July 10th 2007 12:08 am
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Monday, June 9, 2007
Cooper was the handsomest, brightest, most affectionate, brightest/smartest, most fun loving, courageous, strong, positive thinking, generous, playful, kind, gentle and exceptional flashy fawn male Boxer we've ever known (had). He fought a long and hard fight to stay with us longer--his will to live, amazing co operation, trust, love and ability to keep on keeping surely has made him a "hero" to all who were blessed to know him and those who were introduced to him while " Dog of the Day" at Dogster on June 19, 2007. Cooper was not a "quitter"...he kept on doing whatever was asked of him and more...never will there be another "Cooper" with the heart of a Champion like our beloved and loving buddy.
Cooper's problems began without warning or reason on Thurs. May31st, 2007. He simply lost his appetite and refused the food he normally devoured without any help from his family or Vet (Dr. Nicole Perry). Dr. Perry was as surprised as we were to see Cooper, " Cooper, what are you doing here? You're the healthy boy?" She thought he had an intestinal virus, gave him two antibiotics and instructions for his dinner of boiled white rice with boneless, skinless, fat-free chicken breast, and a Peptic AC 20mg to help him digest his dinner. Cooper devoured his dinner and would have eaten more if he could--it was so good and enjoyed. On Friday,June 1st, he seemed to want to cough or spit up but did neither. Sometime during the early morning of Sat. June 2nd, Coop woke me vomiting. Not much but enough to go to the Vets when they opened at 8am. Unfortuately, Dr. Perry was not on call for the Vet Coop never had seen and who did not know him as well admitted. This was the most difficult time for me--leaving my little buddy who had "NEVER" spent more than two hours away from me or his family from the time he arrived and captured our hearts.
On Monday, June 4th we were asked by Dr Thompson to give permission for an exploratory surgery. Cooper could have injested a piece of cloth, plastic, small toy!!!! Later that day he gave us the "bad news" nothing injested----it was pancreastitis!!!! Our only regret was to not aske for a second opinion as we'd do or be encouraged to do before surgery by a medical doctor---that permission will haunt us forever! We didn't know there was such a thing as a Veterinary Surgeon who specialized in Surgery--we hadn't been there before to completely trust permission would have helped our Cooper) From the surgery on Monday to the referral to Dr. Paul Bookbinder on Thurs June 5, 2oo7, Cooper vomited constantly. He was on IV and did seem better when we finally got to spend an hour with him. All that vomiting damaged his esophagas....we will never, ever stop hurting for what our permission put our beloved Cooper though until he met-treated by Dr. Bookbinder.
Cooper did receive a miracle when he met Dr. B....not only did he receive the attention, affection and expertise by the man who would be like a foster-father to Coop for the eight days he was a member in good standing of the Upstate Veterinary Surgical Center, but in his new home- away- from- home! His around the clock 24/7 care by Dr B and his staff was such a consolation to his family...we could (and did) call sometimes several times a day to check on our buddy. Never did we hear anything but love from Dr B and that staff of angels. If it were not for Dr Bookbinder who would not give up and did all he could to heal Coop's esophogas so he could eat and be nourished again, but he became "extended family to Cooper and his family." Dr Bookbinder was a positive and driving force in Cooper coming home on June 15th....he wanted Coop to be home where he'd relax, enjoy and continue to heal. Coop was not only better, Coop bounced back to be the "great sniffer", fun loving, when you can't see him you better go find what he's found or into pup he had always been. Seeing him devour the special foods Dr. B prescribed with gusto, and being able to give him the "ICE cubes he loved" again were two of the good things we'll always be grateful Coop got to enjoy again.
Cooper's follow-up's with Dr B were like old home week....he would get all excited, cock his head from side to side when he heard Dr.B's voice and in this "determined mode to go find his Buddy/Doctor." Cooper the greatest kisser this side of the Mississippi was in heaven when Dr B would greet him with a kiss on his head---talk about the medicine of L-O-V-E !!!! Cooper had a fantastic Attitude, he was Happy, he was not in pain or suffering, he had zeal and a tremendous Will To LIVE......everything necessary to beat whatever it was that invaded his body and was sapping his weight, strength and ability to beat it for the count.
