It is with a very sad heart that I write to tell you that our sweet Cooper (GRR Heston) passed away on March 19, 2008.   He entered our forever home in September 2001 and fit in immediately.  In 2004, he moved to Germany with us and our cocker spaniel to enjoy his retirement years.  He truly enjoyed life in Germany where dogs are allowed in restaurants, stores, on the train and on the subway.  He traveled more than most people during his time here.  He visited Brussels, Brugges and Bastogne, Belgium; Munich, Rothenburg, Baden-Baden, Edenkoben and Trier, Germany; Prague, Czech Republic; and Salzburg, Austria.

 

He made quite an impact on all who met him and was a great ambassador for the breed.  During his illness, he was cared for by a great team of American military and civilian professionals as well as a team of German vets.  Our German Golden Retriever, Gracie, also did her part with a blood donation to help with his anemia but in the end it was the underlying kidney failure that sent him into distress.  Our wonderful German vet met us at the clinic at 10:00 PM so that Cooper did not have to continue suffering through the night.  He was put to sleep humanely and with dignity and love surrounded by Roy, myself and Gracie.  We miss him terribly and are trying to remember the good times although 6 1/2 years with such a wonderful loving dog was way too short.  We wish we could have had him for the first 3 years of his life as well. 

 

Cooper was our first GRR dog and will not be our last.  We will return to San Antonio in Spring/Summer 2009 and plan to restore our family to its equilibrium of 2 dogs and 2 humans at that time.