Stephanie Collins received the most reader nominations prior to our launch issue to appear in the magazine. If you know someone who is doing great things or has a wonderful story to tell, drop us a line at editor@lifeanddog.com.

COMMUNITY PROFILE: STEPHANIE COLLINS AND COOPER

All Photos by Mel Hammonds of Fetching Images

Cooper was alone and needed a family, but the Collinses weren’t quite ready, having just lost their beloved companion Hunter. This didn’t stop Cooper from stealing their hearts and building a relationship of “trust, gratitude, and adoration.” Out of Stephanie Collins’s love for Cooper and the late Hunter, the Gulf Coast Cocker Spaniel Rescue was born. Through this group, Stephanie works tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs — particularly those with behavioral problems — who deserve a second chance at a happy, healthy life.

We’re inspired by Stephanie’s mission and hope even a small amount of her dedication can influence you to be passionate about what you do in life with your dog.

When LIFE+DOG chatted with Stephanie Collins, we learned so many things about her life with her dogs. Read on to learn more about Stephanie, her family, and the Gulf Coast Cocker Spaniel Rescue.

The Collins Furkids:
Cooper/5/cocker spaniel
McDuff/2/cocker spaniel
Bailey/11/terrier mix
Lucy/6/cattle dog mix
Casey/6/rottie mix

What is your favorite thing to do in Houston with Cooper?

We love to go to agility and events like the dog-friendly Aeros and Astros games! He’s a great ambassador for rescue. From time to time, we enjoy taking him to the dog park as well. We’ve found he prefers running with the ‘big dogs’, although he’d MUCH rather have the attention of a person over a dog ANY DAY.

What has your dog taught you in life?

To cherish every single moment, and to take pleasure in ‘the little things’.  Also, to realize that even though you may not always get what you wish for, sometimes you get so much more!!  After losing Hunter, we never thought we could love another cocker spaniel like him, but Cooper entered our lives 6 short days later (even though we ‘weren’t ready’), and filled the GIANT void that was created with Hunter’s passing.

Do you have a favorite “dog” quoatation?

Just one?!?

“You do not own a dog, the dog owns you”
~ Unknown

What is your favorite thing about dogs?

Their willingness to forgive the atrocities that they’ve endured at the hands of humans, their adaptability to new situations, and their resilience.  Given what our rescue dogs have gone through, I never ceased to be amazed at how loving and GRATEFUL they are just to be loved. Coming from such situations they could have easily turned the other way, as I suspect most humans would have done if they’d traveled the same road…

How has your dog changed your life?

Cooper helped to fill the giant void that Hunter’s passing created, and led to us volunteering for the other local cocker spaniel rescue group. Previously, I’d volunteered for years for Scout’s Honor Rescue, a wonderful, all breed group… but this was a smaller group and these dogs needed A LOT of help. After volunteering for that group for a while and having a desire to implement some different ideas and fundraising initiatives, Tommy encouraged me to start my own rescue and Gulf Coast Cocker Spaniel Rescue (GCCSR) was born.

In short, if it weren’t for Hunter’s death, we wouldn’t have met Cooper. If it weren’t for Cooper, we wouldn’t have become involved with Cocker Spaniel Rescue.

So if it weren’t for both Hunter AND Cooper, GCCSR would not exist today!!

Tell us more about the Gulf Coast Cocker Spaniel Rescue!

I am the President and a Founding Board Member of Gulf Coast Cocker Spaniel Rescue.  This group was begun in June 2010 with a commitment to the training/rehabilitation of dogs with behavioral issues, believing that money invested into those issues is just as important, if not moreso in some cases, as veterinary care. Along these lines, we have been blessed to continue working with Tori Hankey, Hunter’s trainer and rehabilitator, whom we met at Petsmart. After she landed a job as the Head Trainer at Meadowlake Pet Resort, she began the “New Leash on Life” Program, and we were fortunate to have 2of the GCCSR dogs participate in it (Mattie and Leila).  We look forward to our future ‘success stories’ that are born from this relationship, as there is nothing more satisfying than watching a ‘problem dog’ turn around into a productive member of society and landing him/herself into a loving, family environment.  For example, Mattie came to us from BARC on August 12^th ~ a matted mess who had to be shaved to the skin after MONTHS, possibly YEARS of neglect. Initially, she was leery of new people, and we had to pitch her as “best as an only dog, and with no small children” for safety and liability reasons.  However, after a 30 day stay at Meadowlake and the loving care of a couple of very special foster homes, we are happy to report Mattie now resides in a home with a 6 year old (her new BFF who takes an active role in Mattie’s training/daily activity) and a resident beagle. My, what a difference from that dog who came to us from BARC!! And it only took 3.5 months to get to that and find the perfect home for her!

Another focus of GCCSR is implementing new ideas/initiatives in the way of fundraising. Relying solely on the generosity of private donors in order to care for the dogs in our program, we have a commitment to open-mindedness and new ideas when it comes to fundraising.

Finally, realizing that we can’t save ALL the dogs, we will provide vet care AND training as needed, and we will very carefully screen applications we receive for adoptions and fosters. We are committed to finding the best home possible for each of the dogs in our program taking into account their history, likes/dislikes and what we’ve learned about them while in foster care, and we also believe part of our job in rescue is to educate the public about many things. These things include, but are not limited to:

• the importance of spaying and neutering,
• heartworm disease and the importance of monthly preventative,
• proper maintenance and care of cocker spaniels in particular,
• the importance and value of proper nutrition,
• rally/obedience/agility and other ACTIVITIES you can do with your dogs to strengthen your relationship,
• and volunteering for rescue organizations ~ wherever your niche may be ~ so we can continue to do the work we do.

So, in closing, thanks to EVERYONE who has enabled us to save the 55 dogs we’ve taken into our program so far, and to all of the continued support of our fosters, volunteers, donors and others who believe in our cause. We look forward to celebrating many, many “Happy Tails” ahead!!

Gulf Coast Cocker Spaniel would like to thank the following groups and individuals for their support throughout our first year: Tori Hankey, Meadowlake Pet Resort, Texas Cats&Dogs Magazine, Houston Dog Blog, Rover Oaks Pet Resort, Bicycle Word and Fitness, Hickory Barn BBQ, Texas Alaskan Malamute Rescue, Robyn Arouty, Scout’s Honor Rescue, Carter’s Pet Depot, Natural Pawz – Sugar Land, Pet Vet Animal Hospitals, VERGI , Paws Memorial Services, 1-800-Pet-Meds, Bobbi Leder and Tracey Ranauro.