,Cooperman, was a foster dog

by judithgostisha@yahoo.com
(Austin,Tx)

It's not his physical cuteness it's the eyes that speak to me, it was like that from the start. His eyes had terror, his spirit was closed down, He made himself smaller because he had lived in terror, confusion, abuse, shuffled one to another and the last another was me. I was feeling bad, depressed, hope-less and when I saw the same in his eyes, it was meant to be, him and me together. I rehabilitated wild animals, injured one way or another, people brought animals to me, and I'd nurse them to health then set them on natures course.

COOPERMAN him, let him settle down, be calm, feed and water and time, steps out to eliminate and it was sealed, he was mine FOREVER.

I noted he was intelligent, well behaved, followed cues but days passed and he continued to shiver, anxiety, he would turn and turn. I cued him to sit. It calmed him down and I wasn't so dizzy. I would hold him during the day for maybe 10 minutes, on my lap, rocking no other sounds other than the sounds we made. No TV, or busy house here. I witnessed a shy, injured soul slowly emerge from him. He seemed to grow, becoming expanded and filling his body with self confidence and trust.

I played crawling, with balls, a squeak toy, but he liked it most when I would drape a light scarf over his body and remove it in one smoothe slow action, then it evolved to a faster playful activity, then I pretend to catch his tail, talking and laughing and sounds of high voice to elaborate sounds, they love this.. I could almost hear him laugh and chase it and we sill play like this, but with more skill, knowing to play as a team. We play hide and seek, it took a year of daily training for him to come when I called him from a distance and was around or behind something, the thing is, he surprises me and scares me when he suddenly appears from another direction.

Cooperman restored me to health and the play and good feelings and a purpose we found together is what I will say is the most important and continues to be.Play breaks the stubborn spell if not taking enough time from the day. I groom, bathe, clip and trim and we go to the hospital to share in pet therapy in our town. My life is enriched, I am no longer alone. He serves me today as a Medical Alert dog, and is always with me. I believe the Cotons can fulfill the dreams of any dog lover, animal lover. They are good for your health too.

Then the information came about his bloodline, I was once a copywriter, I didn't invest much into a story, besides, the dogs I've known about who live in hot climates have evolved over millium, I thought This breed is probably from Italy, the Alps, but a cool/cold climate not humid and hot.