Cooper7-10-09


	Age & Sex: 8 yr. old male


UTD: Yes


	Weight: 51 lbs.


Other Dogs: Yes


	Color: Fawn


Cats: Unknown


	Ears: Natural


Children: Under 5: ? Over 5: Yes


	Tail: Docked


Professional Training Required: No


	Neutered: Yes


Microchipped: Yes


	Shelter Surrender


Location: Honesdale, PA

Adoption Donation $150

11/2/09 - Cooper is pending adoption

10/27/09 - Well, it's official. Cooper is ready for adoption. He had his vet visit, his issues with the blood in his urine have been resolved, he was neutered last week and is ready for his forever home. Now that the time has come, let me go over a few needs Cooper has and if you think you can provide this home for him, send your application in.

Cooper initially had some separation anxiety. While that has improved overall, he still has issue with us leaving the house. He gets a little antsy, paces and gets nervous. So, we don't leave him free in the home when we are not there and this is for his own safety. Cooper has chewed things if he was home alone and he is crated for his own safety. In time, he may be able to be left out alone, but that time isn't now. Cooper needs to go out to pee frequently. He doesn't mess in his crate, but he does urinate fairly often and when he's home with you, you need to be conscious of his sign, which is restlessness. Cooper sleeps overnight in a dog bed in my room. He doesn't get on the furniture. He has curbed his counter surfing significantly. He eats two meals a day and gets healthy people food like whole grain bread crusts, fresh raw veggies, things like that. He has put on some much needed weight and is now 51.6lbs. The vet was extremely pleased because more importantly than gaining weight is that he's gained some much needed muscle mass. Cooper's hind leg has a pin/rod in it and he has limited use of this limb. It doesn't stop him from running, playing or jumping. He has a spark for a boy his age which is estimated to be about 8. Cooper is a complete love bug, is great with children from infant age on up. He doesn't jump or bark at houseguests. He's just such a good boy. We have watched him grow from this frail, sad little dog to a healthy, middle aged boy that's just happy for a full belly, a warm bed and a family that loves him unconditionally. He's waiting for his family to come to take him home. Could that be you?

10/14/09 - Cooper has been doing very well in the last month. He has been on another course of antibiotic and I think it's made all the difference. He has put on some much needed weight and his energy level has improved. Last night during his evening walk, he ran around me in circles like he was a horse being broken!! Funny! Cooper will be going to the vet to be checked and hopefully we will get a thumbs up to move forward with his neuter. He's really a super, super sweet dog and I've grown quite fond of him. I even let him in my bed last night which in general is a MAJOR rule breaker in my house. I just couldn't say no. He was so darn cute on his walk and was just very peppy last night. He enjoyed the chance to curl up where I couldn't move even if I wanted to! As soon as Larry came in, it was off the bed for Coopy, but I think he liked falling asleep with me. I'll keep you posted after his vet visit, as I have high hopes this will finally do the trick for him.

9/20/09 - Cooper is coming along quite nicely. He has put on five pounds, that's a start. He is a very pleasant boy to have around. He doesn't bark at people when they come in the house and he doesn't jump on anyone. He's a really sweet boy that steals the hearts of everyone he meets. Cooper makes everyone smile especially when he tries to get your attention with this little wooo wooo sound he makes. He gets very excited when you talk to him when he does that and he can hardly stand up he's wiggling so much. Cooper had his first bath tonight and had his nails clipped. He wasn't too sure about the shower at first but he warmed up to it quite nicely and I'm sure it felt good on his joints. He loves to ride in the car and be around his family. He isn't always terribly thrilled with being in the crate, but it really isn't an issue anymore. He does occasionally counter surf, but he's quick to repsond to a verbal ah, ah. He listens very well and loves, loves to ride in the car. He's been to the vet several times and it's about an hour roundtrip and he likes to sit between the kids with his head in their laps. Truly a really good boy that is in need of a forever home. Could you open your heart and home to this gentle older boy that just wants to sleep at your feet?
"Life may not be the party we hoped for. But, while we're here we might as well dance."

8/6/09 - Cooper has had a rough go of things, but I think we're finally on the right track. When he first came to rescue, poor Cooper was a stray and had quite a rough first five years. We're not going to make him better overnight. He wasn't eating well and was feeling pretty crummy after his bought with kennel cough. I am pleased to say that he has been to the vet, nothing too remarkable to report and he's on some antibiotic. He is feeling better already and certainly eating much better. I'm giving him a nice supplement of a natural balance food mixed in with some candidae and boy does he love that! Cooper has gotten better about being alone. Initially, he suffered terrible separation anxiety and while that is still present to some degree, he is more comfortable in his surroundings and being crated. A few barks and protests when he's first in there, but he settles down nicely. We have a nice big fan blowing by his crate, so he doesn't get overheated with all that panting. Who knows? Maybe it's helped, you know a little "white noise", but he seems to be getting more settled, for sure. Cooper likes to inspect things, like the laundry basket and waste cans. He's mainly interested in socks, washcloths and tissues. Everybody's got their thing I guess. So, we just make sure to keep certain stuff out of Cooper's reach. As soon as he is putting some weight on, I assure you, I'll get pictures. I want your first impression to be a good one and he wasn't quite ready for his close up. Any day now, though, any day. Keep checking back for pictures of my work in progress!

7/10/09 - About a week ago, the Boxer Fat Farm welcomed it's sixteenth foster dog, Cooper. Cooper was a stray found in Brooklyn and has made his way to the beautiful country in Northeast Pa. Cooper is a very skinny boy that needs lots of weight gain. How appropriate that he's at the Boxer Fat Farm? That just so happens to be our specialty, fattening up our boxers! Cooper, at some point and quite some time ago, had surgery to his left hind leg. The vet that first saw him did some xrays and there is a pin in that leg due to an old fracture. The muscle is wasted in that leg, so Cooper rarely uses the leg. He is weight bearing, but most often he has it elevated. It doesn't seem to cause him any pain nor does it get in his way of running, albeit not fast, but running nonetheless. Cooper also has a few blackened, callous areas where he has bony prominences. Obviously, he was made to sleep on a bare, hard surface where he would have developed these. Again, they cause him no discomfort, but they are part of his story. Cooper also has a calloused nipple, for the same reason. Unfortunately, Cooper's face shows he's had a rough road to travel in his five short years. He appears a bit older than his stated age. Overall, Cooper is a very funny, playful and pleasant dog to have around. He enjoys the children very much. They are 8 and 11. He doesn't attempt to get on the furniture, ever. He isn't a garbage picker or counter surfer. Cooper likes very much to go outside. He enjoys his walks immensely, but we keep them short and frequent. Cooper isn't the dog that's going to hike with you. But, would love to join you on a couple of quick jaunts a day. We both work full time so Cooper has spent some time in his crate. I'll tell you he's not always happy about that, but usually settles quickly. I don't think there's any reason, really to crate him when we're gone. He broke out of his crate once and stayed right in the laundry room, where they're kept and never made an attempt to push open the bi fold door and roam. He just didn't want to be in his crate that day. He has met the resident female, Darlah. Not to much interaction with them yet, but he has tried to mount her. He'll learn very quickly, she ain't that kinda girl! I guess that's all I have to tell you about Cooper right now. He's with us just a short time. I'll get some pictures updated today as it is gorgeous and sunny here! Outside photos always make the best shots! Check back soon for his pics and keep reading about this boy. He's a kind soul that just wants a family of his own.