Cooper's last followup with Dr B was the morning he was supposed to be on the road for his family vacation----no one can tell us there are many if any other VET who will come into the office to see a patient before leaving for his well deserved family vacation the way Dr Paul Bookbinder did. Cooper was having a more steady diarreha that Dr. Bookbinder wanted to check---once again Coop ruled the reception area to work his way behind the partition to check out the cupboard and inch his way to the voice of his "Buddy/Doctor". His nubby was on full speed when Dr B came through the door of the examining room....again no signs of distress. Lab work showed everything normal ( his protein level down a tad for caps to bring it back up). We'd continue with his meds and see Dr B on Tursday when he returned. As if he knew or suspected, Coop didn't nose dive until Sunday mid day when he could not keep down the protein or water. He had been scheduled for his colonoscopy at 11:30 on Monday July 9th......Cooper passed to the Rainbow Bridge at ll05 with Jean and myself holding, kissing, touching and helping him go into the light.
Dr Bookbinder was notified by his staff of Coop's passing (we called them with the sad news and for cremation info.) Our hearts were uplifted by this "Angel among us, Dr Paul Bookbinder" who knew exactly how we felt and was there to grieve with us (Cooper was very special to him and the staff too). Without a doubt Cooper took some of our best parts with him!!! Will we ever be the same or as good without him? We don't know or think so. There is an emptiness in our hearts, home and lives that feels like a 200 pound weight draining everything from our hearts and minds---Cooper is at peace and now able to run and play and wait to welcome us when we meet again----we are not as blessed to be here without him.
Cooper was a "once- in -a -lifetime -if -you're - lucky- flashy fawn boxer boy" who was here too short a time but totally and completely gave everything he had in him for you to know he loved you as passionately as you loved him. I can not fathom a good life without him by my side as he's been from that day in November when he arrived to wiggle his way into our hearts and minds. We will be able to laugh at some of the "mis-adventures" of our boy who took great pleasure in investigating, testing, tasting most of the things he saw and felt compelled to put to the test of his incisors, boxer strength and curosity. We have long since thought about the wooden blinds that took months and some budgeting to finally put on the window seat windows----they were beyond repair when Coop needed them moved so he could have his clear vision of the street and anyone daring to walk near or across from his house:), the back of the sofa with the tacked back and hope no one notices the kick pleat missing some thing and now crooked; the decorating books that were gifts and now have the bindings ragged from puppy teething; all those one a pair and mostly brand new shoes he discovered on one of his expeditions to de-heel or open toe; those singed whiskers he lost because he refused to leave the candles alone or remember they made him look somewhat lopsided for one jowl normal and the other bare; Coop had a knack for getting into things when he thought his sitter was busy doing something in another room---he was a magpie, he was destructive, he was trying and mostly superboy strength not to let "naughty boy or Shame" bother him too much. He'd make everything new and good with those boxer kisses you could not resist or stop when he waanted to apologize. Cooper was an original and a never-before----probably never-again heart stealer who just was the joy and spark of something so wonderful nothing really mattered or was more important than having him with us.
From the depths of our souls we sincerely wish you never have to survive an experience with your pet like the six weeks Cooper fought the fight to stay with us and heal and back to his old self that won out. We hope you will know there are Veterinary Surgeons like our Dr Bookbinder who specialize worth every extra penny just as our specialist's are when we need more than a GP to ask for that second opinion when things aren't going as anticipated. For those who sent good thoughts, good energy, prayers and helped celebrate Cooper's Dog for the Day on June 19th...thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the support, caring and love you sent to Cooper. (yes, he did listen to every paw mail and was really interested in all those bones he was getting with the zealies and compliments---he loved all that attention casue he was after all a "super star extraordinaire".
