Tucker’s Story

My sweet boy…..It just doesn’t seem possible that you have left us.  You were only nine years old…just a baby considering that most of our furkids have been with us well into their teens.  And where did this lung cancer come from, striking you so suddenly and fiercely? On July 1 you were playing with the water hose, spraying the water all over the pool deck and chasing your brother, Rusty, around the pool while he was swimming….your favorite pastime. On July 2 you were coughing and a trip to the emergency clinic revealed a tumor and a terminal diagnosis.  You would only live for a short time.  This left all of us in shock. How could this happen to you….to us?   Chemo therapy was the only option but even chemo wouldn’t make the tumor completely disappear.   With the chemo you might have had up to 2 months.  But we had to try and give you a better quality of life, even if it was short.  So we elected to start the chemo treatments.  You received four weekly treatments. The primary tumor did get a little smaller but numerous smaller tumors began to develop. You had no chance to survive this, but you were so brave and tried your best to live your last days happy and content.  You received a special surprise package from the “Crossed Paws” group……a very special group of bloggers. (Click HERE for photos of that day). You loved your new toys, especially the Wubba that you had to have with you all the time.  You were unwilling to share that with even your closest packmates and friends.   And you loved all the treats. The Barbequed Squirrels were your favorite along with the Chicken Jerky. These were the last gifts that you truly enjoyed before the cancer took over two days later.  

You ate your last meal on Saturday and then refused food.  By Tuesday you were beginning to tell us that you were ready to begin your journey to your new life….a life where you would be young and pain-free once again.  A final trip to the oncologist revealed that the tumor was beginning to block your airway and there was no stopping it now.  We had to say goodbye to you on that day.

Tucker, it’s so hard for us without you here…..without that perpetual smile you always seemed to have on your little face and the cute way you always tilted your head when we talked to you as if you were absorbing every word.  As I wake up each morning, I still look for you and you just aren’t here. But I know that you are safe in my heart and the hearts of all who loved you so much.  I can never say “Goodbye” to you.  So I will just say “See You Later” my Little Guy!

This is the last picture taken of Tucker still
clutching his Wubba.  It was taken just before
that final trip to the vet…8/2/11

Tucker’s original story continues below

Tucker is a Jack Russell Terrier.  One of Shelly’s dogs provided stud service for this litter. The puppies were given to her because the owner of the mother decided she didn’t want any puppies after all.

Tucker came to live with us in the fall of 2002.   He had been sold as a young puppy but unfortunately, he didn’t end up in a very good home. Tucker was rescued from an abusive situation.  A type of stress-related mange had set in, and Tucker had virtually no hair and open sores all over his small body.  The vet Shelly took him to didn’t hold out much hope for him, so she brought him to us.  I took him to my vet who put him on medication that he had to take for 6 months.  Tucker also had to go to the vet’s office every 2 weeks for 6 months to be dipped in a solution to control the mange.  After a few months, Tucker’s hair started to grow back and he seemed to be recovering from the trauma he experienced in his first home.  He has become a very happy, well adjusted little guy.

One of Tucker’s favorite pastimes is chasing water as it comes out of the hose or chasing the water as it comes out of the sprinkling system.  Either way, he loves to get wet.  He hasn’t shown any interest in the swimming pool, however.  Maybe that’ll come next.

We rescued Tucker’s littermate, Rusty, in March of 2004.  Tucker and Rusty were separated for 18 months before finally being reunited at my house.   After the first day or two, they started spending a lot of time playing together just as I’m sure they had  played when they were young puppies.  Tucker has never interacted with any of the other dogs the way he does with Rusty.  I really wonder if there isn’t something present that is triggering memories of their younger days together, and that they actually realize that they are brothers.  Time will tell.

In the meantime, I will give them both all the love and attention that they so desperately crave.  They certainly deserve the best life that we can give them.

TUCKER’S FIRST CHRISTMAS –
2002
TUCKER’S HAIR IS ALMOST ALL GROWN IN.
WHAT DID YOU SAY??????
BROTHERLY LOVE AS AMBER &
MAX OBSERVE FROM A SAFE
DISTANCE
TUCKER’S HAIR WAS JUST
STARTING TO GROW BACK
TUCKER DECIDED TO SIT IN THE FOUNTAIN BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO CLEAN IT OUT AFTER A HEAVY RAIN.  HE LOVES WATER, NO MATTER WHERE IT IS.
This photo of Tucker won a spot in the 2010
“Page a Day” calendar, sold world-wide.  It appeared on June 18, 2010.

TUCKER CHASING A BUG
BROTHERS REUNITED AFTER 18 MONTHS

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Click Below To Read April’s Story