My life changed overnight when I lost my sweet and loving companion, Cooper.
For all the years I was training him, beginning at eight weeks old, Cooper was the one setting my routine and training me to do the things he wanted.
Suddenly, there was no routine. No daily walks, no outings in the woods or visits to swimming holes, no need to rise early, no barks inviting me to come and play, no reminders from him to make dinner. I felt lost.
My Golden Retriever was enthusiastic about everything and had an engaging personality. He easily learned basic commands and tricks, and his funny antics made me laugh.
In addition to the sweeping change in my daily activities, it was not long before I also lost the enjoyment of joint outings with Cooper’s friend, Paddy. When Cooper was just a few months old, he met a buddy of the same age and breed.
From puppy play dates to beach vacations, these two boys and their owners developed close friendships. For nine years, the pups hiked and swam together, had birthday parties and sleepovers, performed tricks in unison, and took trips to the beach and to Dog Mountain in Vermont.
Paddy died at age nine of hemangiosarcoma, and I still miss him. Cooper missed him too and he would look for him when Paddy’s owner came to visit.
A few months shy of Cooper’s 11th birthday, I lost my bright, beautiful boy to the same disease. With short notice, he was gone.
I will always remember my handsome boy and the joy he brought to my life. And I will forever cherish the good times we had together and with our friends.
