Tucker the Weird Dawg, R.I.P.

Tucker left us this morning about 8:45, a victim of too few red blood cells, or perhaps too many white ones. You know that he was the best dawg in the whole world, as all of our dogs are to all of us. He was good to me in my last time of need, and I tried to be good to him in his. I left home this morning with a dawg and returned home with just a collar. It hurts.

His last days were not good, but he was as comfortable as he could be made. He was treated with love and respect, and given all the love (and treats) that he could stand. He has had all the love he could stand for the last five years, if not all the treats. He was a rescue dog, and there was no way to know how bad his first years had been. Therefore, we always erred on the side of love.

The vet and his staff were wonderful this morning. They have a room for this sort of thing, called the Quiet Room, with a thickly padded vinyl mat covering most of the floor, partially covered by a large towel. All of the necessary arrangements were handled in advance. Tucker was carried out of the room and catheterized, then carried back in. The vet and I petted him, and spoke quietly to him. I gave him one last treat and nodded to the vet, who injected an overdose of anesthetic, then backed away. I was holding his head and petting him gently about sixty seconds later, when the vet pronounced him dead.

I am typing this through tears that will not stop yet, even though I know I did the right thing. He was beginning to suffer, and he did not deserve that. He deserved only the best, and I hope that he felt he got it during his years in our home.

Long live Tucker the Weird Dawg.


Comments

Tucker the Weird Dawg, R.I.P. — 26 Comments

  1. So sorry to hear that Tucker has left for the Rainbow Bridge. It sounds like you & Tucker were fortunate to have found each other and brought a lot of happiness to each other. Gentle thoughts & higs to you.

  2. I’m so sorry for the loss of your buddy and companion, sweet sweet Tucker. He may have been a weird dawg, but he was a good one, and I know he loved you very much. You cared for him as much as any dawg could wish for and he was lucky to have had you.

    Rest knowing that you loved him through his last days and kept him from suffering.

    ((many hugs))

  3. So sorry for your loss…springer rescue sends you our deepest sympathy…and our deep appreciation for all you did for tucker…may his spirt live on…

  4. I know how much this hurts; I lost my beloved Slim in December and felt like I’d lost not only my best friend, but an actual body part.

    Tucker knew he was loved, just like my Slim did. Try to take comfort from that if you can.

    *hugs*

  5. *tears* I know nothing eases your pain or sense of loss right now sweet man. I won’t pretend to believe anything I say could do that. I just want you to know, you are loved, being held in my heart and deeply admired for not only sharing your life with Tucker, but in turn sharing snippets of both of you with me.

    Sleep Sweetly Tucker Dawg. You will be missed, but we here will keep an eye on your daddy!!!

  6. Oh, Frawg. I am so sorry to hear this. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.

  7. So sorry to learn that Tucker passed, but his final days were handled with such dignity and care that there’s some consolation to be had from knowing that he knew he was loved until the very end.

    My very best wishes, Michael, in getting through this tough time.

    If there’s an animal charity you support, let us know, and we can make a donation in your name and Tucker’s.

  8. Speaking my part to share in the love and loss for our beloved pets. I grieve with you…
    Our pets remind us of being human and mortal! And that… love goes beyond species. Tucker will be missed terribly. My heart goes out to you and to all pet lovers-owners who’ve loved and lost.

    We get crushed repeatedly as we go through life with many a loss of animal companions, but we continue to care for them nonetheless. May we remember not the loss of their life, but the joy they bring to ours!

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  10. Frawg:

    When it’s time, it’s time.

    It was time.

    It doesn’t make it any easier.

    Tucker new you loved him and knew you cared for him. The sorrow and hurt and emptiness you must feel are all part of the process and there is not a single thing wrong with that. They’re all natural parts of the process when saying goodbye to a dear, dear friend who has brought you great joy and companionship.

    Rupe grieves with you and offers a smile knowing Tucker The Weird Dawg was all the better for you coming into his life.

    Remember the Rainbow Bridge.

    Condolences …………. Ruprecht

  11. i just don’t have the right words. all i can say is i am so glad that you rescued dear Tucker and gave him these five good years, and that you had the generosity of spirit to let him go before he suffered too much.

  12. Michael, I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a pet, a friend, a member of the family. Hopefully there is solace in the knowlege that he is not suffering any longer.

    My goes out to you. *hugs*

  13. I am so sorry of your loss of your dear Tucker. His story has touched many of us deeply. As an active member with English Springer Rescue America, I can attest to the fact that we hope all adopters are as loving and caring as you were to Tucker, and that all Springers have a life they they could only dream of. Rest in peace sweet boy… rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to you Kermit.

  14. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your loving friend, Tucker. Losing my beloved Rocko was one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to go through… I understand the pain & grief.

    Lucky for Tucker to have had you in his life the past 5yrs, and you him. You enriched his life, as he enriched yours.

    ((hugs))

  15. Tucker has been a part of your on-line presence from the very beginning. I first knew him on the Elk County Forum and now on Plurk. He has been a part of you, Frawg, and will be missed by all of us.

  16. Oh Frawg. Oh Tucker. *tears* I’m so, so sorry. Please, let us know where we can donate.

  17. My deepest condolences to you Michael. My heart is heavy at this news. I cannot imagine how much heavier yours is….

  18. Hugs are not enough. In the short time that I’ve known you and, through you, Tucker, I’ve come to think of you both as friends. This brought tears to my eyes, both for Tucker and for you. Death is never easy, especially for someone (and, to me, as I’m certain he always will be to you) you love, cared for, and was a constant companion. My thoughts have been with the both of you for the last few days as they will continue to be so. If there’s anything I can do for you during this hard time – be a shoulder, lend an ear, whatever – just let me know.

    You know something, KDFrag: You gave me the best gift out of all the gifts I got at the party. You did what was right, important, showed love, respect, honor, and loyalty – not to mention comfort for someone else. That makes it greater than any little thing I got because it came from your heart and went somewhere where it served a greater good.

    This is a very short reason why you’re an awesome person in my book.

  19. Tucker was a lucky dog to have you by his side. Glad you had such a sweet dog and now he’s finally resting in a special place free from suffering and pain. ((hugs)) Long Live Tucker!

  20. Mike, I’m usually not very emotional, but hearing of this makes me sad. I am thankful for the fact that Tucker had you for his friend. I believe it was meant to be for you two to have been together. Many smiles, and some tears, were shared by all of us. Thank you for letting Tucker be a part of our lives. My prayers go out for you and for Tucker.

  21. still missing Tucker and hope you have only good memories. You were a strong, loving friend to him always and especially in the end. ((hugs))

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