I’ve had so much on my mind these last few days…actually, let me clarify. Tucket has been on my mind.

If you haven’t ‘met’ (I mean virtually or in person) our black labrador retriever, Tucket, I’ll give you some insider info.

My husband and I came into this marriage more than 8 years ago with a dog each. I had Bogey, my sweet old Golden Retriever, and he had Tucket who at that time was a barely 2-year-old lab, incredibly smart and remarkably well-behaved. Tucket was Andrew’s dog, through and through, but in January 2003, when I became sick and began this journey called Epilepsy, Tucket really became ‘my’ dog. We always marveled at how he could sense seizures. He was not trained to be a seizure alert dog, but he has this amazing quality. He climbs into my lap when my auras begin, sometimes even tugging at my clothes so I know to sit down on a piece of furniture if I’m standing. He’s devoted, incredibly smart and truly loved, even protective, but more than anything, he has made this journey with us from the start. He understands Epilepsy perhaps more than many of the adults I come into contact with!

So, when we found out on Saturday that Tucket has a mast cell tumor–malignant– in the worst place possible…the back leg near the joint, my world, our world, was rocked. And, it’s still shaking. The advice from the oncologist was simple…have the tumor removed, ASAP.

Devotion to our animals continues to amaze me. It’s no wonder they become integral parts of our families. I have a hard time imagining my life with Epilepsy, without Tucket. He’s a friend, a great snuggler, a sounding board (yes, I believe he listens to me), a caregiver and a healer. Everything everyone tells you about animals and their healing power is true. Tucket is not only a great companion, but he is there for me when I need him most. He never judges me or questions my decisions (except maybe when Hayden and I choose to give him one cookie in the morning instead of two!). Hayden and I like to call him ‘Nurse Tucket’ when I’m at my worst.

So, you’ll have to excuse my worry and apprehension while we await the results of surgery scheduled for next Tuesday. It’s just so hard to imagine my life without my 4-legged companion! I bet many of you have similar, if not the same experiences with your pets. My advice today…give them a giant hug and a kiss…you just never know when life with your animal will change forever!

Tucket and Hayden...spring 2010