If He Walked Into My Life

Cooper @ 8 weeks

It’s hard to believe but two years have passed since this handsome little man entered our lives. 

February 5^th, 2010 Cooper (who was then known by a different name) was eight weeks old and living with a different family. He unexpectedly escaped from his house and was struck by a car when he ran into the road. He was brought to Royal City Animal Hospital to be assessed; and it was determined that although there were no internal injuries, he did have a broken Radius/Ulna (two bones in the front left leg).  The break was clean, and due to his young age it was determined he would do just fine to have the leg splinted for several weeks until the bones healed.

Unfortunately, his previous owner could not afford the cost of treating him, so he was surrendered to the Guelph Humane Society. They in turn asked if the staff of Royal City Animal Hospital would mind caring for him until the leg was healed and then they would put him up for adoption. I placed a crate under my desk, where he would be safe all day but would still be within eye sight if something should happen. He seemed to enjoy his place at my feet, and would constantly be staring up at me with those beautiful, but odd looking eyes.  My fate was sealed; and after a few weeks of caring for him, I knew I was hooked.  I could not let anyone else take our little man.

We took him home for a trial weekend to see how we all would get along, and when the weekend was over, the adoption papers were signed. From that day forward, Cooper would have a new home and be a regular fixture at Royal City Animal Hospital.  He loves to play with everyone a the clinic – canine and human alike (and the occasional cat) and I know he misses his play dates with his best girl Teya.

Many of you know Cooper well and know his story, others might be hearing about him for the first time. Every week I have one of our clients ask me “how is your little dog?”  Many will remember him as the 20 pound ball of energy that would run around the clinic with his little splint on, as if it was perfectly normal to have it there. Well, two years later that little ball of energy is a 60 pound ball of energy that is full of love, kisses, and exuberance. He isn’t always the best behaved dog –he forgets his manners some times, but he is always happy to make a new friend, meet new people, and show off something from his (albeit small) bag of tricks. 

Cooper and Teya after a fun play date