some creative fund-raising.

So even though it was winter and the weather was unpredictable, they bought an ad in the paper and advertised a garage-sale fund-raiser for their pet. The first day, the result was as dismal as the foul weather. Still, they plodded on by securing another day for the garage sale. Their story that appeared in the Bulletin drummed up even more attention from people who donated items for the garage sale.

And when the television stations in Sacramento heard about Rocko and what the Brosios were trying to do to save his life, the TV stations aired live from the garage sale in Manteca.

Surprisingly enough – the Brosios like to think it was divine intervention – the garage sales raised just about enough money to pay for Rocko’s surgeries. After about half a year or recuperation and rehabilitation, Rocko is back to his bounding happy ways and jumping straight into people’s hearts.

To celebrate the miracle in their best friend’s life, and to share their thanksgiving and celebration with all the people who either helped in making Rocko’s story have a happy ending – including people who have faithfully followed the story of the canine’s ordeal – Denise and Mike Brosio, their daughter Cassy and Sandy, their other (golden) Lab, are holding a get-together at their place on Saturday, July 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The party is “to celebrate Rocko’s recovery to full health,” reads the invitation. Guests are also invited to “bring your pets along if you feel they will be comfortable running around in our back yard with Rocko and Sandy.”