ARCHX U-CDX TUCKABEE RAY OF LIGHT CDX RL3 CGC
DELTA SOCIETY PET PARTNER
8/8/98-9/19/08
"Our Beauty"


Tucker gets his wish .........
It's the least we could do for a dog who was the quintessential perfect dog in our eyes. From day one, he never gave us any problems. He was always obedient, loyal, loving and certainly courageous and brave, likely the bravest dog I will ever know. But most of all, he was a caretaker who had seen our family through so many trials and tribulations. From a young puppy all Tucker ever wanted to do was run like the wind, and that dog had more fun just running around in circles than any dog I'd ever had. He loved to chase, be chased, and most of all loved to fetch a ball over and over again. When he tore his cruciate ligament at a year and a half, his crazy running days were over. Being the cautious mom, I didn't want him to re-injure his leg, or God forbid, injure the other leg which is always compromised after that kind of surgery. So we'd let him run a little bit, here and there, but no more full out sprinting unabashedly. But being the compliant dog he was, Tucker accepted that rule, always sensing the fear in my voice when I'd call for him to stop! So for the past 8 1/2 years Tucker has not been able to do any carefree sprinting but I know he always missed it and longed for the day he'd get to do it again. Today at 5:15pm, Tucker got his wish. We said our goodbyes and helped him pass over the rainbow bridge, releasing him to the heavens where I am sure he is running and playing right now as I type. He has his little green jolly ball in his mouth and is laughing his head off while he runs, jumps and plays like he did as a puppy.

I know this may come as a shock to most of you. About a month ago, Tucker had a relapse of his ruptured disc injury. He woke one morning wobbly and over the next day or so he lost the ability to walk again. We, too were hurt, shocked, and felt betrayed by this occurrence, but tried to remain positive that he'd be able to fight back once again. We didn't want to worry everyone, so kept this information mostly to ourselves. We kind of had to do that for our own sanity. Rehashing it over and over again would have been too hard. So Mike and I would have to carry him outside to eliminate, and hold him up with just our strength since he had none. But we were committed to keep doing so as long as necessary for him to get better. Unfortunately that was not in the cards this time. Over the past few weeks rather than getting stronger, Tucker was growing weaker and weaker and wasting away, his muscles experiencing severe atrophy. Even worse, his gums were growing pale, he was losing the will to eat, and his organs appeared to be failing. I had promised him that I would fight as long as he was willing to and this morning he gave me the clear message, as only a dog who loves you and is connected to you can do, that he was ready to rest.

I know I shall never have another dog like him, and truthfully, I'm okay with that. He was that one in a million dog and boy am I lucky to have had him in my life for 10 years. He was magnificent and majestic and together we were like peas and carrots, a comfortable, dynamic pair. I never felt better and more confident in a competition than when he was by my side. Oh God how I will miss my Beauty. His presence in our lives was just so incredibly strong. Our home will not be the same without him. Pup 'N Iron will not be the same without him, but I am glad that he will be forever immortalized in all that Pup 'N Iron is, from our logo, to all the little white hairs that will linger within our walls forever. I know I will shed many tears. Today my eyes are so swollen I don't know how they will ever return to normal size, but along with the tears I will cherish the memory of all that he was and celebrate the magnificent, majestic dog that will live on in my heart. To Tucker: I love you my beauty. I will miss you forever. I will honor you for the rest of my life. To my friends: All I ask is that each of you who have had the opportunity to meet and know him, please write a good memory you have of him so I can read them over and over again. And when you see me, tell me more good memories of that beautiful, magnificent, majestic dog who now is running with a big smile on his face.

So please join us in the celebration of the life of the dog who was and always will be the inspiration behind Pup 'N Iron and our desire to promote loving, mutually respectful relationships between dogs and their people.  We are so grateful that God allowed us to find him on that little Mennonite farm in Madison County ten years ago.  We shall never, ever forget this magnificent, majestic being who surely is an angel now who we will count on to watch over our family as we continue to go through life on earth.

"Dear Beauty, we will see you again.  And when we do we will play tug, and fetch and you can run til your heart's content.  Wait for us sweet boy at the bridge, we will be there in God's time."
Love always and forever,
Mike, Laurie, Bryan and the rest of the boys

Tucker's 10th Birthday Party