Cooper's Road Trip to Maryland

After my grandmother passed away last week, Cooper was treated to an impromptu road trip to Maryland for the funeral. For him, the trip was filled with fun times -- except for the 24+ hours he spent in the car.

Cooper loves visiting my parents! He gets homemade treats and there's always someone around ready to walk him -- what's not to love?


On Friday, my brother took Jeff, Cooper and me to Gilbert Run Park. We walked the two-mile hiking trail and Cooper swam a little bit in the 60-acre freshwater lake. We also tried to get Cooper to fetch a ball at the park, but he's definitely not the retriever type (more on that later). Here is a photo of Brian and Cooper relaxing after the long day.

On Saturday, Cooper spent the day with my aunt Lisa, uncle Alan, cousin Jennifer, and their springers, Smooch and Wee. Here are a couple great pictures of Cooper that Alan took.

Not only did Alan groom Cooper, but we also took all the pups swimming! Here's a video of Cooper following Smooch around the pond.

We learned that Cooper would not retrieve the water dummy, but he would retrieve any stick we threw in the water! Here are some photos from our swimming adventure.

Lisa and Jennifer

Alan and Jennifer with Wee

Smooch

Cooper with a stick

Jeff throwing a stick for Cooper

Cooper was sad to leave Maryland, but he gets to see everyone again next month. And we'll be vacationing in a cabin on a lake, so I guess we'll need to stock up on big sticks for Cooper!

Cooper's Holiday Travels

Cooper traveled to four states during the holidays this year (and rode through several others). While we were worried about his carsickness issue, we learned that one bonine pill per day keeps the vomit and drool and anxiety away!

Here's a map of Cooper's 2010 holiday road trip - more than 2,600 miles total.

First stop: Ohio, to visit Jeff's mom's side of the family. Here is a photo of Cooper and his friend Sammy (Aunt Karen's dog) and a photo of Cooper galloping through the snow. Cooper definitely loved the winter weather in Ohio! Thanks to Grandpa Dillon (and his dog Mandy) for letting us stay with them.

Second stop: New Jersey, for Jeff's grandmother's 97th birthday. Here are photos of Jeff's brothers Kirt and Mike playing with Cooper. Thanks to CJ and Katie for letting us stay at their house!

Third stop: Maryland, with stops at my parents' house and my aunt and uncle's house. Here are photos of Cooper with my brother and his girlfriend Julie. Cooper was definitely smitten with Julie!

Here are photos of Cooper running around with his friends Smooch and Wee (my aunt Lisa and uncle Alan's dogs) and a photo of Lisa, Alan and their daughter Jennifer with Smooch, Cooper and Wee.

Cooper was at their house on the day of the Maryland-ECU bowl game, so he was wearing his game gear for a little while! And the Terps won, so I guess Cooper's Maryland bandanna is good luck!

Cooper also got to meet Stephanie and Eric while in Maryland, and Ashley, Lance and Luke during our last stop in North Carolina (where he got to meet three other dogs). Unfortunately we didn't get any photos of them with Cooper.

Cooper enjoyed his 2010 holiday road trip and can't wait to go on another road trip soon, now that he has doggie friends in so many places! And Jeff and I had a great trip visiting family and friends too!