Handsome boy, Cooper, is a Bichon Poo who was just one year old when he came into rescue care. He was a “gift” to a mom who knew nothing about Bichon Poos or puppies. More often than not, this sort of “gifting” is not in the best interest of a companion animal.  This point merits an annual reminder.

Your whole family should discuss the responsibilities involved in animal adoption and homing. Far too many animals come into rescue due to families failing to consider the animal’s full range of behaviors and needs, particularly at this time of year.

Cooper was never groomed, and his hair was so matted it became pelted. He had to be shaved naked. He was never really housebroken (just kept in a crate), and he wasn't neutered. In short, he wasn’t given an appropriate small dog start. 

Cooper’s ever-patient foster mom, Gib Gibson, worked with him to stop nipping when he was being put back in his crate (which is pretty much where he had lived). She worked on housetraining as well. Soon his energetic and loving personality began to emerge, and he could entertain a room full of people!

Now Cooper has “fallen into gold.” He lives with a mom, a dad and a housekeeper who “takes him on walks to meet and greet his girlfriends.”  He “lays on the couch and poses.”  At last, he is living a life of being spoiled, as we wish for all our rescues. His new family made the choice to love him responsibly.