Copper

In August 2015, I was volunteering for RAGOM as a transport team lead when a beautiful 3 year old Irish Setter/Golden Retriever named Copper came into Hotline. I offered to pick him up and foster him for one night with a permanent foster lined up in Iowa. When I entered the surrendering owner's home, he was on me like velcro, crying for me to get him out of there! We bonded that Friday night. The next day I brought him to the first leg transporter's home in Minneapolis, kissed him and said good bye.

Three hours later I get a phone call from that transporter asking me to meet back at her house in about another three hours because Copper had turned into Cujo, not allowing them to take him out of his kennel. Upon my arrival back in Minneapolis, I had absolutely no issues with him. He cried for me to let him out, so I did.

As it was Labor Day weekend, our boarding facilities were full, so I was asked to continue to foster him until we had a better handle as to his issues. We evaluated him immediately and it was determined that there was some pretty serious abuse within his surrendering family's home as well as him being adopted out of a known puppy mill at 12 weeks old. So, we have a Puppy Mill & PTSD boy on our hands. I had no experience with dogs with these types of issues as my first two Goldies were almost perfect. Challenge accepted!

Some time passed all the while not expecting him to stay with me but he sure made an excellent case to stay. In December it became official. I was his new Dad! As time passed we became closer and closer, I was his pack leader...we worked through his problems together and we ultimately became one.

As many of you know, we had some amazing adventures...my family's 3.5 acre island on Rainy Lake in Canada, tooling around in the boat on Lake Kabetogama and Rainy, two Winters in Arizona, many rides in HIS truck, hanging out with his BFF Rosie Girl (16-129) etc. Many people have told me that they knew before I did that he and I were meant to be.

In May of 2023 Copper Boy was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma. June 6th he underwent a Splenectomy which had a two pound tumor attached to it. He had a slow recovery mostly on our island, but come August he had rebounded, almost back to his old self. We spent around a month in the Twin Cities through the holidays, returning back home up north on Christmas Day. On January 2, 2024 he developed an internal bleed and there is no coming back from that. On January 4th we helped him cross over to the Rainbow Bridge and just like that, he was gone.

I was so blessed and lucky that he was my life for over eight years and immensely grateful for all of the guidance mainly from within the RAGOM community. It takes a village. I am proud that he chose me as his pack leader and that he trusted me to be his human companion. I will always miss and love you CB, run free my boy! 

Frederick T.

We are pleased to announce that Copper Boy has been adopted by the 'T' family. Copper's life will continue to improve with consistent training, many adventures and much love!

Please welcome Mister Copper 15-200 to RAGOM! Copper is a Three year old Irish Setter/Golden Retriever mix born on July 27, 2012. Copper has been with us since September 4, 2015 and has completely melted all hearts that he has met. He is an energetic happy boy that just wants to be outside all the time. He is up to date on shots, has been micro-chipped and was neutered by his previous family. He walks pretty well on a flat collar until he sees wildlife and will pull but he usually does better when you give him a tug or two. Remember, he is just a teenager so he is usually ready to go! He is completely housebroken, zero accidents in the house since he arrived. He will usually pace when he needs to go out. He knows sit, lay down, stop and he is getting better with heel. He takes treats pretty well but if he is really excited he will be a bit grabby. Presently working on that.

Copper does have a few quirks. First, he HATES crates and really doesn't need one as he has free roam of FD's house. Secondly and most importantly, he resource guards his food and high-value items like rawhides and elk antlers in particular. He signals disdain when you are too close by growling and raising his upper lip, no bite history to date just a snarky attitude when he is busy eating or gnawing, also slowly working with him on that and his forever family will need to actively work on this consistently. I put 10+ for kids because he needs older, dog savvy kids who understand that he resource guards altho Copper does love kids of all ages. He is very slowly learning to trade for treats. He LOVES LOVES LOVES car rides! He is everyone and every dogs BFF. He loves his humans and loves to play with dogs of all sizes and shapes. Copper is a velcro dog that wants to be where his humans are all the time. He has a high prey drive so a 6 foot or higher fence is required for this handsome boy. If you are interested in learning more about Copper 15-200 let your placement advisor know!