Hey, come 'ere!

So, I'm still here in foster care, learning the ropes. I can sit reliably. My foster moms say I have a good recall. When I hear my name and the word come, I come running as fast as I can. They make happy little "pup-pup-pup" noises and that makes me run even faster. I don't even need a treat, I just like a nice pat and to be told I'm a good dog. I can't get enough petting. I wag and wag my tail.


I'm all tired and happy tonight. Today we ran around a lot at the park. Man, my foster sibs are really fast. Not me. I just kind of lumber around, but I still have fun. I like to play and horse around. Foster moms bend their knees and make little noises and I dance around them and smile and wag my tail. It's fun. I got really, really dirty in the mud and melting snow, so I had a bath. My foster moms got out the last of my mats and now my fur is really white. I even got conditioner and a blow dry. It was kinda wierd and disconcerting, but I liked the attention. Now I'm really soft and I have to admit, I smell terrific. So, could you pet my belly a little?



And how about my chin? Right here? Thanks!

Here's me with my foster sib Duncan. He's from Illinois Birddog Rescue, too. He told me that I'll get to go to a nice new home with people to love me. I'm dreaming about them right now.

What's in the hole?

My foster sib, Abby, right there on the left, is doing something interesting. She says there's a mousie down there somewhere. Looks interesting.


Boy, what is Duncan doing? He's so crazy. How's he gonna get a mouse?

Guess I'd better check it all out, since these two are so intrigued.

Nope, just a lot of cold snow. What a bust!

Here's me showing off my point. Check it out!

I like to run around with a gentle lope.

It's really fun to play outside, but I like it best when the people come out with me and join in!

Playing in the Snow

My foster brother Duncan (IBR adoption) finally let me sneak a Cooper-sized spot on the couch. Unfortunately, right after the picture, foster moms made me get down. Something about getting too big for my britches. Oh, well. It's soft, but I also like to sleep on the floor next to their feet. They say I'm a good foot warmer for those cold nights.



I learned how to make snow angels from my foster brother Duncan. We roll around on our backs in some fresh snow. When we're done, we get up and run around like crazy goofballs. It's a blast.

I really want to play with the two other dogs here, but we haven't quite figured it all out yet. I'm very good at taking turns for treats. We all sit in a circle politely and wait our turn, but they don't seem to know I want to play in the yard. I run around beside them and try to join in. Foster moms run around in the yard with me and them and try and encourage them. I flap my ears and jump up and down to get their attention. Maybe they'll join in soon. Hey, they've got a cool dog door and I learned how to go in and out right away from watching the other dogs.

I love to play. See my smile? Come and join me!

I like to chase balls, too. My foster sib Abby, an English Cocker Spaniel, is pretty fast and sometimes she beats me to the ball. Well, maybe I let her win. I bring the ball right back to you to do it again. It's fun!

When you call my name and say "come!" I run as fast as I can. Foster moms crouch down and open their arms and give me a big hug. This training stuff is great!

This is me learning to not jump on people. I really, really want to be pet, so it's hard, but I'm learning. Sometimes I can't help hopping in the air, though. And of course my tail can't stop wagging. Foster moms say that I'm smart, eager to please and a "quick learner," whatever that is. Did I mention that I have the softest fur in the world?

I have a secret

I don't like to brag, but I have the softest fur in the world. If you pet me juusst right, right here by my ear...

I slowly sink down to the floor in bliss. Right here on my chin is the softest.

Then, when I'm on the floor, look: Here's my right side...

and my left. Two dogs for the price of one!

Arriving at Foster Care

Well, I'm here in my foster home. They seem pretty nice. One foster mom took me to get my new crate. Lots of people petted me. I was happy to greet them and very polite meeting other dogs. I'm not sure I like the crate. I scraped my nose on the bars. The scab kind of hurts, but foster moms are putting treats in the crate all the time, so it's not so bad to go in there. I'm house trained and I love it when my foster moms watch me go potty in the yard. They tell me, "Good dog! Good potty!!" in nice, sweet voices and then I get a treat. It makes me wag my tail so hard. I'm kind of skinny and foster moms say they'll fatten me up. Yum!

I'm a little nervous, but happy to be here, because it was almost my last day at the shelter. I rode all the way to my new foster home curled up in the passenger seat with my head in my foster mom's lap. She stopped at Dunkin Donuts and I waited patiently in the car with such a goofy grin on my face that all the other customers were pointing and smiling at me.

In transit heading into foster care

Cooper spent a night at Camp Seeling before heading to his new foster home. Temp foster mom gave him a bath---he might give her "the look", but we know he secretly appreciated the tubby, no doubt!Later on he took a snooze next to IBR foster girl Summer.

Rescued by kind volunteers

Handsome Cooper was found as a stray at the side of a road and ended up at an Illinois shelter.
Compassionate volunteers called upon IBR to help with time was running out for this boy---and he was such a happy boy when a loving foster family was found to take him in.