Mr Tucker

Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2011 by Travis Cody in
28

With the help of our friends at Seattle Vet Specialists, Pam and I helped Mr Tucker go to the Rainbow Bridge yesterday evening.  He was 13.



All I wanted was a pair of shoes.  So I went and got some.  Then for reasons I still don't understand, or really care to understand, I wandered from the shoe store over to the PetSmart.

And there he was in the adoption center...a face peering out from the inside of a little kitty condo inside an adoption cage.  The most amazing green eyes that followed me when I went to look at the other kitties there.  Those eyes kept drawing me back to his cage.  He never moved...just the eyes.  I read his name, Mr Tucker, and his data.  He was 4 and his family had to reluctantly give him up because their son developed an allergy.


He looked pathetic stuffed into that tiny condo.

And I wanted to take him home.  So I did on 17 December 2001.

I never regretted that decision.  He was my sweet little punk.

He had a great life, and my life was better for having him in it.  Last summer when his cardiac disease was first diagnosed, the doc thought maybe it could be controlled with medication.  But it turned out that there were more things wrong.  The combination of medications put too much strain on his kidneys.  And it didn't really keep the fluid from building in his chest, which constricted his heart and made his breathing so difficult.

But it got him through the holidays, and that was important to me.  Every day after that was gravy.  A couple of weeks ago he had what the doc thinks was a stroke, and I thought that was going to be the end.


But he rallied and we got a little more time.  Then we had a great weekend.  He was almost his old self on Saturday.  That's what we'll remember.

Monday he quit eating.  Tuesday he refused his medicine and we stopped bothering him with it.  Tuesday evening, his breathing started to get really rough.  We almost took him to the doc, but he settled down.


Then yesterday morning, he just wasn't right.  Pam stayed home from work.  I couldn't because I've got today and tomorrow off for a long weekend.  Pam called me throughout the day with updates.


Mr Tucker was getting confused.  He was having trouble getting comfortable.  His breathing was really labored.  I called SVS from work and told them he was failing.  And when I got home, he looked at me and I knew.

It was time.


I choose to believe that he understood me when I told him the things I wanted to tell him.  I told him I was sorry it was so scary.  I asked him to forgive me for being a coward because I couldn't hold him until he left for the Bridge.  I'm sure he knew I wanted to, but I didn't want to remember that part.

I thanked him for loving Pam as much as I do.


We had one last snuggy Tuesday night.  Now he's gone to the Bridge where he can breathe with ease, and run, and settle down in a special patch of sunlight.

I loved that little spook.  I'm going to miss him.

He left me his woobie.  He's in my heart forever.


Mr Tucker
July 1997 - March 2011

28 comments:

  1. Unknown says:

    I'm so sorry - I know how difficult it is. We had to put our cat Sage to sleep when she was 17 and it's so hard to let them go!

  1. Anonymous says:

    Oh Travis and Pam, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm so glad he found a home with you two....

    Hugs and prayers for strength, wisdom, and faith.

    [wiping away tears]

  1. Marsha says:
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  1. Pam and Travis...I am not sure I ever knew how Mr. Tucker came into your life Travis. I do know how much he accepted Pam when she came into your life and after so many years just the two guys, that was special.
    Hold the memories close. I know this weekend will be different for you Travis as you watch the dance, but without your companion there watching with you.

  1. Travis and Pam, my deepest sympathies to you. Mr. Tucker was indeed a special cat.

    It hurts to loose a beloved member of your family. I know he will be happy at the Rainbow Bridge.

  1. When I read of the love folks have for their pets I come to appreciate that many in the human race are pretty good creatures themselves. Well said.

  1. j says:

    Tears for you Travis... for you and Pam. I am so terribly sorry. I am sending you both thoughts and hugs - I hope that you two feel the warmth and support.

    I'm thankful that you blessed Mr. Tucker with a home and were blessed in return by his love.

  1. Meribah says:

    Yes, Mr. Tucker is at peace now, but a part of him will always be with you cuz a beloved pet never really leaves. Hugs to you and Pam.

  1. Sorry for your loss. What a great story of how you found Mr. Tucker and the wonderful times the three of you had.

  1. Beautifully written. My tears are streaming. I know how hard this has been for you and Pam. And I know how much Mr. Tucker was loved and cared for. He must have fiercely loved you two as well.

