At the time we had 4 cats, and if you want to know what disrupting a household is like – just throw a Vizsla into this mix – Luckily Tuck always loved the cats, only one of them actually came to love Tuck though, but I can’t blame them for that – they’re just stupid cats after all.

Tucker was always willing to learn, and fit right into our life perfectly – we took him everywhere that we could, and he learned to be a big part of things without getting in the way.  To this day we still have people that tell us that he was their favorite dog ever – and some of them have dogs in their lives at the time. Tuck always loved all of our friends and in return they loved him too.

Tucker was the most sensitive soul I ever knew, if Nancy and I raised our voices he would get upset, start to shake and eventually would leave the room to hide out, of course this made it difficult to watch sports, since we would be yelling at the game and suddenly notice that Tucker wasn’t in the room with us, and we would have to go find where he was hiding away from our yelling. The easy thing was that we always knew if there was a problem, because Tuck would never be out of the room that we were in – so, no Tuck, and you knew something was up.

This sensitivity really came into play whenever one of us was hurting, Tucker would become the biggest cuddle monster and would go out of his way to be there for us.  When Nancy went through breast cancer Tucker spent many a day wrapped around her making sure she was OK.  He would walk up and put his nose on your nose and just look into your face, an incredible boy to say the least.

We’ve had our own business for quite a while now, which makes it easy to bring our boys with us, Tucker was always the star of the show… We had clients that we would call to confirm a meeting and they would ask if we were bringing Tucker with us, and would make sure to let us know that if Tucker wasn’t coming, there really wasn’t any reason to meet at that time, and we could wait until Tucker could be present.  The best part is that they would have a chair at the meeting table for Tucker so that he could crawl up in the chair and crash out while we conducted our meeting.

The memories stream back quickly, too quickly at times as they bring tears with them.  The time he was brain-cramping and hit his leg on a hidden rock – we thought he had broken it – he just stood there holding it up and crying for us… The time he was doing his brush surfing (hopping through the deep brush so he could see above it) and we watched him jump up and then disappear as he went over the edge of a ravine and landed in the creek about 15 feet below, we had to hang over the edge and pull his wet butt back up to the trail… Coming home one time after leaving him inside for about 12 hours (we got stuck somewhere) and finding a little bit of pee tinkled throughout the house as Tucker ran from the back door, to the kitchen door, to the front door, up the stairs – everywhere, trying to find any way out, finally ending up in the upstairs bathroom where he finally releaved himself on the tile (We felt so bad for that one, he tried so hard to find a way out!!!)…

I think of all of the nicknames we had for our guy, I could go on about the Tucker forever, but we have to save those for another time.

Tonight I will raise a toast (and please, everyone reading this, do the same) to the dog that really thought he was human, to the dog that taught us about true commitment and love, to the one and only “T”…

These Pics (except the one with Nancy) were all taken the last morning that we had Tucker, they are tough to see at times, everything comes flying back – but they are the last ones we got and will always show that even on his last day he was the most gentle soul possible.

Tucker and Rowdy... Beautiful

Tucker and Rowdy… brothers, born in 1997… have both moved on to the Rainbow Bridge.  Rowdy crossed the RB in March 2008 and Tucker in August 2009.  Tuck and Rowdy were both from the same litter… Russet Leather Rawhide.

They loved to play together and often displayed that youthful exuberance, exhibiting the famous Vizsla “brain cramps”!  We always thought that they were crazy dogs!  Ha!  That

Playful pups!

they were…

We miss them both very much and wanted to send them love, kisses and many, many blessings!

Enjoy the pics!

Beautiful Boys

Puppy Rottie

Patti & Matt had taken her in, to comfort her.. after losing their 11 year old Rottie, Jessica.  So they have suffered two losses in the past year, plus the loss of Tucker, as they knew Tucker very well.  Tucker and Jessica had been good friends for many years!  My love goes out to Patti and Matt.. “I love you both… and take comfort in knowing that Jill is with Jessica and Tucker right now and they are free and healthy!

