A community in California has chosen a dog to be their mayor! And who can blame them? Dogs are trustworthy, loyal, and protective. Who wouldn’t want those qualities in a mayor? Well, Copper, the five-year-old Golden Retriever is definitely all of that and more.
Copper officially became the honorary mayor of Copperopolis on September sixth, after 1,800 people cast their votes for him to be the mayor of their unincorporated town. (This means the title is purely ceremonial.) The tiny California town only has a population of 4,300, so a sizable percentage of people showed their support for Copper. And his vice mayor, Jaxson, who is also a dog.
Not only is Copper essentially the town mascot, but he even has his own phone number and ice cream shop! His handsome smiling face adorns the sign, and his presence there always delights the customers. Of course, the shop doesn’t only sell delicious ice cream that’s crafted for people but offers options for their canine companions as well. Often, when Copper visits, a long line forms of fans asking to pose for pictures with the pup.
“People in the town always want to get photos with him. And you can also text him and he’ll respond,” shares Katelyn Nassar about her family dog.
Copper’s dad is Mike Fletcher, a real estate developer who partnered with Tom Hix and acquired quite a bit of land. Their newly acquired acreage encompasses thousands of acres and includes the town square and the 18-hole golf course. They have already begun “transforming the town” and plan to develop over 1,000 homes over the next two decades. Copper is the spokesdog for the development project aimed to rebrand Copperopolis as “Copper Valley, one of California’s best-kept secrets.”
Related: Pet Insurance Plans California
When Copper’s not hosting meet-and-greets, hosting pet costume competitions, or spending time at his ice cream shop, he greets people at the pet-friendly Gateway Hotel that’s located in the town square. The hotel is one of the buildings that was updated when the developers first acquired the acreage. Residents truly enjoy being around Cooper’s relaxed energy and claim it has a calming effect.
“Out of all the dogs we’ve had, he is the most special,” says Copper’s dad, Mike.
If you want to keep up with Copper’s adventures as Mayor of Copperopolis, you can follow him on his social media page, here.
H/T: calaverasenterprise.com
Featured Image: Copper’s Ice Cream and Candy / Facebook
Toledo, United States.
