Merry Hissmas

Tucker never did like me.

Old Man Lips

Tucker, my love, crossed the rainbow bridge last night. On his way there, his sister was by his side, licking his face, making sure he looked good to meet his maker.

Oh Tucker my love, your kisses will never be fortgotten.

Betcha Can't Do This.

Tucker is not only handsome, he's talented!

Don't Be Afraid

Don't be afraid Tucker. You'll never be alone. Your human parents and the doctor will be there, to make your transition an easy one.
When you see the light, go to it. I already talked to my friends: Max, Rigger, One Spot, Lady, Aunt Sue, Lucy, Charlie, Napoleon, Clue, and so many others. They will be there to meet you and show you around on the other side. Soon you will be running and playing like the lunatic I knew you as in your healthier days. You'll be happy, and you can watch over us. Send your Mom a new doggie to love and take care of.
We will never forget you Tucker. But no one wants to see you suffer any more. So go now, and don't be afraid. You will never be alone, and you will always be in our hearts. Until we meet again...Safe travels!

FYI: Tucker update!

Tucker is loved by many. Many of whom never actually met him, except through this blog. I am often asked how he is doing.
Tucker is doing great! He's slow, and tired. But he is the happiest dog.



Long live Tucker!

Two Emergencies, One Day

It was a two emergency day. Like one isn't enough.

Tucker, my beloved golden, got a stick stuck...in his mouth.
I noticed he was having trouble because he kept trying to chew on something, and it was clearly making him uncomfortable. He tried to drink, but even that wasn't successful.
i did what came natural to the former dental assistant in me. I opened his mouth, and had a good look.
this is when i saw this:

The stick in the picture is about as thick as a pencil, and about an inch and a half long, and it was lodged across the roof of his mouth, held in by his teeth on either side.
I tried to remove it, but that's not a safe place for a hand.
The vet saw us immediately and removed the offending piece of wood with a good yank and a pair of forceps.
(Note that the photo shows the piece of wood next to the LARGE size of MilkBone, purely for size comparison.)

Emergency two began with a phone call, from an upset client who couldn't find her cat.
I went over to her house, and we searched for over 30 minutes, to no avail. Ghost cat has struck!
Two hours later the client called, relieved to tell me her ghost cat finally came out of hiding!
I KNEW he was there all along, just hiding well in stealth mode.

Tucker's Big Adventures

A week ago, Tucker's family took him up north for a weekend in the country. He's too sick to participate with all the hiking and swimming and fun times he would have there in prior years. He is tired, and he can't walk any distances anymore past a few feet at a time.
The family thought it was safe to leave him out in the yard, while they went out for a hike. When they returned, he was gone. He wondered off property, until one of the neighbors took him in.
This past weekend, Tucker was left in the yard while the owner went out for an errand. Again, Tucker wondered off property for yet a second big adventure. This time he ended up in the local pet shelter, and was retrieved later that day.

I think the whole thing mad him feel young again.




Photo is of a painting of Tucker, by my friend, Oscar Maldonada.

The New Tent

Too much rain. Tucker got a new tent. Today we got a break and actually got to see some sun, and Tucker got to try his tent out. I think he liked it.

But then he also likes the tent that the Gods have created for him, from the natural brush.

Boys will be Dirty!

Tucker pretty much lives outside these days.

The weather has been rotten. It's been rainy and overcast. Tucker doesn't like the thunder. Dogs have a way of feeling it before it happens.
This afternoon, he followed me into the house, went right up the stairs, because using the ramp that was installed for him would have taken too much time. It surprised me to see him using the steps, it surprised me more to see he actually wanted IN the house.
I like to see Tucker surprising me so. Every little surprise means it's not his time to leave us yet.
Go Tucker! Go!
(Just not to the light.)

T & T

Tucker and Toby, enjoying the beautiful weather, and the company of each other.

Tucker's Tent

Tucker's cancer is progressing so much, that he spends most of his days sitting in the cool grass. He remains happy, and for the most part, I believe he is not in too much pain. Discomfort, yes, but pain--no.



Once he gets comfortable, he'll stay there all day. We built a tent for him to keep him out of the rain. We made due with what we had available: lawn chairs, holding up a closed step stool, covered with lots of plastic garbage bags.



His days are limited. He's happy outside. We like to cater to him in his final days.
That, and the fact that he's too big of a dog to really force him to do anything that he really doesn't want.

Tucker, So Far

So far, so good.
He remains happy, and walks with a limp.
And he's cute as hell.

Letter to Tucker

Tucker, you silly goose!
Thanks for all the years of laughs you have given me!
Your stubbornness really makes me laugh! When I walk you, and you decide you want to go a different way than I was planning--I love the way you stop and sit, almost close your eyes, and raise your eyebrows.
I love how excited you get on our walks and you notice a new holiday decoration in a yard we are passing, and you instinctively want to make friends with it.
I love that you always have a gift to offer me when i arrive to take you for our walk. All the pillows, especially, as they indicate that you are concerned with my comfort level.
Thanks for protecting me from those men in blue, that were really there to rescue me from your bathroom the time i got locked inside. (That whole incident is one of my very favorite dog walking stories!)
Thanks for always having a smile for me, even on those days I didn't really feel like smiling.
Thanks for shaking my hand every time I asked. I knew you could do it, I just liked to make you work for your treats! ;-)
Thanks for always taking me in different directions, so we could explore the neighborhood and never get bored.
Thanks for loving me during those times I didn't feel too loved.
Thanks for being a song in my heart, I will never forget.

I know you have to go soon, and I wanted to thank you for all your friendship and love and happiness you have given me over the years. I wish you the most painless journey to the other side of that rainbow bridge, and I hope that you will wait for me to cross over.

Thanks for everything! I LOVE YOU.

Today's Gift

Tucker brought me a shoe.
He likes giving me gifts.
And why not? I'm a nice lady!

Gettin' Better All The Time

I know Tucker is feeling better when he brings me a gift.
Usually i get a pillow.
Yesterday I got a sneaker.
It was big like a boat, and would probably fit my clown-sized feet, but there was only one of them, and I need two.
Maybe today I'll get the other shoe.

After a Visit to the Doctor

I think Tucker's feeling a little better.
More tests need to be done, but he got a shot, and is not as bad as he was yesterday.
Let's hope he continues to feel better, and lives a long and healthy life!

Long Live Tucker!

It's About Tucker

I've been worried about him.



He's getting on in age, and arthritis is setting in. He is having trouble walking, and he is avoiding the cold, damp weather.
Yesterday, in the snow storm, he wanted to just lay down in it. He looked so sad, he looked like he was just saying "Leave me here to die, Lady."

Feel better soon, Tucker! You are loved by everyone who knows you!

Got Snow?

Dogs just wanna have fun.



Moose likes making snow angels.



Cruz loves it, period.



Dante loves the interesting smells.



Snoop was just made for this kind of weather.

First Day of School -- 7:30 - 8:30 am

7:30 am. I had to get a kid off to school. Sorry, no photos of the kid, so here's a photo of Tucker.

8:00 am. Molly and Tucker get an unscheduled walk.

Because emergencies happen.

First Day of School -- 3:00-4:30pm

3:00 pm Browser and Thomas go for their walk.



3:30 pm. Bad Tucker and Molly.

I had to become a housecleaner for a change.
Afterwards I became a babysitter and fed the [human] infant while mom had a few things to do around the house. I really enjoyed sitting with the baby after a long day with the dogs.