The Adventures of Cooper

In Memory of COOPER

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)

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Barked by: Cooper (Dogster Member)

July 2nd 2009 at 12:16 am