6 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com Anna Cooke, Editor in Chief editor unleashed What was I thinking? We had a calm harmonious routine with our two dogs, Angel, a miniature Schnauzer mix, and Teddy, a ShihTzu. Our Scottish Terrier, Dougie MacDougal, had passed away in 2023, just before Thanksgiving, after having graced us with his regal, feisty and wise presence for 13 years. When Dougie died, it took some time for everyone to find their right place in our home again. Angel seemed to be affected the most, unable to find a comfortable spot to sleep when we all went to bed. She and Dougie slept next to each other at night. Teddy, the youngest of this original trio, would often test Dougie’s patience with his playful antics. Dougie was too dignified to even acknowledge Teddy, much less play with him. He did, however, allow Teddy to sit next to him as they both looked out the front door, protect- ing their domain while scouting for any trouble that might be lurking outside. After Dougie’s passing, Teddy, the perpetual comedian, eventually took up the job of making us all laugh again. He became irresistible to Angel, who finally seemed to shed her sadness and began engaging in play with Teddy. Meditative quiet mornings. Their schedules of eating, going outside, and napping on their humans’ laps were as predictable as the ocean tides; the ebb and flow of our lives moved gently throughout the day and night. Then, earlier this year, I received several text messages about a Scottish Terrier puppy who had been owner-sur- rendered to Mercy Full Project in Tampa. The rescue had been looking for a foster- to-adopt who was experienced with the breed. I had another appointment in Tampa already and figured, what harm was there in just going to meet him? One look, and the heart won out over any sense and sensibility. Yes, I was smitten; more like hypnotized by his subtle charms. This puppy used his gentle shyness as a ploy to lure me in. His puppy smell was captivating. I was a goner. On the ride home he slept. Oh, look how calm he is, I thought. I had forgotten that he had been neutered earlier in the day, and the full effects of the anesthesia had not yet worn off. It’s been nine years since we raised a puppy, and that was Angel, who was pretty much perfect. Had we forgotten the work involved with a puppy, or had we been blessed with really good dogs? The chaos was gradual. Angel and Teddy took to Saint (his given name) like water takes to oil. They both demanded a wide berth of him, and probably thought he was just a temporary house guest. By day three, Saint was in full puppy mode. In true Schnauzer form, Angel vocally let him know not to come within five feet of her. Sweet Teddy, with not a mean bone in his little body, was now giving me daily stink eyes. I’m pretty sure my husband was giving me a look that read, “Are you sure about all of this?” The name Saint wasn’t working for us either. We have never had a problem with keeping the given names of all of our adopted dogs. But, Saint was certainly not living up to his name. At around three weeks, an emergency visit to the animal hospital ended up costing us $450. Saint’s symptoms looked like some kind of poisoning. This dog thinks everything on the ground is a delectable treat, so who knows what he’d gotten into, even though he’s kept on a leash when we go outside. Roomba should put his likeness on one of their iRobot vacuum cleaner models. One of the names we had been thinking about was Cooper. In a moment of panic, and the inability to think straight, that was the only name I could remember to write on the hospital forms. Of course, waiting for the tests, I cried over the thought of losing him. I promised to be patient going forward. I promised to embrace the chaos his presence had brought into our home, especially after having just watched another dog code in the ER, and hearing the wails from the dog’s human. Cooper’s head caught my tears as I buried my face into him. Suddenly, the orbit changed. Cooper the Super Pooper continues to cause some kind of angst in our lives every day. He tests our patience. He’s loud and demanding. He’s also very lovable, and gives the softest, sweetest kisses. Finally, after a little over three months, there’s a routine taking shape. Mornings are quiet again, as Cooper has picked up on the other two dogs’ habits. He’s a voracious eater and subsequent super pooper. He has finally started running to the door to let us know of his needs, rather than just stopping and doing his business whenever the movement strikes him. Teddy has stopped giving me the stink eye and now enjoys playing with Cooper. In fact, he’s often the instigator in their roughhousing. Angel plays the referee when things become a bit too rowdy for her. The three of them are always in close proximity of one another now. Angel allows him to nap near her, and sometimes we’ll find him cuddled up next to Teddy in the same dog bed. On the days that are more chaotic than others, I think to myself, please hurry up and grow out of your puppy phase. Then I stop to remind myself not to hurry time. It already moves fast enough. U Time Waits for No One Dougie Cooper
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