It’s been awhile… or how Miller saved Tucker’s life

Not really sure why I dropped off the radar, had so many trips back in 2011 and  one really big change in my life.

Remember my grand dog Miller?

 

I babysat him for 2 weeks last May while Liz and Dave went on a trip. Found out about a dog walking group at our local park and took Miller there everyday. Miller loved it and I loved the doggies and their owners. Miller went home and I continued to walk at the park with the group. Then on August 11, while walking at the park, this beautiful Golden Retriever ran up. He was dazed and confused, running like crazy everywhere. My walking group had seen him for at least a week at the park, one walker actually caught him, put him in his back yard. But somehow this Golden opened the fence gate and was on the run again. Being the softie that I am and owning 2 Goldens  in the past, I grabbed him by his flimsy collar and dragged him to my golf cart He got in, laid down at my feet and let out the biggest sigh I have ever heard. He was filthy, stinky, skin & bones, all his ribs were showing and it pained me to pet him, thinking I would hurt him. Here he is the next day after 3 baths and a trip to the vet.  Because his hair is so long, you can’t see his bones and ribs in these pictures…

 

At first, I did not think I could keep him. I contacted the Gulf South Golden Retriever Rescue group, their foster homes were all full. So this sweet well behaved puppy (vet thinks he was about 9-12 months then) stayed at my house. We fell in love. My daughter Liz named him Tucker. She wanted him, my son wanted him but the longer he stayed with me, the more attached he became to me. So by the end of August, Tucker was mine and I am his forever Mommy.

Tucker has some health issues, heartworms being the worst. The vet would not treat him for HW initially, Tucker was 71 lbs and emaciated. He is a big dog and needed a lot more weight. When he went back in October for recheck, Immiticide, the cure for HW was scarce. My vet said it be February before they could get it. So here I sit today, on the sofa, with Tucker at 96 lbs, at my feet. He had his first Immiticide injection on Tuesday. He has to stay inactive for 60 days. He will have  his 2nd and 3rd injections on March 27 and 28.

He is the sweetest baby and has filled my life with such joy and happiness. Prior to this HW treatment, we would walk for 2 hours at the park every morning, then a noon and evening walk. He shakes, does high-fives, and won cute dog trick at a local dog festival last October.  This will be a long 60 days keeping him quiet. I expect I have many blog posts to follow.

 

Tucker on August 28, gained 5lbs, and had his first time at a doggie spa. Look at that happy smile!

Tucker last October at a dog park in  Ft Walton Beach, FL. He shed all his long hair.

 

Tucker watching world go by out his favorite window. He is 94 lbs in this picture, has his favorite toy, Dino the dinosaur by his side.

 

Tucker playing with his little buddy, Maverick, another Golden:

Tucker on Monday after getting news that he would start HW treatment next day, not happy….

 

 

And so that is how Miller saved Tucker, if it weren't for Miller, I never would have meet the dog walking group. And I never would have been there to pull Tucker from what might have been his doom.