Cooper the CASA Dog [Golden retriever passes away, Lea County, NM]

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[CedarDave]

Cooper, CASA [Court Appointed Special Advocates] of Lea County’s much loved Canine Companion, passed away on December 6, 2016 at the age of 9 years after falling ill during the past Thanksgiving holiday.

Cooper was “purpose bred” for service work in northern New Mexico and professionally trained by Assistance Dogs of the West in Santa Fe. There, his amazing intuition to human nature was nurtured and he learned the many commands and behaviors that would allow him to excel in his work. He began his work serving Lea County in January 2010.

Cooper faithfully served the children of Lea County for six years as the first Courthouse Dog in Lea County and the first Courthouse dog adopted into a CASA program in the United States, through his work at the Lea County Juvenile Detention Center, and in schools in both Hobbs and Lovington. In addition, Cooper worked with the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s office in the early stages of his career. His service there inspired the DA’s office to start their own canine program. Cooper was a beloved friend to every child and adult that he met.

When Cooper was not “on the clock,” he was an avid rabbit chaser and ball catcher, as well as being a professional napper. He loved a good, long sun bath while chewing on a bully stick and lying on cool tile.

Cooper was always up for a car ride, tail wagging, head hanging out the window and tongue hanging out of his mouth – absolutely pumped to get moving, to get going, to get somewhere called anywhere. He might not have any idea where he was headed, but he was always crazy with excitement and eager for the adventure of the day, bursting with enthusiasm and ecstatic that he would run into an old friend and make new friends wherever he went. If life is like a car ride, Cooper taught us that we should all think like dogs.

Cooper brought much joy and happiness to his human family with his lovable nature and goofy personality. He is survived by his handler, Hope Hennessy, and her children, Mason and Lucas Arreola. Cooper was most especially close to Mason, as they grew up together from the time that Cooper was 2 ½ and Mason was three, until Cooper’s death. They shared many special times together as “a boy and his dog.”

Cooper was kind, loyal, mischievous, occasionally naughty, and most especially, secure in his knowledge that everyone loved him. While Cooper was starting to gray in the face, he was young at heart and forever free-spirited.

In his big, little life, Cooper was proof positive that dogs are good for the soul.

Cooper will be deeply missed but never forgotten. He made a profound impact on our community by blazing new trails in the judicial system on behalf of children, inspiring new programs in our community, and helping to make the world a kinder, softer place for those who hurt the most.

A memorial service for Cooper will take place on Tuesday, January 10 at 10 a.m. at Chapel of Hope in Hobbs. The public is invited. In lieu of flowers, CASA would appreciate donations to its Canine Companion Program so the important legacy that Cooper leaves can continue for the children of Lea County.

[CedarDave]

The above was posted two weeks ago as a full column obituary in our local paper. Because the abuse and neglect of children is so prevalent in our southwestern communities due to adult substance abuse, violence and associated crime, the CASA program was formed:

A passionate and powerful voice - CASA of Lea County's trained and court-appointed volunteers advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children. Together with our community's involvement and generous support, we will positively impact the lives of our children.

When children are abused or severely neglected, they must rely on adults to help them obtain justice and services. Who deserves an advocate more than an abused or neglected child? That is the intent of the social service and Family Court systems, but all too often these systems are fraught with escalating caseloads and reduced resources...

Cooper was a big part of it as his friendly nature gave children comfort who might otherwise be traumatized in a courtroom setting.

[Boardwalk]

Good dog! RIP!

[CedarDave]

Ping for Doggie list

[RegulatorCountry]

HIs time under the sun was well spent and he had a ball doing it. We should all be so lucky.

[CedarDave]

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[MAKOTHEDOG]

R.I.P., Casa

[MAKOTHEDOG]

I mean cooper :)

[Dawgreg]

I agree......so sad

[Joe 6-pack]

WOOOF!

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[trisham]

Awwww...what a wonderful boy! Sorry to hear that he is gone.

[trisham]

Thanks for the ping, Joe!

[suijuris]

Ten years is about it for most Goldens. Owned a big male Golden named Buddy that weighed 125 lbs. Biggest lap dog I ever knew...best damned dog I ever owned. Would not harm a fly, but loyal as hell. He was so gentle that I often wondered if he had my back, but he proved he had the balls when an unknown jogger ran up to me in my yard and took a swing at me early one November morning.

I had let Buddy out in the front yard around 5AM. A few minutes later he starting barking so I went back outside to try to get him to quiet down so as not to wake the neighbors. I wore contacts back then and did not have my glasses on so I was temporarily blind as a bat.

I said rather loudly, Hey Buddy, knock it off. Next thing I know, some jogger comes out of the darkness telling me how he was going to kick my ass for mouthing off...not realizing I was talking to the dog.

I knew I was in trouble as I did not have time to explain and could not see very well at all to duck of defend my self. Buddy saw what was about to go down and ran to me and got between us. He stood up on his hind legs and lunged and roared like a lion with a mouthful of teeth trying to get a piece of the guy. Standing almost 6 feet and putting his paws on the guys shoulders. The guy turned and hauled ass.

It was onne of those, what the hell just happened moments. LOL! And certainly an unintended consequence of naming your dog Buddy.

[trisham]

They're wonderful dogs. In our previous home, our neighbors across the street had a Golden named Gus. What a gorgeous, sweet boy! I'd love to own one, but we are full-up at the moment.

Maybe in the future as a rescue...