goodbye to tucker

The Pavan Family had a very sad decision to make this past February. Our little buddy was not doing well. After 14 years it was time to say goodbye to our Tucker. My sister Tracey and I both came home to spend the day giving him hugs and love.As we were debating what kind of extravagant last meal to get for him, I brought up getting him a drive-thru double bacon cheeseburger monstrosity, my ever health-conscious and thoughtful little sister said "No! You never know what those are made of, I don't want him eating that!" She's the best.So to the grocery store for all natural hot dogs wrapped in roast beef it was. And he loved it.Obituary written by John Pavan, my dad and master of words:

Our friend Tucker passed away peacefully with his family by his side after enjoying a long, happy and loving life. He enjoyed 14 years (yes, we are crediting him the last month for good behavior) as a companion, hunter and loyal friend.He came into our lives immediately after 8 year old Tracey, the real love of his life, asked “Are we going to get a dog while I’m still in my childhood?” We quickly found 6 month old Tucker (originally named Bugsy, which we knew right away he hated) and brought him home. He had all the qualities we wanted -- affable, sensitive and eager to please. Just darn irresistible. He adjusted to life with us quickly and we all immediately fell in love with him.Tucker was an athlete and protector, but above all, a lover. Anyone could immediately get on his “good” list by offering a dog treat or even just having some in their pocket. Many times families walking small children down our street would come into the yard to pet him and he immediately moaned and rolled over for his favorite belly rub -- even with a complete stranger. If an unfamiliar face, especially when accompanied by an unfamiliar dog, walked on the opposite side of the street, Tucker would bark and (energetically) race up and down the front yard, letting them know they were near “his turf”.

Tucker spent many, many days hunting with John, his brothers, fellow hunters and their dogs. Tucker hunted pheasants, grouse, woodcock, chukkar, ducks and geese. In the last few years, as the strain of a hunt became too much for him, he still always joined hunting camp as a companion and good luck charm, where he somehow knew it was OK to nap on the couch and sleep on the beds. He is also remembered for sharing many nights in deer and turkey camps, especially when those dinners and nights in front of the fireplace became the highlight of the trips. His hunting travels took him to 7 U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces.Not known to most was Tucker’s keen intelligence and especially his aptitude with technology. If one roamed the house late at night they would likely find Tucker sorting his iPod collection, surfing the internet or even working on some type of spreadsheet. Who knows where he could have gone with just a little more time.Tucker was loved -- and will be missed -- by all, with the exception of our old mailman, who actually petitioned the Post Office to have our mailbox moved. By the end, the mailman was the only one on Tucker’s “grrr...” list.Goodbye friend. We miss you already.