Spring 2018 THE NEW BARKER 33 www.TheNewBarker.com Nerina, Daniel and Cooper have lived in Dunedin for three years. Cooper is the couple’s six-year-old Basset Hound/ Retriever mix they adopted from the Humane Society Naples. For many couples, making the decision to add a dog to the family brings more love to their relationship. It also highlights what they’re capable of doing together. Daniel knew he wanted Cooper to be part of his proposal to ask Nerina to marry him.They both had always admired the many mutt murals displayed throughout downtown Dunedin during their walks with Cooper.When Daniel came up with a plan to link one of the murals with their engagement, he secretly contacted mural artist,Anna Hamilton. She painted Cooper’s likeness on a wall outside a Dunedin business, Coastal Properties. In the portrait, Cooper sported a bandana that read,“Will you marry me?” Painted near Cooper’s paws was the ring in its blue box.The day of their engagement went exactly as Daniel had hoped. He had Nerina and Cooper walk past the painting, which Anna completed just two days prior.As soon as Nerina noticed the painting, Daniel got on one knee to give her the ring. Nerina is very close to her family, so Daniel made arrangements to have her parents, sister and brother-in-law in on the surprise as well. By the way, Nerina said yes. • • • • • MENTION THE NEW BARKER AND SAVE 15% Cole, our store dog PET BOUTIQUE & GIFT SHOP S Wher • n e m e l p p u s & S t a e r , T s d o o c F i t s i l o H • g a D T g & I n i d d e B , s r e i r r a , C s r e l l o r t S t T S Itch To Sho Scratch Thei e Wher ers v o t L Dog & Ca . s t . s op r W B E E N H N T O I T N E M P , Dade City enue v 846 Meridian A 7 3 .9622 7 2.46 5 3 ts ca dog.mania. om/ /dog.mania. c ebook. ac f . w w w • , s k c o l , C t r , A y r l e w e c J i f i c e p d S e e r B . e r o s & M r e k c i t , S s e n i r u g i F • . es i r o s es c c A & l e r Appa • o t o h m P o r e f d a s M t f i d G e z i l a n o s r e P % 5 E 1 V A AV D S N R A E K R A W B O H T S F I E & G U Q I T U O T B E P . s o Dog Fits Perfectly Into Wedding Proposal. U –by Heather Schulman