I love picking out puppies. The litter surrounds your feet and every single puppy begs you to adopt them. But you connect with just one. On our 5 minute car ride home, the puppy that chose us nestled in and dozed off. We talked about what to name him. I suggested Tucker. It seemed to fit because he was "tuckered out." His AKC registered name was Sir Tucker Reb Tobias. Tucker had many nicknames. Tuck, Tucky, Tuck-Tuck, and I also called him Tucker Two Shoes or T.T.
As he grew, we found that Tucker wasn't shaped like Buster. Tucker was "round like a barrel" as my dad would say. He had short legs and his body was...just...well, it was round like a barrel. He had a big head and a big heart. Even though his legs were short, he could still run fast. Somehow.
Turns out, Buster didn't want a playmate. In fact, Buster hardly wanted anything to do with Tucker at all. He was a grump from the moment he realized that Tucker was staying. Buster was a roamer. He was always walking around the neighborhood (my parents live in the outskirts of town where dogs can roam a little more). I don't think Tucker ever left the yard. He was a homebody.
Tucker knew some tricks. "Show me your nuts!" and he'd roll over onto his back (I did not teach him that trick). He knew how to get the paper from the mailbox. When you were in a hurry to leave the house, you would find that one or both of your shoes were not at the door. Tucker took them and scattered them around the house. But if you showed him the one you wanted, he knew exactly where it was, and he would bring it to you.
He was always nudging you to pet him. If you didn't pet him, he'd nudge you until you did. He greeted you at the door with an invitation for you to scratch his belly. He could snore as loud as my dad. He was gentle and sweet.
He was a bit jealous of Rocket at first, but once he knew Rocket was just a visitor and he'd soon be gone, they got along just fine.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5sO_z2T0Orl7TpDsOBb2qYI4pEyTRCbJgFCg5UU6HWwZAOC_dMbAcJcShHmr9oCKNJYfAXnhyphenhyphenPZlyeiyvBBc7h1ja2qODObUo8SbbauIf0NsR4BVdj4SGOv8Yq7o_C8fD1rtFdNy38w/s200/IMG_1268.jpg)
But he didn't last that long. About a week ago, he started to refuse to eat or drink anything. He had a hard time breathing. He looked sad. It was time. My parents took him to the vet and had him put to sleep. If you've ever seen Marley and Me, you know the scene I'm talking about. I can't imagine living that scene. Knowing you need to be there for your friend, but also knowing it's the end. He's being cremated and will be buried next to Buster at the family farm. I'm sure Buster is real excited about that.
My mom called me on Monday to tell me the news. Of course I was heartbroken because I wasn't expecting it. But who wants to see their pet suffering any more? There was never an angry-at-my-parents phase. I accepted it right away because I knew it had to be done. It will be sad not to see him at my parents' house any more, but we've got our Rocket Dog and my parents have their grandson to spoil now. :D
Now that you've got your spring back, go ahead and annoy Buster for a little while, Tuck. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. I know all good dogs go to Heaven. I hope to see you up there some day (not that I'm not going to Heaven, of course. I just hope we get to reunite with our pets up there).
2 comments:
Such a great tribute to Tucker, if dogs could read he would be so honored!! And now I'm bawling in my living room (and it's not because the Pack are stinking it up right now either :/
My parents had to do the same with Eddy, I can't imagine how your parents were able to make that decision too :( But we WILL be reunited with our pets in heaven, I believe that with all my heart despite what the "experts" claim. A man's best friend HAS to be welcomed into heaven!
Ooh AJ. I'm so sorry to read this, but know that with your family he lived a great life!
I had to laugh that he'll be buried next to Buster. :)
Post a Comment