Our family is fostering a sweet but very shy Beagle/Dachshund mix until we can find him a loving home. Agent Cooper is only 2.5 but he’s had a rough life, having been rescued six months ago only to have his mom pass away suddenly last weekend. In the short time we’ve had Cooper, we’ve become quite attached to him. Despite his shyness, he’s not at all territorial. He lets us pet him (even our 18-month old toddler) and pick him up without a peep. In fact, he hasn’t barked once (a welcome change in our house). He really perks up when we go on our walks around the neighborhood, and we see glimpses of the joy that every dog deserves.

We’re going to be very selective about finding Cooper a great family who understands his needs (assuming we can give him up ourselves). He’s been known to escape from home and disppear for days at a time, so it’s important to keep him leashed when outside. It’s hard to imagine the circumstances that led him to be so shy, but the family that embraces him and loves him will be rewarded with a wonderful companion.

Cooper’s story is heartbreaking, and it’s hard to think about how many other pets need to be rescued from abuse, neglect or abandonment. Our friends at Lost Dog and Cat Rescue, the Washington Humane Society, the Washington Animal Rescue League, and other wonderful rescue organizations take in stories like these every day and work tirelessly to find them loving homes. Please visit their sites, make a donation if you can and consider rescuing or fostering an animal in need. If you are interested in more information about Cooper, you can send me an email.