Cooper

By Todd Perlman

For Cooper Chisaki, a trip to Point Isabel is simply part of life’s grand adventure. “He just loves going there – it’s like doggy heaven,” says owner Jane Chisaki. In many ways, Cooper is a typical golden retriever: He loves to swim and play ball, easily tracking one down even if he and Mom don’t come prepared. He always finds friends to play with on his regular outings to the Point, whether with Jane on weekends or midweek during group outings from nearby Metro Dog day care.

But like all dogs, he’s got his own personality. “He’s probably the barkiest golden I’ve ever had – and the gassiest,” says Jane, who owned four goldens before Cooper. “And he bays, which is unusual. When he gets home, he likes to run to the back yard and tell the whole neighborhood he’s there.”

Perhaps above all, Cooper likes adventure. “Oh, he’s an adventure dog for sure.” Nowhere is this more evident than on his multi-day trips aboard a 95-foot former Coast Guard cutter for river outings with the Sea Scouts troop Jane leads. Cooper, sporting his own lifejacket, enjoys roaming the deck. Every so often, he will jump in the river for a swim, and the crew hauls him in.

And he somehow always manages to find a ball.