Tucker
Tucker
-----Original Message-----
From: Ruth Malinas
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2007 10:04 AM
Subject: Our Tucker
I have been corresponding over the past few months with Margo Biba about Tucker,
the Golden we adopted from Gold Ribbon in early 2000 when he was estimated to be
about 4 years old. His Gold Ribbon name was “Clark” but our youngest child
thought he seemed more like a “Tucker.” Tucker was wonderful with adults,
children (especially very small ones), and cats. He settled in quickly and was
the first to run to the door to greet family members when they came home. He had
a great “Golden grin” and was quite a gentleman. He was the first dog our family
had ever had and he convinced us that we would always have one. Even our
housekeeper, Frances, fell in love with him, despite her long-standing fear of
big dogs. This year was a hard one for him. He had been very ill this past March
with a gallbladder infection and melanoma, but seemed to be recovering. The
infection resolved with antibiotics and there was no evidence that the melanoma
(which the vet removed when the infection resolved) had spread. He then started
having trouble getting up in June. The vet diagnosed severe arthritis in his
front legs and paws, probably exacerbated by the immobility caused by his recent
illnesses. This in addition to his long-standing hip dysplasia made every
movement painful. We tried several series of injections to no avail. On July 4
he stopped eating and would only drink small amounts of water. Despite twice
daily pain medication, he could no longer stand, even to go out for “potty
breaks.” We sadly decided on July 6 to take our vet’s advice and let him go so
that he would be out of pain. We also have a Golden mix named Sally that we
adopted from Gold Ribbon 3-4 years ago as a companion for Tucker. I am writing
to let you know that we will be submitting an application for a “brother” for
Sally. She misses Tucker terribly. They had been fast friends. During Tucker’s
last two days, she lay next to him and gently groomed him frequently by licking
his face and head. I have attached a picture of Tucker taken about 1 1/2 years
ago when he was better able to get around. His “vet” in the picture is our 8
year-old granddaughter who had received a “vet kit” as a gift. Below that
picture is one of Sally joining a slumber party our 14-year-old daughter (the
one getting the kiss) was having. We are so grateful to have had seven years
with such a gentle, sweet, giving dog as Tucker.