Cautiously Optimistic...

Ehh, throw caution to the wind! I'm just plain optimistic! Right now, this bad boy sweet boy, who just needs to learn a few inside-the-house rules suggestions, is as good as mine!

Meet Cooper!

I found out yesterday from the municipal clerk in the town where he was last registered (in 2007) that he escaped has escaped before, and the jerk-wad previous owner had no interest in having him back. The clerk didn't even contact him this time to let him know that his dog has been found, because the last time he told her he didn't want "it" back - it wasn't his dog anymore. I'm sorry, but there aren't enough naughty words in the world to describe this kind of person. There is a special place in hell for him, and Michael Vick, and too many others!

My sister was told that if you find a dog, notify the authorities, keep him for seven days and take him to the vet, that dog is yours. I don't know if it's law (probably not) or just common knowledge (or wishful thinking), but that's what I'm going by. Let's see, we talked to several SPCAs, an animal shelter, two municipal clerks, a police station, Tattoo-a-Pet (great people at tattoo-a-pet: they love animals, and the pet's interest is always their first priority) the breeder and the tattooer. That a whole lot of "authorities." He has already been to the vet, and seven days will be on Thursday. Hey - that's Dogs on Thursday day! Coincidence? I think not. It was meant to be!

At Cooper's Vee-Eee-Tee visit yesterday, Dr. Bill said it is likely he was hit by a car at some point - his right rear leg is crooked, causing him to walk with a limp, and his lower right canine tooth is broken off, almost to the gum-line. Neither seem to cause him any pain, thankfully. He drew blood for Heartworm, Lyme, and some other tests I don't remember now, and gave him his rabies and distemper/parvo cocktail of shots. Dr. Bill said he will, um, "take care of" Cooper's "bits and pieces" on Friday (along with taking a closer look at his leg at that time). Cooper's one amorous overture toward Emma was not well received, to say the least. After Friday, that will not be a problem. Right? Please someone tell me I am right!

I've never had a boy dog, and let me tell you they are a whole 'nother species altogether. I mean, just how many times do they have to pee on every tree, shrub, fencepost, whatever! Emma and Tara will daintily "relieve themselves" once, maybe twice, and then get on about their business. Not Cooper. It seems as though anointing every living (or non-living) thing in the yard is his business! Call me silly, but I giggle a little bit every time he lifts his leg. I don't know why, but that just cracks me up!

I know you are wondering why we are calling him "Cooper" when that wasn't ever on any lists of possible "Jane Austen" related names. Well, Wickham and Willoughby were out of the running right away-- cads, both of them. Wentworth is too much of a mouthful. He just isn't a Mr. Darcy, or a Colonel Brandon. He lacks the necessary dignity to carry off such names. Edward was a possibility, but then I knew he would get "Eddie", and that would always make me think of the little dog from Frazier. Bingley was by far the strongest contender, but mom hated it. She said, "Bingley - What's a Bingley?"

Still, where did Cooper come from? Lots of people have heard the acronym WWJD, but few are aware that one of its meanings is really "What Would Jane (Austen) Drive". If she drove...if they would have had cars. The answer to that, I'm sure, is a car that I just happen to lust after... a Mini Cooper! Can't you just see Jane Austen with a Mini Cooper?

Can't picture it?

How about now?


Cooper! Perfect!