Cooper Challenges His Fans

Hello everyone! I have so much to tell you! I went to the vet today and they all could not get over how wonderful my fur looks. They said I was a handsome fella! Someone asked if I was a Dingo in the waiting room though? Hum? Dingo?

Mama Tina and ME!

The vet weighed me and I weighed 27.4 pounds!!! Mama says I am a growing boy so she makes sure I get breakfast, lunch and dinner! I LOVE breakfast, lunch and dinner! I get my yummy kibble and "yogrit" on top! That is some good stuff! I still have to take antibiotics and this TERRIBLE tasting stuff called Ivomec for my mange. But, my fur is really looking good!

My pretty fur and new collar!

I just love it here. Every morning my foster Papa gets up first. He takes me out to potty and then he carries me to the bedroom and he lets me wake up foster Mama! I get SO EXCITED because I KNOW what is coming. I pounce on her and kiss her and chew on her face and snuggle. I am a really good snuggler!

Mama Tina Loves ME!

Ok, now for the good stuff! I told you last week I was going to introduce you to one of my rescue friends who needs a home. Mama told me I get a special prize if I can help get 10 dogs adopted by August! Are you going to help me??

Shelby is a very sweet southern belle who is looking for a forever home to call her own. She found herself in a shelter because her family took her there! Then one day a stranger came and got her. She jumped right in that car and was ready to start her new life. Some people call her a senior, but she says that 7 years old is the perfect age for a Sheppie! She is already out of that puppy stage (HEY, what is wrong with being a puppy?)

Shelby does need a special home. Shelby has waited for a home so long, she wants to be the only dog! She promises to give you the love of 10 Sheppies if you will make her your one and only! She loves to walk, but she is low maintenance. She also likes to sit with you while you do yard work! She just wants to be with her person no matter what!

House trained, well behaved in the house, low maintenance and wants to just be with you. What else could be better! Check out Shelby's Website and then APPLY!!!! You want me to get my prize don't you?? Right now I am 0/10. Let's add a 1 and adopt my friend Shelby!

Cooper Announces a New Project

Good Morning All! Cooper here! Mama said that I could write my own blogs from now on because I am super smart and feeling GOOD!!! I have SOOO very much to say, but Mama said that I need to pace myself. She says I will wear you guys OUT like I do her!

Foster sister, Dezzie teaching Cooper about the fine
art of Stick Procurement

This week has been BIG! I am now "Running with the Big Dogs" as I have been integrated into the pack. I have a big sister, a big-big brother, a cat and of course my Mama Tina. They are teaching me lots of stuff, some of it Mama says isn't good! In this video I am playing Keep Away with my Foster sister Dezzie. Some people say she is a Mean Girl, but she likes me!

We also discovered this week that I may not be a Sheppie!!! I am starting to have the markings, the poise and the personality of a Belgian Malinois. Mama says I am her little butterfly breaking out of my cocoon; we will see what I am soon!

Look at all my pretty fur coming in!

Letter I received from Stephanie

I received a very special gift from a dear friend of my sister Dezzie. Her name is Stephanie and Mama calls her the Dog Whisperer. She sent me the sweetest letter. She is very sad that someone let me get into such bad shape, but no worries Stephanie I am good now! I am gaining weight, my fur is coming in and I am allowed to be a silly puppy! Actually I weigh 26 POUNDS!!! The only bad thing that happens to me every couple of days are those AWFUL baths!!!! I HATE them, but Mama says the baths will make me better.

Toys from Aunt Alex

I also received a bunch of goodies from the rescue (ok, not goodies...BATH STUFF), but it does help with my itching so I am happy about that. I also received some toys! WOOT WOOT I LOVE toys. I play with toys ALL OF THE TIME. When I am not chewing on my Mama's foot, face or shoes, I am playing with toys!

I am super excited to announce that I was given an official job with GSRA. My official title is Troubadour of Special Dogs! I am so grateful for the love that everyone is showing me, and I want to pay it forward and introduce my fans to some of the special dogs in our rescue who are available NOW for adoption! Each of these dogs have a special story and need a home. The more dogs we can place in perfect furever homes, the more dogs like them and me we can bring in! So, you can be THE most important part of rescue...the loving furever home! That is the goal all of us foster dogs have. Starting with my next blog, I am going to introduce a rescue friend. My foster mom says my goal is to get 10 dogs adopted by August! So with your help, I can reach my goal and maybe I will find my Furever Home as my prize. So, the count down will begin 0/10. Stay tuned for my next blog and help me reach my goal!

Some of my other videos below!

First Week with Cooper

Has it really been a week? It seems like this little guy has been part of our lives forever! Before I start today's update, I MUST thank my partner and best friend, Tina for helping me raise and teach this little fella. Without her calm leadership, Cooper would not be as well balanced as he is! She is teaching him things it would take me weeks to teach him! As you are all thinking about Cooper, please keep Tina in your thoughts. She has not been feeling well. Don't worry, I don't let Cooper worry her too much. When she needs to rest, I take over the Cooper watch!

Tina the best GSD Mom and Friend EVER! 

