Video: Tucker walks great on leash.
Video: Tucker and little dog Smoochy.
Video: Tucker having fun at the park at the shelter.
Tucker 4-year-old male fox red Lab 85-lbs Neutered
Background: Tucker was surrendered to the San Francisco Animal Care and Control, as his owner was no longer able to care for him. Must have been incredibly difficult for them, as he had been with the family since he was a puppy. Tucker had lived in a home with 4-year-old and 10-year-old children, and it sounds like he was pretty well loved and adored. Tucker had been purchased from a private breeder as a puppy and spent the past four years with the only family he's ever known.
Unfortunately, at some point in Tucker's adolescence, he began to have seizures. It looks like his people did the right thing by him and got him to the vet and got his seizures under control with phenobarbital. Sadly, his human mom recently lost her job, had to downsize her housing, and felt she could no longer provide a good life for Tucker or afford the medications that keep his seizures at bay. Tucker's mom reached out to the breeder she purchased him from, but due to his seizures, they refused to take him back. Tucker's mom didn't know what else to do, so she surrendered him to the SF shelter. We pulled Tucker out of the shelter on Saturday, April 13, and he is now in our foster care.
What the Shelter Says: This poor guy is clearly a house dog who has been well loved and well spoiled, and he found our noisy, institutional shelter to be... less than ideal. Like a true gentleman, Tucker put his best paw forward and was a darling to all he encountered. Tucker tested brilliantly with other dogs here at the shelter and of course has been angelic with people. His owner reported that he adores kids, gets along well with people and other dogs, and has even done well meeting cats in the past. And, true to the breed, the dude loves to fetch. This guy is your total all-American retriever! Tucker is our refined gentleman. He's a good, good egg.
What Tucker's Foster Says: What a handsome happy dog! Gets along with my own Lab "Diesel". Tucker continues to get more and more comfortable in my home. He slept on a dog bed in my living room last night (as I joined him on the nearby couch). Does not want to be in a crate at night. Still working on house-training. Loves bopping around in my yard checking everything out... and, buy, does he love to "fetch" and "drop" the toy for another fetch. Have not gotten him down to the river yet, so I do not know if he likes to swim. Loves to go on walks around the neighborhood, great on leash, minimal pulling. Not shown much interest at all in the chickens -- this is good. Loves riding in the car.
What Tucker's Rescue Rep Says: Am considering Tucker to be a "special needs" dog ($200 adoption fee) due to his epilepsy. Would do great in a home with children and/or another dog. Ideally, a home with minimal steps due to the unsteadiness on his back legs.
Medical: Tucker is current on vaccinations, neutered, heartworm negative, and microchipped. Tucker is taking a regimen of phenobarbital and gabapentin to manage his seizures. Tucker also has some loss of balance (ataxia) issues with his back legs that cause him to stumble on uneven surfaces -- not sure if this is related to his epilepsy. We intend to take Tucker to a doggie neurologist in the near future for examination.
Located In: Diesel Ranch in Placerville
If you want to adopt Tucker, please contact Rescue Rep Dave at david.c.ely@sbcglobal.net and tell me about yourself and why Tucker would be a good fit for your home.
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