Date: 2014-06-06
From: Dan's Spring (Tenting)

To: Allentown, PA (Motel)
Miles today: 0.0

Day 97, June 6, 2014 Well, last night we had made the decision to hike out. Again we had scowered the woods and I was convinced Coop was not in the vicinity. Per yesterday we all concured TLM got disoriented and would head down to civilization. It was very very early when I heard stiring from the Shamans tent, 0530. They like me are not early risers. I told Cheese Its later that day I think we all moved early so we would not have to put off the inevitable, that being leaving the area where Coop was last seen. Most people know min pins are arrogant and Houdini's. What they don't know is they are notorious cowards and only brave when on the leash or Momma is near. I told the Cheese Its it might be a couple more days before he is hungry enough to leave the woods and beg. Everyone, all 9 hikers and others, yelled for Coop over the next few miles. And we got the Allentown Shelter again. It was a dejavu hike. I called State Game Lands to let them know about Coop and Raman called more vets. We came out on that paved road again. But turned left first to a restaurant in view. I was able to treat the search party to a burger and also upgrade Coops microchip, thanks Michelle B. for your help. We headed out again. When I left the paved road this time I did not feel any angst. He was not on that mountain. Now it was up to him. We walked about 2 miles and just prior to starting a climb up a rock obstacle my phone rang. I looked at it, did not recognize the number and did not want to be optimistic. Raman and Cheese also froze and looked back in anticipation. "Hello", I say. "Hi, my name is Josh, a dog named Cooper showed up in my garage" I replied, "are you sh#tting me!!! Is he ok". I am not sure what was said after that, but remember leaning over and tears and emotion taking over. I remember Cheese It and Raman rubbing my back. I focused. Josh asked where I was from. I said Wyoming. He paused and said he wasn't sure how to get Coop back to Wyoming. I laughed. "No I am in PA." Anyway we set up a reoudevous point back at the restaurant. I asked Raman to go ahead as he's the fastest and we did not want to miss the arrival. The hike back to the road was tough. I felt like the weight of the world was lifted off me. I felt sick to my stomach. I had a headache. I was exhausted. At each mini breakdown Cheese Its hugged me. Oh man! I thought, even before the reunion, Coop hasn't learned crap. Have I? I have told the "Coop on the loose story" one to many times. I never want to tell this story again. I feel like the girl who cries wolf. It is scary and embarrassing. Cheese It and I walk in just as Josh and his family arrive. Coop ran to me and then ran the other way looking for food or squirrels. We waited to get the story from Josh. Per Josh, he works nights. His young daughter, maybe 11, asks him to open the garage door for her friend who is coming over. He goes to his glass door that leads to the garage and Coop is staring at him!!! I guess he likes garages too So Coop did what we thought. Hiked off the mountain. But hiked 6 or 7 miles in the valley. Josh said behind his house is a bog!! Then Josh said is it ok that we fed him two hot dogs! LOL!! Of course I said! And thought of Rex!!! Well, there was no way Coop was hiking. He was like a doggie zombie. So Raman Shaman did his usual magic and worked out a plan. He really needs to use these skills in whatever career he choose. Trail Dad ended up shuttling us to Allentown, PA. We ate, will get dog food for both dogs and cosmic brownies!!! Dad is staying with us and will take us back to the trail in the am. I really like him. Oh, so yes "we are living here in Allentown" Ms. Bell I might have a song here? What an AWESOME day. Again thank you everyone for prayers or vibs or energy or searching. It worked. Coop is safe and I hope I know his boundaries. So, want to keep it real? 99.9 percent of the posts commenting on TJ or FB have been all positive. I know a few of you want to chastise me for this loss of Cooper, especially those who are dealing with round 3, and rightfully so. I concur. I feel like a nitwit and am emotionally exhausted. I have had only had two anonymous posts that were very harsh, both on the Trail Journals guest book. And I want to share one with you, but of course before I do I have to pontifiate. I love Howard Stern. He's actually a good guy and loves animals and his wife and his cubs. He also likes to dig on people. One of these peoples was Lady Gaga. Well, finally she has the balls to come on his show. Before she showed up her "little monsters" are tweeting and FBing Howard horrible things, to include the C Word and threats. She comes on and it was incredible. I didn't know crap about her but after the interview I was a convert and Little Monster. She sang a song with just a piano and it brought me to tears. But I digress. Lady Gaga preaches anti bullying and her monsters were bullying Howard via the internet. She concured. The summary of thier discussion was that the internet makes it easy to say horrible crap anonymously. What I am about to post is strangely bizzare because it mentions incidents from the first two weeks of the hike. But the most offensive comment is from Trail Journals and what I think was derogatory towards people with autism: "Signed by Idaho on 6/6/14 8:40 PM ---------------------- I hope Coop makes it to safety and finds a good home. Per your journal, one day on the trail he ate 4 hot dogs. Another day he ate sausage grease. He also ate some "gourmet" canned dog food. One night he was shivering - but according to you - he was "faking it". Several journal entries comment on his vomiting. I pray you never find him, and someone more caring, does. He's freaking cute. If I didn't live in Idaho, I'd come out there and find him. Love to Coop and hoping he finds a better life. I'm also praying for you. Are you autistic?" It is a hurtful comment and I am thankful that most people have not been so mean. Cheese It and Ramen have told me to ignore people's harsh words and they know how good Cooper has it out here, but of course those that know me know that is easier said then done. In closing I tried to go thru every FB comment over the last few days and read each of them and "liked" them. And was filled with humility as I read them and wished Coop was not a narcissistic ass and could feel the love. Cowgirl and The Little Man Hiked today: 0.0 Completed: 1240.0 Remaining: 945.3 Start Point: Dan's Spring End point: Allentown, PA (Motel)