King Copper

<p><span style=color: rgba(34 34 34 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>When I knelt down to Copper's level my heart melted. His amber soul-searching eyes told me all I needed to know.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(34 34 34 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>I recalled sitting at the table perusing a Labrador rescue website. A lab sporting a copper-colored coat stood out like a citrine crystal in a bowl of black diamonds. I had to meet the handsome fellow.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(34 34 34 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>So on a late winter March day in 2012 my family drove to Oakland to meet Copper. A woman was fostering him in her small apartment. He had a gentle demeanor and after a walk around the block and some play time I was ready to take him home. My son and I were excited to welcome Copper into our lives. But my husband and daughter were hesitant to adopt another dog so soon. Would we be replacing Lucky Girl our black lab mix who passed just four months earlier?</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(34 34 34 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Despite telling the woman we needed time to make a decision only three days later we found ourselves signing the adoption papers. Copper effortlessly jumped into the back of our car for a ride to his new home. We heard that the best way to get past the grief of losing a pet is to get a new one and that's what we did. Lucky Girl would always be in our hearts. But after many conversations we felt the timing was right. I especially couldn't shake the feeling that Copper was meant to be our next canine friend.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(34 34 34 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>From the hugs cuddles and games of fetch Copper learned to trust us. And so he became family. For thirteen years he gave us unconditional love. He crossed over the rainbow bridge this past March</span><em style=color: rgba(34 34 34 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>. </em><span style=color: rgba(34 34 34 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>It is serendipitous to know that he came into our lives in March and left our earthly world also in March - the month of new beginnings. He was a bright light in our lives that will shine eternally. This is the power of our dogs or any pet. They leave a positive long-lasting imprint on our souls.</span></p>