Cooper Crofton

THE BEST GRANDPA IN THE WORLD

Cooper came from Monaghan Pound where he had been surrendered with his ‘brother’ a Black Labrador, a month ago. He wasn’t doing well in the kennels and IRR said we would love to take him. Never, in a thousand years did we expect such a roller coaster of emotions that would go with Cooper and whom we had affectionately called ‘Grandpa’.

Carrick Dog Kennels next to Monaghan Pound were told that they were ten years old. His brother did fine and was able to cope and was taken to a sanctuary in Donegal. The belief is now that Cooper was more thirteen or even fourteen.

When IRR picked him up it was clear he hadn’t been loved in an eternity. He was matted, filthy and could hardly walk, but tried his best. His eye wept a lot, and went straight to the vet from Carrick Dog Kennels and discovered it was a cyst. It was operated on and the surgery went fine and after 10 days, Kathryn groomed him.

He was frightened of water but the soft suds, massage and gentle soothing tones helped him realise that this might be a turning point but was he prepared to take the chance?

It was clear that he was a favourite with puppies, hence, the name ‘Grandpa’. Small dogs and puppies nestled in beside him as he slept, playing and jumping as he raised his head to see if they were ok, content that they weren’t getting into too much trouble.

You had to be gentle when you groomed or brushed him telling him he was the ‘best grandpa in the world’ as his fear often overwhelmed him.

Sometimes, he was terrified and shook uncontrollably, his last life surely was more than just very difficult.

He loved to watch the world go by, in the yard as he saw dogs running around or horses snorting when being washed or the yowl of a cat as he streaked across the yard like a bolt of lightning.

He was brought to the vet the previous Saturday and put on tablets and injections which clearly hadn’t worked. A small oozing cyst developed on his back paw preventing him from putting full weight on his paw, which the vet thought might be something more serious.

He stopped eating and although brought into the warmth of the kitchen days before, lost control of his bowels over a short period, we knew then, that time was short. God was calling him home.

Clive and Evelyn were very worried and when Kathryn arrived to check on him the following Monday morning (New Years Eve morning) it was evident that he had already decided he ‘wanted to go home’.

He loved to be kissed and his head cradled in your hands as you told him that hewas so loved. Perhaps, just perhaps, he finally he believed he was. Kathryn and her sister Lesley, brought him to the IRR Veterinary Hospital and had a long talk with the vet after previously discussing it with Lorraine.

It is one of the hardest things to do. Rescue is full of hard choices but, the reality and practicality of those choices and doing what’s best is quite a different matter. Cooper was adopted in his final hours by Kathryn, knowing that her dog Hardy, who had passed in July 2018 would be there to show him the ropes.

Prayers were said to open the ‘Gates of Heaven’ and to ask for an easy passing. In his short time with us, he made a lasting impact on anyone who met him, both dogs, puppies and people. He was without doubt a ‘Gentle man’, I rarely use the term as it is so precious.

Kathryn kissed him, stroking him constantly telling him what a brave boy he was, and he had surely made ‘Grandpa of the century’.

Copious amounts of tears fell as his face was cradled in her hands.

Cooper was surrounded by love, heartbreak and deep sorrow and passed from this life at 3.55 on 31.12.2018 where his brother Hardy, awaited him to help him cross Rainbow Bridge.