In Loving Memory Of Tucker
Tucker
Tucker, senior GSP came to us in 2024 after his owner passed away. A family member initially contacted California GSP Rescue after losing their father and being unable to care for his elderly German Shorthaired Pointer. California GSP Rescue offered assistance, but unfortunately, the family never responded. A few days later, California GSP Rescue received notification of a Senior German Shorthaired Pointer in a local shelter that was picked up as a stray. The GSP was Tucker.
Lauri was a previous adopter, adopting Missy, a 14 year old female GSP in May of 2021. Sadly in April 2024 we received the sad news that Missy passed away at the age of 17.
After Missy passed away, Lauri once again reached out to give a senior dog a forever home. We thought Tucker would be perfect for her. She drove a long way to meet this special boy, and adopted him.
During the first 6 months Tucker was at home with Lauri, she sent us some updates.
“He chatters his teeth when he is excited to see food, a walk, or a ride in car to the dog park is in the works. He barks to let me know breakfast (after our morning walk rest period) or dinner time is approaching. He is getting better at standing still for pets and is beaming out his sweetness more and more everyday. He is a handsome boy when he sits for his meal. Balls, not birds or bunnies, are his thing.
I got some pictures of Tucker from a dog sitter and it reminded me I should send a six month update. Unfortunately, the happy nature of the planned update has changed. I took Tucker to the vet today to explore worsening gastrointestinal issues. Tucker has a very large mass in his abdomen. He is now in a palliative care mode. I will take a couple days to see if we can get him able to keep food down. If successful, I will be sure Tucker does some fun things in the weeks he has left.
Tucker and I had just started obedience lessons on Saturday. It was his turn to get extra special attention by himself. As I tell him when he sits for his meals, he is a sweet, handsome man. He was making those ear raise and head turning puppy like moves while listening to sounds at the vet, is still running around in circles and wagging his stubby tail, and goes from pulling hard on his leash to leisurely enjoying the scents in bushes on his walks. And yes, he still loves balls”.
Shortly after the six month update, we received the sad news that Tucker passed away. While their time was far too short together, the life Tucker shared with Lauri and her dog Ellie was nothing short of what we could have hoped for.
We are so grateful to Lauri for repeatedly reaching out to adopt a senior. Rather than focusing on the dogs age, she just wanted to give a senior dog a loving home to live out their years with her. We know what an impact Lauri made on Tucker’s life, and the love and appreciation Lauri received in return from both Missy and Tucker was immeasurable.
“Teri and Greg,
I am sad to share that Tucker’s time came today. He spent his last four weeks happy and playful with walks, special treats, and ball chasing.
In his almost eight months with me, my 10-year old boy Tucker shared his mischievous nature and sweetness everyday. He was puppy like in behavior with only foggy eyes and, at times, his walk disclosing his senior status. Mostly his walks involved me trying to keep up with him!
Shoes, dog beds and stuffed toys were initial targets of his playfulness. His housemate Ellie (GSP, cattle dog mix) gave up her soft toys after Tucker’s arrival. Hopefully reuniting with those that survived Tucker’s enthusiasm will help her adapt to a home without our ‘buddy’.
Tucker’s love for balls was well known at the neighborhood park - tennis players gave him balls, softball coaches greeted him with glee as we struggled to keep him from grabbing their bag of balls, and many people commented about him carrying his ball. When weekly neighborhood newspapers were on driveways he playfully grabbed and proudly carried them home. They weren’t as good as a ball but he gladly helped reduce litter by getting a few of those papers to recycling each week.
Except for meals and sleeping, Tucker was in motion. About two months ago, he started a practice of waking me up in the morning with a little nudge and then, just for a minute or two, he would stand still enough to get some pets and back rubs. I am happy he created this special time for us.
Thanks to those of you who rescued and cared for Tucker in his journey to becoming my ‘handsome boy’. Hopefully his rescue story did encourage action by pet owners to take steps now to provide for the care of their dear pets in case they become unable to do so”.
Lauri
