And Tucker Too... OT - Good bye to a great dog

[andtckrtoo]

My screen name is Andtckrtoo - which is actually short for And Tucker Too. A name I came up with when I was training my Australian Shepherd, Tucker, for Search and Rescue. He was so eager to learn his craft and excelled at it. Unfortunately, time was short for me and we had to stop, but he cheerfully took on the "job" of chasing squirrels out of the backyard and being my running companion. He was the smartest, sweetest dog I have ever known. As long as I was smart enough to be able to tell him in a way he could understand what I wanted, he did it. No questions asked. One time I dropped a water bottle out of the car when he was greeting me. I said off the cuff, "Tuckee, go get that water bottle and bring it back to me." He did. I was shocked. He watched as I worked out in the morning and wiggled (Aussie's have no tails) when I needed encouragement and when I was done and stretching, he came over to lick me and be pet. He never met a person he did not love and adore. His joy in life was being with people and chasing a ball. Next week, the 27th of March would have been his 5th birthday.

Would have been because he was hit by a car speeding through our neighborhood and killed. I simply cannot imagine my life without his grin and wiggle. My neighbors said, "What if it had been a child?" And I understand what they mean, but he was like a child to me. I am so upset about this. I just had to share the short life of this incredible dog with you. He will be missed so much. His life was way too short... Thanks for reading.

Tucker

http://files.dogster.com/pix/dogs/58/224658/224658_1132421584.jpg

 

[luvmylabs]

RE: And Tucker Too...

{{{Christine}}}

Tucker was beautiful. I am sorry about what happened to him. God bless him. I understand about loving your dogs like children. I too love my dogs like children!! You will always have a special place in your heart for Tucker. Thank you for sharing his sweet story with us.

 

[singinggoddess]

RE: And Tucker Too...

Christine,
I am so so very sorry for what happened to your sweet beautiful dog. I can't imagine how you must feel right now. I will be thinking about you. Again, I am so sorry for your incredible loss.

Your cheetah friend,

Susan

 

[seeking_guns]

Christine,

I'm so sorry Tucker was taken from you too soon...He sounds like a wonderful companion.

Did the driver stop?

~Cathy

 

[buffettgirl]

Oh Christine, I'm so sorry for your loss. Tucker may not have been a child, but he was a member of your family. My deepest sympathy.

 

[pixie9]

Oh NO!! I'm so soo soooo sorry for your loss! What a cute, sweet dog. His face looks so kind and smart in your picture! I don't have much to say except that (of course) I'm crying for your puppy right now

Carolyn

 

[bceogirl]

Oh Christine,

Tears here too for Tucker and for you. I lost my little guy last year and still miss him so much.

What you wrote is beautiful. His picture shows a beautiful,sweet, eager to please friend. I know you'll miss him terribly. but you do have wonderful memories.

hugs,

 

[JAFitMama]

Christine-

I am so very sorry for the untimely passing of Tucker.

I understand the pain, My Bella Gato was killed the same way in Sept 04'. We love our pets as family and we grieve when they pass.


Judy "Likes2bfit"


If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.

 

[obrn]

Christine
So sorry for your loss. The loss of a beloved pet is hard to understand for people who don't have that relationship.
Tucker was a beautiful dog, brilliant and loving. It's especially difficult because he had many more good years left in him.
It will eventually hurt less, but the ache never goes away. Luckily, neither do the wonderful memories.
((((Christine))))
Valerie

 

[JT]

Christine.
Sorry for your great loss. And, thank you for telling us about a great dog. Take good care of yourself and allow yourself to greive.

 

[delfin]

Reading this truly brought a tear to my eye... I hate hearing about the loss of a beloved pet, especially one so young and so good.

I'm so sorry for your loss...sending healing vibes your way...

 

[fit_fairy]

Christine, my heart goes out to you and your family right now!! I just don't understand for the life of me why people don't slow down. Esp in residential neighborhoods. Sending you big HUGS!!

Catherine http://www.smileyhut.com/silly/arrowhead.gif

 

[Mckmain]

Christine....having met this beautiful dog, I am in tears. I am so sorry for your loss. I know the pain of loosing animals and yes, they do become such a loving part of the family. I am really at a loss for words as I am so shocked....my thoughts and prayers are with you Christine and I am sending {{{{{HUGS}}}}}....

 

[cecil]

Christine,

I am so sorry for your loss-I have you in my thoughts and prayers again I am so very sorry.

Lisa

 

[Beavs]

Your post brought tears to my eyes. I am so sorry you lost your fuzzy friend. It is true that your animals are indeed your family and their loss is always so painful. I'm glad you and Tucker could be a part of each others lives.

 

[nancy324]

Oh, Christine! When did this happen? Just this week?? I am SOOOO sorry. He sounds like the most wonderful dog ever! When I saw the title, I assumed he had died of old age. How tragic that his life was cut short so prematurely! I am so very sorry for your terrible loss.
Nancy

 

[MissL]

((((((((Hugs)))))))) Christine, I am so sorry for your loss--such a shock for you and your family. I am in tears after reading your post, and I know you are just heartbroken. I completely understand that to you it was like losing a child. I am so very sorry and will add you and your family to my prayers, as I know this is a difficult time for you.

MissL

 

[TeTe]

Christine,

So very sad. Lots of {{{hugs}}}}}. As hard as it is to lose a pet, to lose one so young to such an unexpected tragedy must be twice as hard.

I am so very sorry. Tucker sounds like a real sweetie...and I'm sure he knew how much he was loved and respected by you and your family.

My thoughts are with you.

 

[allwildgirl]

Oh, Christine, I'm SO sorry to hear your sad news. Tucker is a beautiful boy and so obviously love and cherished.

I'm sending lots of hugs.

 

[andtckrtoo]

Thanks for your support everyone. I sincerely appreciate it. Tucker died last night. We're still in shock. I slept very little last night, as you can imagine. He died in my DH's arms on the way to the emergency vet, so we still have his body with us (we're planning on having him creamated today and to bury the ashes in the back yard by the memorial to my mom.)

I know he sounds too good to be true, be he was honestly one of a kind. The entire neighborhood came by last night once they heard what had happened. We had what turned into a little wake around his body (his injuries are all internal - he looks fine, which makes it even harder - I keep expecting him to raise his head and grin at me). Everyone had wonderful memories to tell about him. He was just that kind of being. I am reminded of the saying, "God calls his favorites back early".

We had been playing ball - we usually throw it to the grass, but he nosed it into the street (which is normally fine - speed limit is 25 and the roads are wide) but the woman (who is in her 40's - not a teenager) was on the cell phone and didn't even hit her brakes. We do have kids who play in the neighborhood and sometimes chase balls into the road. This is tragic enough, I just can't imagine what might have happened. As it is, she killed a wonderful friend.