Cooper turned ten years old today. He was adopted when he was about six months old. He is a cross between a German Wirehaired Pointer and a Golden Retriever. He is looking out the window as the snow falls hoping to spot a squirrel or a rabbit. He ended up seeing more blue jays, cardinals, and finches than what he truly wanted to see.
My sister and I went to our favorite parade again this year. Held in Osceola (Wisconsin), the parade this year was over 1 1/2 hours. There were so many handouts in addition to candy: hotdogs, popsicles, pop, rulers, and more. Even the dogs got dressed up and walked in the parade.
All four of our dogs have been adopted from Northwoods Humane Society in Wyoming (Minnesota), and each comes with his or her own story. Briefly (and in the order of the photographs):
- Aspen - rescued at only six weeks from a high-kill shelter in the south and brought to Northwoods. We adopted her at eight weeks - very early in a puppy's life. She is a Siberian Husky-American Staffordshire Terrier mix.
- Cooper - adopted at six months old. As a German Wirehaired Pointer-Golden Retriever mix, he has a tremendous amount of energy. He thrived when doing obedience and agility training, and still enjoys showing what he remembers.
- Scooby - adopted at ten years old with his brother, Danny. Both lived with a woman and her abusive boyfriend. The woman fled the situation, leaving Scooby and Danny behind. The boyfriend threatened to kill the dogs. The police got involved, rescued the dogs, and brought them to Northwoods. Scooby is a Terrier-Pug mix.
- Danny - adopted at six years old with his brother, Scooby. Both he and Scooby were overweight and had not been receiving proper medical or dental care. Since being adopted, both are at a healthy weight and have had the dental and medical care they needed which have included surgeries. Danny is a Terrier-Chihuahua mix.
Cooper loves playing outside in the winter. He was waiting for me near the gate, his muzzle dusted with snow.
One of the Washington County Sheriff's canines got to play after doing a demonstration. His grip was quite powerful on that toy.
Cooper sat in the backyard looking through the fence, longing to be in the garden with us.
