I want to introduce you to "Cooper," a young yellow lab that lives just up the road from us. Cooper came to live with our youngest son Jamie, and his wife Marie about three years ago, when he was still very much a puppy at about a year old. Right from the start, we suspected Cooper had some problems, but since he'd been confined to a crate much of his life, we all thought with exercise and patience, he'd begin to have better coordination and wouldn't be frightened of stairs or even one step. He seemed so happy to have a loving family, a "cousin Casey" to play with, and freedom to roam, he captured our hearts and it was love at first sight for all of us. We tried to guide him down flights of stairs - invariably he'd leap after the first few steps, and he would leap clumsily over logs or rocks or imagined obstacles and often crash, but never complained.

Sadly, Cooper didn't learn, though he tried, but instead became more and more debilitated. Jamie and Marie took him to specialists and got as many opinions as there were doctors. Nothing worked for long, and by this fall, in spite of medications and acupuncture treatments, herbs and loving care, Cooper had lost much of the use of his hind quarters. He tried hard, but we all knew he was probably hurting and he seemed as depressed as the humans who loved him.

Jamie and Marie are not ones to give up easily. Jamie got busy and, with the help of his older brother, Bill, parts purchased or recycled from some other "project," and some sheepskin I had in my store of "useless junk," Jamie designed and built a cart to support Cooper's faulty rear end.

When he was first strapped into the harness between the big wheels and shiny metal bars, everyone expected there would be a learning period for a few days, but Cooper never missed a beat. It was as if he knew immediately what to do. He was finally able to run without staggering, travel in a straight line again, and get to most of the places he loved but were out of reach when he could only walk a short distance - always in circles. Within days he perked up and now seems to even be gaining some strength in his back legs now they don't have to support the full weight of his body.

Tonight Jamie brought him down to see us. He may not be able to do everything he used to, but we think he's got a new lease on life, thanks to a very caring family. Way to go, Cooper!