Tucker and Bodi's picture on his last morning
With a heavy heart and deep sorrow we have to say that we have lost our best friend for the last 12 years, Tucker.
It came much, much faster then we could ever imagine and has thrown us for a big loop. In three days we went from playing out in the hills with Tucker, to Tucker losing his appetite, getting foggy in his actions, to finding out that he is sicker then even his Vet could imagine.
Our normal Vet couldn’t figure out exactly what was happening, but luckily our good friend and partner, who is a Vet, quickly made a decision that made sure that Tucker would be able to leave this life without any undue suffering. So, please – if any of you are going through something similar, please don’t be afraid to ask a second opinion, it could make a big difference in the outcome of your best friends life.
It was one of the easiest decisions that we have ever made, to allow Tucker to not suffer after we heard the bad news, and it has been one of the hardest things we have ever had to do, to not see him running around the house, to not have him set his front paws on the sofa and wait for us to help him up, to know that he wont be sliding up next to us in bed and waiting for us to scratch his head.
Tucker - Hard at work in the office
Luckily we can remember all of the good times that we had with Tucker, and how close he and Bodi had become since we surprised him and brought Bodi home. Bodi knew something was up, he had been more careful then ever over the last few weeks, sleeping close to Tucker, and Tucker had become even more tolerant with Bodi, allowing Bodi to lay his head across his back and coming over to sleep next to him on the sofa. Tucker and Bodi had become each others protectors, Bodi was there to check Tucker out every time that he slipped and fell, every time that he hurt himself while playing, and Tucker was there every time that Bodi got in trouble, which is quite often, (but luckily he is never too badly in trouble).
So, we can be thankful that Tucker picked us out all those years ago, joined us on this journey, never lost his love for us, always had our love for him, and was able to leave us peacefully, painlessly, and with the joy in his heart that he will see us again. Tucker can rest peacefully knowing that his dear friend Bodi can help fill that incredibly large hole in all of our hearts, and that he touched many peoples lives through his completely unconditional love for us and our life.
Thanks to all who have been there for us, to Tiara for allowing us to start this journey with this incredible dog, and to Dr. Berry for allowing us to let Tucker go with dignity and love.
11 Responses
Hi Jim and Nancy-
I am Brian’s friend, Shannon (mommy to Zoe, Stella, and Lola). I just want you to know, from one doggie parent to another, both of you, and Tucker and Bodi, were included in our puppy prayers the last 2 nights. I shared Tucker’s story with my girls and we prayed that Tucker will watch over you from doggie heaven. Just know that people and doggies you have never even met are thinking of you now and keeping you close in our hearts.
-Shannon
Dear Shannon,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and your feelings with us on our blog! And thank you for your prayers, we sure do need them at this time.
We saw Brian this morning… out on the trail (as we are trying to get some sort of normalcy back in our lives… even though it’s only been 3 days)! We know that we need to focus on Bodi now, and just “continue” the love we shared with Tuck and that we will now share with Bodi.
Brain always speaks very highly of you… and he says that you are a sweetheart! I can see that… just from the wonderful words you wrote here!
Please keep tuning in as we will continue sharing with all of our “puppy” friends, just how wonderful it is to have had a “Tucker” in our lives, and now a “Bodi”, and a Sterling, a Gracie, a Zoe, Stella and Lola, and so on!!
Thank you Shannon!
Nancy
Nancy and Jim
We understand and feel bad
I talked to Jack Wayne and Wallace
we will miss our Buddy Tucker
Thank you Rick, Jackie, Wayne and Wallace. Tucker loved you all so much and always enjoyed having you guys come over to “his” house and visit!
I didn’t know Tucker but I feel your pain on losing your dog, especially as it’s a Vizsla. I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope that happy memories of him will soon crowd out and replace your sorrow.
Sylvia Dorosh
Varazs Perm. Reg’d Vizslas
http://www.varazs.org
http://varazsvizslas.blogspot.com/
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our 4-legged kids just are not with us long enough. The love and laughter they give us just amazes me. God bless you and your family at this difficult time.
Vizzy hugs & licks to Bodi from Rocket & Delilah.
Peace,
Melissa O.
Dear Melissa, Thank you for your kind words. I do agree with you… our four legged children… should live at least as long as we do! It is not fair! But they teach us so much, in the short amount of time that they are with us. They give us unconditional love, and teach us that, if we as humans, had an ounce of their kindness, compassion and love for others… this world would be a much better place! Many blessings to you and your “family”, Melissa! Nancy
Dear Sylvia, Thank you so very much for your sweet message here. It is such a comfort to us, to have our fellow “dog lovers” reach out to us, during this tough time. I have not yet looked at your website, but I will do so today. My husband and I are “in love” with this breed! The Vizslas are such wonderful dogs (kids to us). As my husband said to me just the other day… we will always have a Vizsla in our lives! Tucker is missed immensely… not a day goes by without shedding some tears and feeling the emptiness in our hearts. I see him everywhere and feel his beautiful soul around us! Thank you again Sylvia, for tuning into our blog and for sharing your Vizsla world too! Nancy
Hello,
Jim just posted on our Facebook page a link to your blog to read about your Bodi and Tucker. This was a beautiful post and brought tears to my eyes. I wanted to share a link with you as well: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=19+1278&aid=644. My brother just lost his dog to cancer 2 weeks ago- which is maybe why this post hit a little close to home as well. It too was something that came on quickly. I sent him this link as well, and it seemed to be a comfort for him. Thank you for finding us on Facebook- and I hope you’ll share more stories with us.
Thank you,
Jackie
Drs. Foster and Smith
Dear Jackie,
Thank you so much for your wonderful message here. Jim just notified me of your comment.
Our sincere condolences to your brother. We are very sorry to hear of his loss too. It is so difficult…. to us, it was like losing a child. The pain is still there, but the healing has begun. And please let your brother know, that he must find comfort in knowing, that our sweet Tucker was there at the rainbow bridge to great his beloved doggie! They will now run and play together, cancer and pain free!
We would welcome a picture of your brother’s dog and if he would like to say a few words, we would gladly post it on our blog, for all of our dog loving people to view. You can email me at nancy@mgforce.com.
Thank you again Jackie.
Take care,
Nancy
Well, two months have gone by, and the pain is still there, the hole is still immense, and the thought of the little guy brings smiles and tears in equal measure.
I un-pinned the notice of his loss today and all the tears came back, the thoughts that all the things that we had wanted to do with Tucker were permanently put on the back burner, that the things that we wanted to share weren’t going to happen.
Luckily Bodi is here now, and the things that we wanted to do with Tuck that we foolishly put off until we had the time, we can now do with him.
And just in case everyone thinks we are nuts to think this way, believe me, the same thoughts about life and how quickly it passes by while you survive the little set backs and try to keep going, all those things count for Nancy and I and we are looking at things a little differently… But, damn, I wish we could have done all of these things with the Tuckman too…