The Best Companion
KUPATA’S ROAD TO FAME SIpnotltihgeht
We call him our resident cow whisperer, but Larry’s so humble that he’ll tell you he just “handles” them. Larry’s worked with us for seven years; we’re lucky to have him. He makes sure everyone’s kept safe, doctors, techs, and cows alike, as we perform examinations. Cows can be nervous, particularly when MEET LARRY: OUR FAVORITE COW WRANGLER
We often think dogs live the good life, as they seem to do nothing but play, eat, and sleep. Yet, some dogs are busy at work, some without being asked to do so! Take Kupata, the stray dog in Georgia, for example. This street-roaming pup takes it upon himself to guard a crosswalk all day, every day. In the town of Batumi, this stray stays by a single crosswalk and forces traffic to stop to allow pedestrians to cross the street. He’s especially protective of children! If Kupata sees a car isn’t slowing down, he’ll bark at the driver as they drive away and run to protect the person crossing the street. One local even shared that Kupata will cross the road with children and stay at the park to protect the youngsters. The Stray Dog Who Captured the World’s Heart
sick or hurt, and he lets us know what he’s observed and ensures they’re as comfortable as possible while we work on them.
Saying Larry is a fan of the outdoors would be the understatement of the century. Even when it’s cold or rainy, he says, “It doesn’t matter. I’m not inside.” He’s a real outdoorsman, feeding and wrangling the cows in our care. That’s after he takes care of his own 15-cow herd in the morning. Larry raises calves from his herd and even milks a couple of his cows. He has a lot of fun with the small calves when they’re born; who wouldn’t? Though he
Kupata, which in English means “sausage,” has become a staple in the community due to his hard work, and locals all pitch in to care for and feed the stray dog. His consistently round belly shows just how loved he is. You’ll even see a massive painting of the beloved animal on a nearby building.
doesn’t individually name all 15, he does have a particularly hilarious nickname for one of them. Poo
has had an especially stinky couple of instances around his truck, and though folks may think most cows are stinky, in reality, “most are clean, really.” He’s worked with them all his life as he grew up on a farm. Cows are his favorite animal, and he sees plenty of them working at Surface Creek Veterinary Center. His favorite part of working here is, no surprise, working with the cows. He also builds the fences, irrigates the property, and tends to the honey bees and the secret garden. He’s an integral part of the team, and we so appreciate his help. If you’ve got any cows that need a vet, you can rest assured they’ll be in safe hands with Larry helping.
Now, after tireless days of guarding his street, Kupata has his own doghouse provided by the city with an accompanying star
on the road with his name on it. Kupata’s dedication made him go viral on social media, and now travelers from all over the world come to see Kupata. Don’t distract him, though. He’s busy at work! Sadly, even though Kupata remains cherished by his community, thousands of stray dogs in the country need shelter, food, and companionship. According to activists, around 500,000 stray dogs and cats roam the streets of Georgia. While stray animals may get a bad reputation for being dangerous or unfriendly, Kupata proves that even these furry friends deserve love and recognition.
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