Elaine, Jean, Mark, Marisa and Sasha (Cooper's loving family)
June 23rd 2007 7:18 pm
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Hello to all my Pup Pals and Dogsters who were so nice to send me so many wonderful presents when I became "Dog of the Day." Your kindness, caring, generosity and thoughtfulness really made my day even better (is that really possible when you get to see yourself on the home page and feel like a 'star?')
Getting and staying under the weather took us all by surprise cause I'm the Healthiest Boxer in our house! My Vet (she's so pretty and soft) was very surprised to see me there with a tummy ache. Everyone said I was a real Trooper (funny, I thought that meant fancy hats, tall boots and wearing a badge-gun?) cause I fought whatever the germs were that got into me. I just wanted to be home with my family and Sash who is like a big sister (when she isn't thinking she's my Mom).
Today I got a real good surprise from my Buddy at the Surgical Center, Dr Bookbinder, NO more Peptic AC 20mg or Steroids! We don't know for sure if that will stop the little shaking that was going on in my jowls (didn't bother me but it sure scared my family) or help me gain some of the weight I lost back? Worth the try and we're all in favor of that improvement.
Sash and I have been sleeping together a lot more the last few days, she was a little scared she might roll over on me or to step on me when I first got home. I think we're better now that she know's I won't break. Hope you are all having a good weekend and the nice weather we had today too. We're going to have some really HOT weather this week that is not what anyone wanted.
More soon and thank you again for all the nice things you sent and said---they meant a lot to me and my family. I'll do the same when you're the "Dog of the Day" too.
See ya,
Cooper
June 21st 2007 10:05 am
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Ruff, ruff--I have now lost 20 pounds since 5/31/07....was 85 pounds before all this started to be 65 pounds today. Dr. Bookbinder has increased my special dog food to 3/4's of a can 3 x's a day, we hope that will help me gain some back. The ideal weight for a Boxer like me is 70 pounds, that would give me a much better chance of living a long and full life than if I weighed more or was still 15 pounds overweight.
My stitches are now gone, yeah. It didn't hurt one bit, did I tell you that MY Dr Bookbinder never hurts when he does anything you need done? Nope, he is always really gentle and never-never hurt me. Did I mention he is " MY HERO?" Yep, he sure is because if I didn't come to his hospital and have him taking care of me, I'd be at the Rainbow Bridge!!! And, that is a fact. I'm going to be getting my harness in the next couple days too--that will maybe help me to take little walks every day it's not raining or really, really hot too. I miss those long walks I used to take and can't wait to do them again.
I only have to finish my antibiotics tonight and then I'll only have my steroid pill once a day. Everyone said I'm a real good patient and a fantastic 'fighter' to hardly ever complain (only when I want more food or more water do I bark and nag). Hmmmm, wonder if I'm going to still get those little meatballs so often now that I'll only be taking one pill and 2 Peptic ACs a day? Not sure I want to cut my meatballs down to three! Guess I'll have to bark for them too.
I'm feeling better every day and still doing my long naps like I'm supposed to do several times a day, my family tells me it' s important to do all the things that Dr. Bookbinder said we have to do to help me get all healed. I think that means I have to do my part so my team will know Won and are Victorious?
We are hoping those of you who were thinking good thoughts and good energy for me will please keep doing that another few weeks, and those who are praying for me won't stop just yet. We don't know what will happen when I have taken the last steroid? That's the 'Scary' part we hope will not happen cause I'm normal and back to where I was "healthy" before this all began. I'm going to see Dr Bookbinder again in 2 weeks (yippee) do you think if I bark we will make that a standing appointment? Sure do hope so cause I really and truly do Love him Lots and Lots, know you would too if you ever were in his hospital where the animals are all treated like royalty. My family said some people don't get as good a treatment in a hospital for people as the animals do at the Upstate Veterinary Surgical Center with my Doctor and all the nurses and techs who make sure everyone is feeling better and better til they go home.
More soon and boxer hugs to everyone. Cooper
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