How should I describe Cooper as we are ending Week 1?  The best word I can come up with is BUSY! Cooper is BUSY! When he is in his Condo, he rests and sleeps, but when he comes out, he is BUSY!!!! Here, there, EVERYWHERE! Cooper wants to explore the world and see all that it offers!

When he came last week, he was too sick to play with toys. He watched Dezzie play with her toys and now he "attacks" the stuff animals and shakes them while running around. It is very cute to watch. Cooper is still learning what is considered a Cooper toy! Shoes, people's feet, furniture all seem to be appealing to Cooper. Those puppy teeth are SHARP!

Cooper KNOWS his name! This may not sound so amazing, but Cooper KNOWS the name Cooper. When he hears Cooper he perks up and comes running. It doesn't matter who says his name. He LOVES his name. My guess is that only good things have happened since he was named Cooper, so his name makes him happy. Did I mention that Cooper is the smartest puppy ever?

Cooper in the car heading to the vet. We always catch him mid yawn!

Cooper went to his new vet this morning because I felt he was healthy enough to get his shots and the fact that he has not been vaccinated has kept me up at night! I FEAR Parvo! When he went to the vet last Tuesday, the vet said he was too sick for his shots. Today the vet said Cooper is doing very well and said he was healthy enough for shots! YAY! Cooper weights a whopping 22lbs. He has gained about 4lbs this week! 

Cooper napping on the exam table as he waits for his shots. Is this dog for REAL?

Cooper with his new Vet and Vet Tech. He is checking to make sure they are not giving him another shot!
Never trust a Vet standing behind you! 

The scabs on Cooper's face have all fallen off and his nose seems to be healing. He still has some open sores on his head and face and each night we put coconut oil on his head. He LOVES getting his coconut oil massage and seems to look forward to it. We have switched him to a high quality grain free diet so we should continue to see improvement! 

Cooper on one of his many walks with his Mama Tina

It is time for Cooper's bath. Stay tuned for more updates! 

Saturday with Cooper

Baby Cooper has had a big few days. He has been eating well and he loves his dollop of "Yogrit" (That is Yogurt in human words) on his food. He is fed 3 times a day because he is a growing boy!

Cooper enjoys his condo where he can sleep snuggly and safely and still be with the family. His favorite blanket is the one the shelter staff sent home with him. I have washed this blanket 3 times already!!! LOL  Cooper's skin is very fragile and bleeds a lot. It is very important that Cooper's bedding stays fresh and clean to help his skin heal. Mange is a very treatable disease, it just takes time and care to get under control.

Sleeping after a long walk

Cooper is feeling much better. When we go for walks, his little tail wags so hard he falls down. It is hard not to laugh; he is just so cute! Below is a video of him following his Sheppie Mama on a walk. He finally learned to stay upright while wagging his tail!

Today was bath day! Cooper wasn't excited about it, but he took it like a trooper. It was very sad to see all the scabs and bleeding, but we are on the way to recovery!

Cooper getting his bath

Cooper yawning after his bath

Austin & Cooper

Cooper, Baby Coop, Coopster, the names go on. Many people have asked me where I came up with the cute name Cooper. Well, I didn't. On May 6th, Humane Enforcement Officer with The Humane Society of Escambia County, Austin Cooper got the call about our little Cooper. It was Austin's birthday, so what better way to honor that than name this little fighter after the kind and caring man who rescued him. Check out The Humane Society of Escambia County on Facebook. Like them and follow them. If you have friends and family in Southern Alabama/Northern Florida have them check out this great group of people and animals!

It is time to get off the computer and go play with Cooper! Stay tuned for adventures. His little personality is coming out and I just know the antics will begin soon!!

Saving Cooper the Little Sheppie

Thursday, May 8, 2014

One of GSRAs Amazing Facebook Admins posted a little boy named Cooper on my Facebook Page. He was in a shelter about 2 1/2 hours from me and had terrible mange. As many of you know, I have my hands full with 3 Shepherds of my own. Two of which, like to cause trouble with each other! So, keeping a peaceful and harmonious house is a full time job. But, something told me that this little pup was meant to come to our house.

I contacted the shelter within an hour of receiving the post and 3 hours later I was in the car driving to the shelter. 

 

Getting in the car for our 2 1/2 hour return trip home. 

Cooper slept the entire way home!

I didn't know what to expect when I got to this rural shelter. Some of these shelters are good, but many are struggling and conditions are less than stellar. When I got to the shelter, I was met with the most amazing and caring staff. They run a small shelter, but they give everything they have to these animals. They are packed full, but work hard to care for these forgotten animals. I was impressed and I know I will keep in contact with them. The care they gave Cooper says it all! 

  

Cooper was such a trooper on the way home. He curled up and went to sleep. No crying, not pacing and NO car sickness! 

Getting settled in his safe place

Cooper slept through the night and seems to be crate trained already. He is such a good puppy.

Cooper with Mama Tina

Cooper seems to be settling in. He has a long road ahead of him. All his joints are swollen and he has trouble walking, but all he wants to do is follow his dogs and humans around. 

Are you my new Papa?

Wait for me Papa!

Thank you to the wonderful ACO and Shelter that saved this puppy and cared for him so well before we got him! He will be fine now!