Black and tan German Shepherd · Shoot the Dog, Volume Two
Kooper, Koops, Ruby Doo or Rubes
Some dogs have a name. Kooper has a collection.
Kooper, Koops, Ruby Doo or Rubes. All these names belong to the Black and Tan German Shepherd who is always excited to see you - to the point of nearly being overwhelmed.
Every family with a dog knows how this happens. The name on the registration papers lasts about a week. After that, the dog answers to whatever the household has settled on, and usually to three or four other things as well.
The fence was not the point
Kooper's family had a new fence put in. For readers outside Australia: a Colorbond fence is the sheet-steel fencing that runs along a great many Australian back yards. Tall, solid and, you would think, final.
Curious with the outside world, a new colour bond fence didn't stop Kooper from making a side trip through the neighbour's yard to the front yard to watch what's happening in the neighbourhood.
Notice what he did not do. He did not run off. He went through the neighbour's yard to the front, so he could keep an eye on the street. That is a German Shepherd to the bone: not escaping, just supervising.
Beach, bush and the couch
The rest of Kooper's page reads like a good week. Trips to the beach or the bush. Fetching big sticks. Playing with his friends, and then cuddling up on the couch. His family sums him up as smart, affectionate, playful and "a little crazy", which they call "the perfect combination for any companion", escape artist or not.
Page 135
In the book, Kooper sits against a dark background, ears up, looking off to one side with the air of a dog who has just heard the gate. Look closely and there is a soap bubble floating at the end of his nose.
On the facing page are Fred and Bambi, running flat out across the sand. You can read their story here: Bambi was delivered by Santa.
Kooper is one of more than 250 dogs in Shoot the Dog, Volume Two, each beside a few lines from the people who love them.