For Cooper

It has been a little over six months since my beloved Cooper went missing.

He and our other dog, Roo the Spastic, went for a romp when a faulty back door blew open from a gust of wind on a miserably cold April night.  I spent the majority of the night walking the neighborhood in my pajamas and a coat while a fine sleet came down.  The new tags with our updated address were laying on the table awaiting to be hung on both their collars (we had moved from Virginia in March).

On one of my stops back at the house to warm up and put on shoes more suitable for the weather, Roo came loping back in around 1am.  Without Ol' Coop.  I was relieved that Roo made it home but devastated that he was without his faithful sidekick.  These two dogs had been inseperable. 

I spent days printing flyers and hanging them up.  I called the local shelters, animal control, and even called vets offices to see if someone had brought Cooper in.  For months I kept up the routine.  Then it became too painful to keep looking and turning up nothing.

I continue to miss Ol' Coop and on many levels I feel like I've let him down.  Why didn't I put the tags on?  What didn't I do that I could have done?  Where didn't I look? He chose me to give him a forever home and yet...

Yes, Ol' Coop chose me.  From the moment he saw me, walked casually to my feet and sat looking up at me.  When I picked that fluff of a pup up he curled up in my arms and fell easily asleep like he was home.  It was heart breaking-ly cute.  He went home with me that day.

He was my constant companion...  unequivocably my soulmate in canine form.  It was a natural fit.

Six months later I continue to look whenever we ride somewhere; I find myself peering into back yards and hoping beyond all hopes that what seems impossible will finally happen:  I will find Cooper.

I can't bring myself to collapse his crate even though it breaks my heart to walk by it every day.  His lead still hangs next to Roo's and I continue to keep his favorite treats on hand. 

Why did I feel compelled to write this blog?  Because I can't let go of the hope.  I hope that he's out there... healthy and loved.  That he isn't just chained to a doghouse outside and forgotten.  He isn't a purebred but he's a mutt I adore.

But I guess more than that I hope someone may see this post and recognize Ol' Coop.  My hope would be that he finds his way home.  That whomever has my dog would see fit to make sure he comes back to me.  I still have hope.

My name is Casandra.  You can contact me by emailing thecoppercauldron@gmail.com

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