Tucker

Tucker, age 11

Tucker's settling in really well! He acts like he's been here for months. The cats are still on tiptoe, but our dogs accept him completely. Poppy, our Boxer mix, has become used to "owning" all that surrounds her and when she quietly went and tried to snitch Tucker’s new toy, he let out an equally quiet and polite "No you don't Missy." Poppy said “whoops!” and backed away. I couldn't be more pleased... a refresher in manners is just what our girl needs. :)

As for Tucker, we'll be really happy when his surgical site is healed. He slept better last night, but was still up quite a bit. The drain tube is doing its job and he's intent on cleaning up the bedding before I do. I  removed the bandage this morning and cleaned him up. I had to put a donut collar on him as he's insisting on performing further cleaning! He's so easy going and accepting. 

The picture where he has his ears perked up, is his first meeting with our rabbit. I imagine him saying "Really??, is that really a rabbit??"  

He's doing great, moving like a pro up and down the steps, eating, pooping, peeing—all systems go! Oh!… and wagging and smiling!! What a sweet boy he is.

Check out his updated post-surgery pictures below!

Update 3/15/12

When our volunteer first met him, Tucker was (a) in jail; and (b) covered with mud and mats; but did that make him forget his manners? Don’t be silly. There’s no disguising a True Gentleman, and no keeping him down, either! He pranced right up  with a smile on his face.

This distinguished 11-year-old has had some tough times.

For one thing, he was no stranger to a holding cell, having been allowed to run loose & therefore nabbed for vagrancy repeatedly over the past years. On previous occasions, his owner had bailed him out—but this time, he simply said “Keep him.” (Which actually worked out well for Tucker!) 

Then there’s the little matter of no Heartgard, so that he’s heartworm positive. 

And third, there was that run-in with a motor vehicle 5 or 6 years ago, an accident that left Tucker with a badly injured foreleg. The limb should have been removed at the time, but it wasn’t; and since then, he had been saddled with a dangling, useless leg that he had to hoist up  and out of the way in order to get around.  Not that the situation dampened his sunny outlook (aren’t dogs amazing?), but our vet took one look and commented, “That needs to come off.” So, on Tuesday 3/13, Tucker had surgery. At this writing, he’s doing just fine and getting ready to move to his foster home.

More news as we get to know this handsome boy better…

Pre-surgery pictures:

Post-surgery pictures:  (notice that SMILE!):

Adoption Procedures