Cooper is a charming canine who is currently nine years old. Previously, he spent his time with his family, but after they had to relocate, Cooper was brought to a shelter.
Cooper found himself at the shelter for much longer than he expected. Humans would come and go, yet no one stopped at his kennel to provide him with the affection he yearned for.
Fortunately, this unfortunate situation was soon resolved when a woman finally took notice of him and decided to adopt him.
Foster Home
On that day, Cooper’s foster mother arrived intending to volunteer and she inquired which dogs had been there the longest.
“I visited the shelter one day to lend a hand and asked, ‘Which dogs have been here the longest? I wanted to take them on a fun outing. He was one of those, and as soon as I saw him, I knew he needed to come home with me,” Victoria Vazquez, Cooper’s foster mom, shared with The Dodo.
Cooper is now an 11-year-old pup who, according to Vazquez, embodies an “old man meets toddler” personality.
He delights in spending time with his loved ones and basking in the sun, enjoying naps, and playing with his toys.
Despite the love between Vazquez and Cooper, this pup cannot stay in his foster situation indefinitely.
Cooper isn’t fond of the current conditions in his foster home. Vazquez has another dog that he isn’t particularly keen on, and his foster mother is often working long hours – which Cooper dislikes immensely.
While they manage to adapt for the time being, this arrangement isn’t suitable for the long haul.
“It’s undoubtedly a much better circumstance than the shelter, yet I can see he’d flourish in a home where he can comfortably relax and enjoy an entire house to himself around the clock,” Vazquez expressed.
Vazquez is doing her utmost to help this lovable pup find the home he deserves. Over the nine months he’s been with her, she has discovered seven potential families.
Regrettably, each of those adoptions ended at the last moment.
“He resembles a lot like a beagle, and even when I clarify that he isn’t — he’s tall and over 70 pounds — individuals are still surprised. A few have mentioned they expect him to be particularly short and stout. He’s essentially a slender beagle on stilts. Additionally, there’s his age… I’ve realized many people are hesitant to bond with a dog in their golden years,” she shared.
Sadly, due to his history and the fact that his previous family abandoned him, Cooper experiences separation anxiety – making his adoption somewhat more challenging.
“His family had him for his entire life yet left him at a shelter when he was [9 years old]. After spending so much time there and moving between various foster homes, I’d develop anxiety too. Many dogs truly do! There [are] numerous subtle factors, [and] it’s these issues that have caused him to be overlooked repeatedly,” Vazquez added.
New Strategy
A while later, Vazquez opted to adopt a new strategy.
She collected all the rejection messages regarding Cooper and compiled them into a video she shared on TikTok to highlight just how heartbreaking the situation was.
@woofnwellness 8 months… Eight months of finding Cooper a permanent home. We just received our sixth formal rejection today. The message doesn’t contain all of these because it’s hard for me to even read it. It was the best meet & greet he’s ever had. He snuggled, licked her, settled down swiftly, took a nap, and she even raised my hopes. Talked about how wonderful her yard is, how they’re home all the time, how her other dog is so amazing. I can’t stop crying. My heart aches for him and I can’t comprehend why nobody wants him!? They apply for him and meet him. However, they never follow through. Surely, someone out there desires to offer a home to a senior. He’s incredibly sweet, so snuggly, and of course he has his quirks like any other dog but, it’s what defines him. Exhausted from the no’s and the disappointments. I’m just thankful he’s unaware of the rejection… he’s experienced enough of that already. Apologies for the rant. I’m simply worn out from potential adopters breaking my heart but, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? And it’s certainly making me more resilient for the long journey of working in animal welfare. I’ll always be a voice for the voiceless. #AdoptableDog #SeniorDogs #Rescue #DogRescue #SeniorDogRescue #SeniorDogsOfInstagram #DogsOfTiktok #VoiceForTheVoiceless #AnimalWelfare #DogMom #FosterMom #DogFosterMom ♬ original sound – 𝑛𝑒̀𝑙𝑙𝑎ଓ
Vazquez isn’t losing faith, and she believes there is the ideal home for this pup out there – they merely need a bit of patience.
“Cooper’s perfect home would certainly be a space without cats — he enjoys chasing them. Although he gets along wonderfully with children, I believe he’d prefer older kids. Additionally, he needs someone who’s often at home, whether working remotely or being a stay-at-home parent. He simply desires to be with family, as that’s when he feels the most at ease. He’s adaptable regarding activity levels. He would love to go on adventures if someone is willing to take him on hikes and walks! Yet, he’d also be completely fine lounging on the couch watching movies and TV. He’s a love bug who goes with the flow and enjoys eating, sleeping, sniffing, pottying, and repeating,” she concluded.
If you or someone you know is interested in adopting this darling boy, don’t hesitate to reach out to Victoria Vazquez for additional details.