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IMG_6103Close your eyes and imagine for a moment that your forever friend is missing. The animal you vowed to care and love for has disappeared. You feel helpless, you feel like you failed them, you have a sinking feeling in your stomach that you can’t ignore. It’s a traumatic feeling for you and your family, but unfortunately it does happen.

Cooper got away from his family and was lost for over 24 hours before being reunited. Cooper was posted on Winnipeg Lost Dog Alert and he along with the group searched for Cooper high and low. Eventually he was sighted on the ice of the Red River alone and two of our emergency responders were called to the scene. Cooper was once in the water, but found his way out and walked along the riverbank. WHS responders followed Coopers tracks for a few minutes and spotted him on a nearby balcony.

Cooper was terrified, and rightfully so. Our responders hung out with Cooper and offered him treats in attempt top calm him down and gain his trust. Eventually they managed to get him on a leash and bring him to The WHS, but he was still quite frightened and shaking. Our staff gave him some breakfast and then got to work finding his family.

Thankfully, the dog had proper identification so locating his family was a breeze. Our intake staff used his City of Winnipeg dog license and rabies tag to contact his family and let them know Cooper was with us. They had been searching high and low for the dog, and the phone call from The WHS came with a big  sigh of relief. Cooper was okay!

They wasted no time coming to the shelter to pick him up. Until that point, Cooper had been hiding in the back of his run and was terrified. It was clear that only the love from his family was going to bring him out of the kennel.

As soon as Cooper saw them, he jumped up for kisses and hugs. His tail was exuberantly wagging back and forth, while his family proudly called out his name “Cooper!!”

We still don’t know who was more excited: his family or the dog. It was probably a tie.

Our WHS staff sometimes encounter tough situations while on the job, and every now and then those stories are IMG_6098heartbreaking. But Cooper’s story fills us with joy and reminds us why we do this work. And we love sharing these stories with you, our supporters.

Cooper is just one of 1001 reasons why you are so important to our cause. When you support the Liberty Tax Service 1001 Donations you support lost dogs like Cooper. You support animals like Mittens and Yazmine in need of medical attention. You give dogs like Summer and cats across Winnipeg second chances, while creating new beginnings for others.

The WHS is only successful because of your support.

Tune into 1001 Donations on March 20 (Shaw TV, streaming online, QX 104.1, or 94.3 The Drive) to hear more about the success stories you were a part of and donate.