    And I know that if he ever decides to wander onto a moonlit ballfield in the middle of Rainbow Land....there'll be someone there to play with ya know.

    Hugs

  1. Oh Travis that was a beautiful tribute to your kitty man. I am so sorry for your loss =(

  1. I'm sorry for your loss. It's hard to do but sometimes it has to be done.

  1. Jeni says:

    Oh Travis! I started crying when I read your first lines to this post and cried the whole way through it. I wonder if Mr. Tucker knew how many people across the country, maybe even around the world for that matter, loved seeing his pictures here and reading about him and his antics but especially about the love that he gave to you and Pam and that you returned to him? Such a beautiful cat he was. I know how much you and Pam will miss his presence but it was good that you both also understood his time with you was ending and that you were both able to comfort him as he went over the Rainbow Bridge. May he rest in peace.

  1. Barb says:

    Saying farewell to our little furbabies is the hardest part of loving them. Big hugs, Trav.

  1. Oh Travis, what a beautiful story, with such a sad ending. I know all too well what your heart is going through just now. I know Mr. Tucker understood all that stuff. He will have lots of great company at the Rainbow Bridge while he waits for you, he'll never be lonely or hungry or cold. I have too many loved ones waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for me and I so look forward to when we are together again. I'm gonna really get mugged when I get there, lol. I send you and Pam hugs from a fellow animal lover and as much as it hurts to loose the little brats I can't imagine life without them.

  1. Coco says:

    My prayers are with you and Pam as you mourn. Our pets aren't just animals to the people who love them. They are part of the family and our best friends.

    *hugs Trav* I got so choked yesterday when I read this that I forgot to leave a comment. I am so sorry for your loss.

  1. (Okay - I'm crying at work...)

    Can't really say anything. Too sad.

  1. Thanks to all for your kind thoughts. They are much appreciated.

  1. Akelamalu says:

    I'm so sorry to hear your Mr Tucker has passed. You gave him a good life and he has given you lots of good memories. x

  1. Linda says:

    I know that you didn't write this to make people cry but boy, am I ever.

    I have no doubt whatsoever that when you brought Mr. Tucker home from that impromptu visit to PetSmart that both yours and his lives changed for the better and then when Pam came into the picture, hers was also. I also have no doubt that he knew exactly why you couldn't hold him at the end when he left your life to continue his on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

    My sincerest condolences on the loss of your friend and family member; I know it's going to be tough but in the end, you did the right thing letting him go.

  1. Rip Mr.Tucker Travis and Pam will be with always.Of our babies only Harvey is left. Binkie(Celestine's Cat),Gabby(Celestine's dog) Cookie(our dog)Tigger,RJ,BC,all have gone to the Rainbow Bridge as well.

  1. Dianne says:

    I read about Mr Tucker on Linda's blog and came by to express my sympathy and empathy
    having sat with many loved ones at the start of their next journey I know how much it hurts and I know how much you loved the sweet punk

    Peace and Hugs from me and Hope and Siren and Isadora

  1. Julie says:

    So I put Lucy on my lap as I read this. Tears dropped and caused her back to wiggle for a second. Now I have hair all over my lap. I wouldn't change it for a minute. They're family. Sometimes better then the humans.

    Love and hugs to you and Pam.

  1. That was, indeed, a beautiful tribute to your feline friend. I'm so sorry you had to endure loss, but I'm glad you had the time you did with him. Everyone deserves unconditional love.

  1. TopChamp says:

    Hi Travis - I missed this post sorry.

    I'm sure you'll miss him - I remember it was weird being in our flat without the cat. Sorry for your loss.

  1. Anonymous says:

    I have no idea how I stumbled onto your little blog, but I'm glad I did. Your Mr. Tucker looks JUST like my Einstein who passed several years ago. I see his picture on my computer screen everyday and am always glad he was in my life. My heart is with you, but remember the love :) - and when you are ready, save another soul.

  1. Thank you for stopping by Curlz and Swirlz today and somehow knowing so many wish for peace, helps...I am blinking back tears reading about Mr Tucker, but part of my sadness is tempered with joy, knowing how much he enriched your life...Peace on earth and in our hearts.

  1. Anonymous says:

    I"m sorry for your loss and I'm sure Mr. Tucker loved you as much as you loved him.
    We all come to this point eventually. Just remember you gave him a wonderful and happy life. If you can, honor him by loving and caring for another animal. Mr. Tucker will always live in your heart.