To Streak’s parents, Andrea & Rob… we all feel the pain of your loss and we do know what

Beautiful Streak

you are going through right now.  Please accept this post as our tribute to Streak (as well as Jill) and to you guys and Magnum as well.  The love of our dogs is endless… endless.  That love will go on forever, trust me.  I still feel Tucker’s presence here, very strongly.  Tuck has been gone for 10 months now and  I know that he is still with us, in our hearts and will be forever.  I know that you cannot reach out and touch Streak, but know that in your hearts, he is with you and will be forever.  Streak is no longer in pain and no longer suffering… and HE knows that you did all that you could do for the little guy.  Let his love carry you through… and let the love of Magnum embrace your soul and keep you safe.

Tucker's Urn... "If Tears Could Build a Stairway, and Memories a Lane, I Would Walk Right Up to Heaven, and Bring You Back Again".

The love of our dogs will go on forever… Please, as you read this post, I know that it will bring tears to your eyes, but also, let the love and comfort of your friends warm your hearts and get you through…

This is the saying that is etched on Tucker’s urn… “If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I would walk right up to heaven, and bring you back again”.   I know that this is how you feel about Streak (and to Patti and Matt, how you feel about Jill and Jessica).

God bless you all… and know that we are here for you!

With love,

Jim, Nancy, Bodi & Oliver Morrison

Our Sweet Little Tucker

Today marks the date of Tucker’s 13th birthday.  We lost the little guy, all too soon.  His passing has had such an incredible impact on us… and has  left an emptiness in our hearts and in our lives that is just unbelievable.

I just wanted to put a little something up today, in remembrance, of our  little Tuckie’s birthday… we miss you sweet baby Tuck!!

Beautiful Tucker

I just wanted to write a little something… in honor of Tucker.  Today marks the 6 month anniversary of Tucker’s passing.  I am still so very sad.. to this day.  I miss our little guy so much and it still hurts as if it we had just lost him yesterday.

They say that time heals all wounds… and I know that eventually, this wound will heal.  But right now, I still feel that… the longer he is gone, the more I miss him.  He was the puppy love of our lives… and we had such an incredible bond with this dog!

Tucker... sweet, happy dog!

Tucker was the epitome of love, caring, sweetness, affection… I could go on and on.  Yes… “caring”! Most people would not describe their dogs or pets as “caring”.  But Tucker truly cared for everyone.  He had such a love of live, his family and friends.  He worried so much about all of us.  He was… “Mr. Sensitive”!  God… how I miss that!  How I miss every part and everything about Tucker.

He touched many, many lives.  When people came over, he was so excited and so thrilled to have visitors!  He loved all of his doggie friends.  He watched out for all of them… especially in his later years.  He felt the need to keep things calm… whenever there were any “issues” amongst his friends.  And they all respected that… they all respected Tucker.  It was beautiful to see this.

To Tuck:  As I write this post… the tears welling up in my eyes… I am thinking about you, sweet Tucker, and sending my love to you in heaven.  I look forward to seeing your beautiful face, when it is time to meet at the Rainbow Bridge!  I love you, I miss you and I will always cherish you and the wonderful life that you gave us while you were here on earth.  Miss you sweet Tuck… sending you kisses right now!!

Who's that good looking puppy?!!

And…  I hope that you are having the time of your (after) life with Rowdy, Ritzie, Vixen, Jessica, Marley and Brandy!!  Oh… and the cats too, Arthur, Lumpy, Sammy & Sylvester!  Hope you are not terrorizing the cats too much!

May God rest your sweet, beautiful soul.

Love,

Mommy, Daddy & Bodi

Always fun to explain why there is a bra in the living room, or panties in the kitchen, never dull, but always interesting.

We would play with him after he started to show his little “fetish”, we would hook the bra over his head with the cups looking like ear-muffs – all in fun, but I’m sure Tucker was thinking… What the hell, I bring this in here just to lay with it, and they try to embarrass me.

Of course, Bodi picked up the same little fetish, carrying Nancy’s underwear out to the window-seat, just to lay on it and go to sleep. But Bodi will pick up shoes, socks, he’ll walk right by you and grab something out of the hamper and go lay down on top of it, you can’t get mad – all you can do is laugh at him and try to teach him not to do it.

I’m sure other puppies have the same quirks, and other people have to figure out how to explain things to their friends and family members.  Our little companions love to embarrass us in these ways – and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

"Hi mommy... I noticed that you are sitting here alone... with your plate of food. I think I'll join you."

