TUCKER
"We never only treated him as a pet, he was a member of our family"
Way back in 2016 when Tucker was given to us. He is a Japanese Spitz and a German Shepherd crossbred. For almost 3 years, he was just tied because everyone was busy and no one could take care of him. When I’m at home, I play with him even if they say, "Don’t get too close to Tucker, you don’t know his frame of mind." But I trust him. He’s a man’s best friend that you can play with.
In 2020 when a flood hit our home, we didn’t have a choice but to untie him. My mother was really scared that if he was freed, he would be so aggressive and bite anyone. But again, I trusted him and he didn’t fail me. He just ran around our home, played with other dogs, and was so kind to us (his owners). It was the start when he was released and slept inside our home.
As time passes, we are starting to love him more. He’s a very intelligent dog. At his age, he still managed to learn how to "sit" and "shake hands". He knows how to open the door grills on our terrace. At night, he'll just stand near our main door, barking faintly or sometimes aggressively (if urgent), for us to open the door. He just recently learned how to "jump" through my boyfriend, Angelo. What more if we trained him when he was still young?
He spent some of his time in the morning sitting outside, feeling the heat of the sunlight cover his warm body. He knows everyone in our family, including our distant cousins and uncles. He loves to play with them. At that moment, I realized that when he was tied for years, he memorized everyone coming into our home.
We’re so happy that he can freely go wherever he wants to, compromising the times when he can’t do it.
They say dogs have a favorite. But with Tucker, I can’t figure out who his number one is. Even though we’re so close, he is also close to Mama, Mamang, and Cj. He is also clingy to Papa, Lala, and Barack.
He’s a very strong guard at night, fully awake, and our companion every time. He's with Lala in the morning (when she starts studying), Mamang at noon (when she sleeps in our old house), Mama and Papa in the afternoon (going in our backyard, feeding in our poultry farm), Barack and CJ when they play, and me until late at night (when I study).
He’s more than a man’s best friend. He’s so sweet and clingy to all of us. He just wanted to be the center of attention when we were all gathered. He’s always the first one to go in our table when we eat. He loves us very much. Just how much we love him.
He’s the only one who can see me at my best and worst. He watches me dance at night (when I’m super happy) and just stares at me when I cry. He’s more than a dog, he’s also my stress reliever.
When I started to notice that his nose was bleeding (but only mildly), I’m so worried, but they say, maybe it’s just a trauma because he wandered anywhere. But then it started to worsen after my cousin’s birthday party.
February 20, 2022, when he became delusional and we don’t know what to do. He went into our rooms, leaving blood on our pillows. We tied him because we couldn’t control his aggression. Barked all night, I cried.
On February 21, 2022, he was so weak and his face changed drastically. I can’t even manage to get close to him. I’m so scared. We consulted veterinarians, went to ask in vet clinics, and tried my very best to risk it and gave him medicines. I thought he would bite me, but he didn’t. Even if he’s so weak, he still tried his best to drink from the syringe that I was putting in his mouth. I’m really crying, but I’m trying to prevent it because I don’t want to show it to him.
I thought I could do it. I’m a medical student, and I thought I could save his life, but my efforts were not enough. Animals are also difficult to cure because they can’t say what and where it hurts.
He was just showing us from the very start that he was strong, but he was just trying. He didn’t want us to be sad. He wants us to see that he’s alright. I thought the simple signs I'd seen were insignificant.
February 22, 2022, he’s already been taken by our God. We never treated him as a pet. He was a member of our family. A jolly, friendly, kind, and loving dog whom we really cherished. Why is this feeling so painful? Because he became a part of me. Now, our home feels so incomplete.
Sometimes I blame myself, why didn’t I put more effort? Why didn't I even manage to save him? But I realized that it’s better for him to rest in peace with God than to suffer more due to his illness.
Then we realized everything he did before he got sick and died. He was really strange. That’s why he clings more to me and plays like a young dog when he was tied (when we had a small party here at home and our cousins also brought their pets, we’re afraid because Tucker might bite them). Maybe he went all in in our rooms, jumping in all the chairs to leave a mark because he knew he wouldn’t last long.
2-22-22, they say miracles happen. But for us, an angel was given. You will be forever cherished. We love you so so much!
Love really conquers all. It doesn’t only apply to people. If you’re a pet lover, you will feel me. It’s really happy and fulfilling to have someone like Tucker, but this is what life is. Life is finite, but love isn’t. We just need to give the best that we can while we have the chance.
I already miss playing with you, Tucker. Sometimes, I can feel you but it would be better if I can really touch you physically, but it's all over now. No one can ever replace you. Your memories will remain in our hearts forever♡
