March 3 1996 —– May 2 2000
Boxer
Copper had what was considered a typical lymphoma.
But he was far from typical in his illness or life.
He had to endure surgery chemo countless shots and blood tests.
And he did it with such a sense of acceptance as if he knew it
was what had to be done.
We tried to give him some dignity in his journey.
Someone said they don’t know how he lived so long being
sick like he was. It must have been our love that sustained him.
I think they were right. I assure you Copper left this world
knowing he was loved dearly. It was hard living with death
at our door daily but there was no choice.
In the days after surgery he was happy gaining weight enjoying
all he had and in the remaining time we totally did all we could for him.
As long as there was a breath in his body and now we will love his as
long as there is a breathe in our bodies
Copper was such an amazing animal it’s like when you are ready
to let go he rallies this was most perplexing.
I am telling you this dog loved his life and we loved this dog.
So many times he was at deaths door ….he just did not want
to leave ever!!!
He had a great will to live and a strong spirit.
When some animals get ill they lose the strength to continue on
and chose to leave this world. This is true with many humans too.
Copper had the deepest desire to be with us longer.
I will so miss his warm licks on my hands..
a nudge at my leg..
a look from those huge brown pools for eyes saying
Mom I love you!
running around couch playing chase with a tug toy…
complete submission from me and him looking like
I am the Top Dog!!
His soft face resting on my lap happy just to be with me.
Copper looking at me and I him with no need to say a thing
I know what he needs…… with no words needed I knew HE loved me
and he knew I loved him….
this I will miss…
I will not ever be the same. I lost a true deep abiding love
which I shared with a wonderful creature.
I know deep down that I will never have this again with anyone.
You can say I will but I feel it in the deepest part of my soul
that this is never to be again.
In deed I will share my self with other human and God’s creatures
but there is no other Copper I can not be what he made me again.
For once in my life I was unconditionally loving someone to the point I
could have died to save them.
With Copper I could have walked brimstones I helped him stay with us
for the extra time with his will power and my devotion he was
able to continue on. And when we near the end and I knew
he could not carry on I really wanted to die with him.
This was not an ordinary dog this was my Heart and Soul.
I have stood up against this fear of death and faced it
as fiercely as Copper faced cancer.
But it hurts.
I am glad to share Copper’s Story.
He deserved to be remember in every way possible .
He loved attention and the limelight from his first moment on earth.
He was the largest in his litter. Was so big the breeders
called him Samson and he was larger than life.
In my heart he will always be the center.
Bye sweet “Honey Man”.
Forever your Mommie
~Frances
| Cooper |