Tucker LOVED food!  Almost as much as he loved us

"Just what do you have on your plate? And... is it something that I might be interested in?"

Here I am, sitting on the stairs, eating some apple pie… and along comes Tucker!  “Gee mom… looks like you’ve got enough on your plate… for both of us!  Would you care to share with me?  I’ve been a very good boy and probably deserve a little treat”.

"Mommy... you are the best"!!!!!

“Okay Tuck… just one little bite of apple pie for you… but it will cost you.   How about a little kiss for mom?”!!!

Love and miss my little guy!!

Bodi with his first Christmas tree with us

This was Bodi’s first trip to the Christmas Tree Farm (with us)… a tradition that we had shared with Tucker for 12 blissful years! It was emotional.. to say the least.. as we had always had the Tuckman with us.

As we pulled into the tree farm parking lot… an overwhelming feeling of joy and warmth and happiness as well as sorrow and sadness had filled us both. As the tears began to well up in our eyes, I said to Jim… “I can just see Tucker, running through the Christmas trees.. helping us in our quest to find the perfect tree”!

Our little Bodi was thrilled to be a part of this tradition! He had a blast at the Christmas tree farm.. and didn’t pee on any trees!!

Bodi and Daddy and the Christmas tree

As you can see… Bodi O thoroughly enjoyed posing with his Daddy. So proud of that Christmas tree …that would soon be home, all decorated and filled with presents for Bodi!! Life is good!

What a happy (and very lucky) puppy this is! Bodi is awesome and we feel very fortunate to have him in our lives. He is now a huge part of everything we do.

Mommy and Tucker, Christmas 2008

This time of year… is a time to reflect.. and a time to celebrate the good in our lives. And it is a time to be so very thankful for what we have today… including sweet memories of a loved one lost. Even though that loved one has left this life, their sweet, beautiful soul will remain in our hearts forever!

Recently I pulled the CD out and took a look at the pictures again – it brings equal doses of laughter and tears as I think of the times we spent at Rick’s with Tucker, the way he loved to run through the studio to say hi to everyone – the way he’d go up to greet the models, even when they were in a state of undress, and most surprised by a typical Vizsla “cold nose” greeting. When there were children getting shots in the studio, they would play with Tucker and he would always put up with their playing, at least for a little while.

These shots are just a small sample and feature Nancy and Tucker in a more personal setting.

Tucker obviously enjoying the modeling, is putting up with a little hi-fiving, sure that a treat will be offered for him doing his neat little trick.

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After doing his trick, Tucker decides that a treat must be near and pushing his cold wet nose in to find the treat that is obviously being held back, Nancy feeling the heat, keeps the treat hidden and tries to get some more poses out of Tuck.

As Tucker gets more insistent, Nancy decides that keeping the treat out of reach would be the best move, seeing the treat being held high so as to keep it away from him, Tucker starts to re-think his decision to be a model, there seems to be a lot of tricks, with very little chance of treats, and then he hears the human models talking about starving themselves to keep a tight body… hearing how models eat, and what they eat, Tucker is worried…

And then, after hearing that to be a model, he must keep a svelte figure, he must eat very little, he must purge whenever he eats too much, he decides that he must get the treat right away… and finally getting the treat – Tucker quickly finds out that it is a veggie treat, and definitely not to his liking…

-

Clearly, Tucker has made a mistake… starving himself, eating veggies all the time, sticking his paw down his throat, he has made a mistake, he was thinking of something else all together… yes, he knows what he really wants to be… a food taster!, that is what he wants to be, a FOOD TASTER must be the best job of all.

-

These have turned out to be some of our favorite pictures with the Tuck-Man and he fell into the part of being our little model for the day. Nancy and I both got our pictures separately with our little guy, and then we, of course, go pictures with the three of us – Tucker was a gem, posing for us and generally putting up with the silliness of sitting indoors and having a flash go off in his face for hours.

Rick has invited us to do a posing with the pup named Bodi-O, and we have to just get our butts over to the studio to get the first of our series of memory makers with Rick and Bodi – like kids, they grow so fast and one day you are looking back and wondering where all the time went.