Vest/Map

Cooper’s vest/harness he wears when we’re riding has a hook that loop that is used to connect his seat belt to while we’re riding the motorcycle.

There are also a few patches sewn on.  One of those patches on his right shoulder has a map of the United States with the states we’ve ridden through colored in.

I know you can’t see the patch.  I have this graphic to show what that map shows.  It’s quite impressive.  These are the states we have ridden through on the motorcycle in Cooper’s life time.  And we’re not done yet.

Precious Puppy Picture

Precious Puppy Picture…

No words needed to tell the story of what emotions this picture stirs in me.

Very First Event

This was Cooper’s very first event where there were hundreds and hundreds of bikes.  He did great!  It was the Blue Knights Blessing of the Bikes in Dennis MA.  

This was 2007.  A LONG time ago.  Cooper is so little there.  I remember he loved to dig in the beach sand.  It was his first time experiencing the beach too.

Puppy Hair

Cooper was so young here.  This was the first picture ever taken with a nice camera.  I remember how impressed I was that the camera captured all the little curls all over his half grown body.  

I can remember how soft he was then.  His puppy hair was softer than any puppy I had ever felt.  He’s still soft, but now at 10 years old it’s not as soft as puppy hair.

Under A Year Old

I love looking at old pictures.  I don’t think Cooper was even one year old here.

This is our first Gold Wing, the one he learned to ride on.  And that harness is the very first one he ever rode when I had to put him behind me.

Sailing

These days were great days.  Cooper was about 2 or 3 years old here.   

We have been privileged to do great things in our days together.  There are guaranteed to be many many more days with more very special adventures.  

Best Hair

This is one of my favorite pictures of Cooper’s long hair.

I think it’s the longest it’s ever been.  Sometimes when I brush it out we lose some length but it always grows back.

Almost Time

Warm summer nights by the fire.  We just love the peaceful feeling.

It’s about time we might get a few nights like this very soon.

Silliness

I had forgotten all about this silly picture.  This was one take.  That’s all Cooper would allow.

Warren wasn’t too happy about it either.  I thought it was hysterical!

The Real Us

I love these pictures.  They show the real us.

Me and my best dog…

and my best friend.

Always Barking

Anyone who has been around Cooper long enough knows that when we get around a lot of bikes or in a parade where there are a lot of people, he barks and barks while wagging his tail and pacing from side to side.

I have to say, he enjoys these activities as much as any biker does.  He’s truly in his element.  A very happy boy.

Out There

When Cooper was a puppy, one of the most important things I was able to teach him was that, just because a door is open doesn’t mean you should go through it.

He will stand at an open door and watch for as long as he’s interested.

He would rather be out there, but he knows he can’t sometimes.

He will look at me as if to ask, but when the answer is no, it’s no.

Taking Care

My daughter posted this on FaceBook.  She loves Cooper for the gentle soul he is.

She was having an anxiety attack when she was at my house.  Cooper came to help her.  He did the same thing he does for me.  He stook looking at her like this until he was invited up on her, then he climbed on her to comfort her by laying with her.  He has such good instinct.

Easter Donation Delivery

Our motorcycle group has a place where we donate clothes, blankets and coats we collect from all sources.

I told Cooper to stay inside so I didn't have to watch him

It’s called the Nathan Hale Foundation.

When we have about a truck load we gather some of the members and load a truck with the donations.

We follow the truck with our bikes and everyone unloads the truck.

We love to stand around and chat with the organizers of this organization and hear of all the good work being done to help our veterans.

Cooper has gotten to really like them.

He gets tons of attention from Chris every time we go.

See Cooper under Chris' leg?

And Diane takes some really good pictures, all of which you see here.

Stuck In A Sleeve

This was funny.  Cooper climbed inside a sweat shirt and got himself stuck in the sleeve.

So I opened the wrist end of the sleeve to peek at Cooper and he started barking at me when he saw me.

I couldn’t resist putting my camera in the wrist of the sleeve and take a picture of him.  SO FUNNY!

Sleepy Boys

Cooper doesn’t usually snuggle.

But every now and then it he seems to like it.

Or at least tolerate it.

For maybe five minutes…

IF you’re lucky.

Meeting Mini

Cooper met a little 4 month old Chihuahua.

She was wiggly and excited.

TINY… maybe all of two pounds.

She was equally as excited to see Cooper as she was to see people.

So much attention on that little girl with a LONG life ahead of her.

I hope her life is a FANTASTIC as Cooper’s has been.

TAVVA POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony - The Media

After the ceremony I wrote about yesterday the reporters walk around to get stories for the local papers.

They did two stories about us.  One was about Cooper, and the other was about our motorcycle group.

Cooper is a good attention getter for the Patriot Riders of America.

He breaks the ice a lot so I can get the word about all the good work we do for the veterans.

And while we talk people tend to love to pet him for as long as we talk.  Cooper LOVES that part.

Here are two of four articles I know of that were written that weekend.

TAVVA POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony - Dog Tags

There is a sense of duty and honor in taking part in the annual POW/MIA Ceremony.

We listen to the reason why the Taunton Area Vietnam Veterans Association (TAVVA) has held this event for the past 35 years.

We read the names of the soldiers still missing from the Vietnam War.

Placing them on the crossroads sign that reads, “Bring Us Home”.

Everyone is used to seeing Cooper at this event.

There was another service dog at this years ceremony.

Cooper is perfectly well behaved at these events as long as people aren’t trying to play with him or pet him.

I think sometimes he knows how to act better than some people do.