Cooper's Weekend with Otto

Cooper's friend Otto spent last weekend with us. The weekend was filled with lots of fun for them -- and early mornings for Jeff and me!


Cooper and Otto spent time chasing each other around.

And they spent time playing tug with toys.

And one or twice a day, they took a break from all the playing.

Cooper's New Hobby

This fall, Cooper is trying his nose at tracking! We had a private lesson Labor Day weekend and since then we've been practicing on our own a few days per week at a park near our house. 


Cooper's sense of smell was awakened after the first lesson! We now routinely find him tracking around the house and during our walks. Cooper still prefers tracking in the park though because he gets treats at the end of each path!


Here are a few photos of Cooper tracking. 

Cooper's Summer Vacation

In August, Cooper took a summer vacation to Asheville, North Carolina. 


Cooper swam A LOT during the trip! The house we rented was on a lake and had an indoor pool, so Cooper spent most of his vacation wet. First, in the lake.

And in the indoor pool:

Then Cooper hiked to the top of the Chimney Rock State Park (he would have reached the top twice as fast if Jeff and I weren't with him!) -- elevation 2280 feet.

View of the top from the parking lot.

Cooper at the top of Chimney Rock!

Cooper and Jeff at the top of Chimney Rock.

Taking a break at the top of Chimney Rock.

At Chimney Rock State Park, we also hiked to the waterfall.

Taking a break with the waterfall in the background.

Cooper and Jeff set out to reach the bottom of the waterfall.

Almost there.

Playing in the bottom of the waterfall.

Playing in the waterfall.

Posing at the bottom of the waterfall.

Thanks to Grandma Vogel, Cooper had a new towel to dry off with after all the swimming he did!  SuperCooper!

And then after all the swimming and hiking, Cooper was worn out!

Cooper passed out on the couch.

Alan relaxing with Wee, Smooch and Cooper.

...except when there was food involved. (Notice who the well-behaved pup is.)

  

Summer vacation? Did you say summer vacation? Cooper's at the door ready to go again!