Author: jeanetteg

Time has slipped by since Boone crossed the Bridge over two years ago, but he’s still a big part of our memories and lives.

And he certainly wanted to make sure our lives were full of laughter and hi-jinks.

First, he sent us Tornado Tuck just two weeks after he passed. This crazy boy was only supposed to be a foster, but we failed ;-). I’m so thankful we did.

Tuck’s over-the-top energy and athleticism led us to a dog sport I’d never tried before – agility. While we started out with no intention of ever competing, just a year or so after our first class, we entered our first trial.

Today, Tuckaroo (he has a lot of nicknames, kinda like Booneman had) has his Open titles in Agility Standard and Jumpers with Weaves. He’s SO much fun, and he just LOVES to run and jump.

Here’s a compilation video my agility instructor put together for us.

Boone apparently didn’t think training and competing in agility with Tuck was enough, so he sent a little (BIG) Rotty baby to us in October 2018 (you’ll see him in the video as well!).

Ryker is a big, goofy sweet boy who has no clue about his size. Kind of like Boone.

The boys rough-house a little too much some days, and have managed to tip the couch over more than once. Here they are during a rare peaceful moment in their respective places on the couch.

As you can see, Ryker is about twice the size of little Tuck. Thank goodness he has a sweet personality!

Both boys get their own daily walk on Boone’s favorite paths, and I’m certain Boone is right there with us, smiling his big smile.

Boone buddy, you did good sending me these two.

But I’d appreciate it if you’d stop daring them to top all of your good-bad-dog antics.

Boone is determined to fill our home with antics and bad dog hijinks again.

After three years without a Rottweiler in our lives, we’ll be bringing home one of these little (big) guys in October.

More to come…

Boone truly had a sense of humor when he chose Tornado Tuck for us. I guess he thought I wasn’t getting nearly enough exercise so he sent us a dog that LOVES agility.

I’ve been in dog sports my whole life but never gave agility a try. ‘Til now.

Tuck is truly in his happy place every week at class. We’re bonding even more and he keeps me humble when he suddenly decides sniffing and zoomies are much more entertaining than obstacles.

This past weekend we participated in an Agility Course Test. For those in the dog sports world, it’s kind of like the CGC for agility. We had to have two qualifying runs in each level (ACT 1 and ACT 2) to earn the titles, and I’m thrilled (and actually a little surprised) that we managed to get both on Saturday.

Here’s a shot of him at an agility run through last month (look at that smile). My instructor is using this image on her current Facebook promotion.

And here is a video from one of our ACT 2 runs. Thankfully we didn’t film the second run, as crazy Tuck wiped out on the pause table. But he bounced back – uninjured – and we finished strong.

It’s hard to imagine our lives without this little ball of energy.

It’s hard to fathom that one year ago you earned your wings, Boone.

You were our “Bad Dog Bundle,” always making us laugh with all of your antics. That tail of yours never stopped wagging and you had the most infectious (and mischievous) smile. It was hard to have a bad day with you around.

You were my walking buddy, couch cuddler and lifter of spirits.

I still miss you terribly. But I know you’ve been restored to health, and you found Miss Lexi waiting for you at the Bridge.

Just two short weeks after you passed, you sent the craziest little earthly sidekick to remind us that it’s ok for life to go on. It’s OK if we still smile and laugh – especially when he pulls stunts like you did. I swore up and down we wouldn’t keep him; it was too soon, he was “too small” for my liking and gosh was he a screamer!

He’s a little guy compared to you, easily half your size. But what he lacks in size he makes up for in personality. There are days when I’m certain the two of you have a conversation that goes something like this:

Boone: “Hey, Tuck. I bet you can’t top…”

Tuck: “Hold my beer…”

Now we’re running agility, something I’ve never done before. You should see him fly! For a little guy he’s sure got fast legs. I have a heck of a time keeping up with him (when I can, that is). But he’s smart. He catches on quickly and loves to please.

I’m sure you told him about our walks and that at 3 o’clock every afternoon, he should demand that I leave my desk and leash up to check out the neighborhood. Which we do.

This past summer, butterflies kept us company on our walks. You always loved chasing butterflies, Boone.

And he’s won over the heart of your favorite little girl in the neighborhood. I wasn’t sure how he would be, but you must have told him what a sweet girl she is and that he should greet her with the biggest tail wag. He doesn’t tower over her quite like you did – but he loves her just the same.

I better wrap this up. My keyboard is getting wet…

I miss you, Boone.

‘Til we meet again.

As crazy Tuck (Boone’s earthly sidekick) and I were walking in the fall colors yesterday, I realized it had been six months since Boone crossed the Bridge. I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t shed some tears missing that big, goofy boy, but I’m also laughing and smiling a lot more. And a lot of it has to do with the little big devil dog that Boone sent to us.

Boone’s signals and signs have become fewer, but the ones he sends are powerful. Like this huge rainbow that appeared low to the ground at the end of our road one afternoon in August. I’ve never seen one this close to ground, this close to our home before. It reminded me that he and Lexi are romping and loving life at the Bridge.

I think Boone had a very mischievous plan when he sent Tuck our way just two weeks after he passed. This little big dog has topped any and ALL bad dog things Boone EVER did! And you can bet Boone is just rolling with laughter at the Bridge. For example…

Tuck is pretty sure he’s a mountain goat. Or maybe a bird on his big perch.

And yes, that’s our antique chest/coffee table that Tuck is exploring. Notice my hubby isn’t doing anything to discourage Tuck (but then neither am I).

This was where Tuck ended up after squeezing his little body through the pet barrier in the back of my car. Which would have been fine except he learned how to shift the car from drive to neutral more than once on this trip!

Boone was notorious for trying to eat money. Well, he must have whispered to Tuck how great money tastes. I walked back to my home office to wrap things up for the day and discovered this along with $12 on the floor. Ummm..Tuck?! At first I had a good laugh because I thought it was my hubby’s that Tuck found on a counter. That is until I headed to a meeting the next morning, grabbed my purse and realized Boone’s earthly sidekick had unsnapped the pocket with the money and pulled it out. Sigh.

But then he switches from a little devil dog to an angel. How can you stay upset with this face?!

And my goodness did I have a good laugh when I walked past our bedroom door one morning and saw Tuck doing his best yoga pose.

Tuck also knows (just as Boone did) when it’s time for me to call it quits for the day.

I’m so grateful for the 7 years we had with Boone. And am doubly grateful that my hubby “just happened” to see the post on our local rescue group of a little black and tan dog needing an urgent foster just two weeks after Boone left us. This little big devil dog has completely stolen our hearts and reminded us that it’s ok to laugh and love again.

PS – we’re starting agility in October. It’s something I’ve always wanted to try and considering Tuck can leap from a sit straight up to his perch on the back of the couch, I think agility is going to come naturally to him. Now if I can get him to focus