Turning a sad situation into a blessing

Loving dog adopted, given a paw-some life that touches many people

Tuk is a hunky and handsome purebred chocolate Labrador retriever and many people dearly love him, especially his adoptive mom.

His previous owners unceremoniously dumped him in rescue and heartlessly said, “Either take the dog or they would euthanize him that very day.” They said he was nine years old, they were moving and did not want to take him along.

Luckily, the organization had a vacant foster home, so they took possession of Tuk and a volunteer, who would eventually foster him, picked him up. The foster mom sensed immediately that Tuk had a charming personality and gentle demeanour. She knew he would never leave her home right away, so she adopted him. She already owned a wonderful rescue dog, but she made room in her home and heart for Tuk. His lovely, calm, sweet and comical personality blossomed under her loving care.

Not surprisingly, as this happens all too often, Tuk was surrendered without food, bowls, toys, beds or anything that would have helped him during his transition. His foster mom made sure Tuk was more than comfortable in her home and her other dog generously shared his toys with him.

The foster mom could tell that Tuk had probably never been to a veterinarian. He was not neutered, his nails were too long and he badly needed a bath and desperately needed grooming. At his first veterinarian appointment, it was discovered the surrendering family lied about his age. He was most likely a young three or four years old, not nine. The rescue organization lovingly and unselfishly looked after all of Tuk’s veterinarian care. He was neutered long after he settled into his foster home. He was also vaccinated, given flea treatments and everything else he needed to keep him healthy and happy.

Tuk’s an easy-going dreamy boy, and if he had been born a human, he would most definitely have been George Clooney. Women swoon for Tuk and I know this because I am one of those women.

Tuk’s adoptive mom has a demanding career as the head of technology for five regional schools. She often took him to work and he became a favourite visitor at one of the schools, which innocently developed into a daytime gig.

Tuk evolved into a school therapy dog who worked twice a week with children who have special needs. Some of the children had autism or behavioural issues and they became highly attached to his visits as he has such a gentle disposition. The school acknowledged Tuk’s positive impression on the children and they welcomed him into the school as often as he could make it.

The school bought him a little jacket and embroidered his name alongside “Therapy Dog.” When Tuk put the coat on in the morning, he would get very excited because he knew he was going to school. He would quietly lie beside the children and let them read aloud to him at school. He never passed judgment if a child mispronounced a word or stuttered. He was just happy to be with the kids.

Often Tuk would lie under a child’s desk during the day, never leaving their side. Kids were encouraged to do their homework with him and the kids would get rewarded points for good behaviour, allowing them to take Tuk for a walk, play fetch or amuse him with a game of tug of war. Tuk usually won the tug of war games and the kids didn’t mind.

Tuk’s mom was always exceptionally busy at work, and she would often find him at the end of the day at the principal’s office. She always laughed and asked him what he had done wrong, but he never did anything wrong. Teachers often brought him to the principal’s office for a break and they even bought him a couple of doggy gates so he couldn’t wander down the hall back to the classroom. Tuk plays such an essential and integral role for the children, so they decided to add a picture of him in the school yearbook, wearing his unique custom-made school best.

Considering Tuk’s calm personality, his mom decided to enrol him in the official St. John’s Ambulance Course to become a registered therapy dog. Of course, he impressed the instructors and passed with flying colours.

Tuk is perfect in every way possible. He loves other dogs, cats, kids, people, and if he met a giraffe, he’d love him also. He loves car rides, swimming, hiking, sunbeams, lying in puddles, but his favourite is dirt baths. Tuk will find it and roll in it for as long as possible if there is dirt around. He is also obsessed with food — all food.

He is now nine or 10 years old, and for the last five years, he has been a beloved member of his family and community. His mom has bent over backwards to ensure he is happy, healthy and comfortable. When he was diagnosed with painful hip dysplasia, she lovingly paid for the surgery and nursed him back to health.

To think his previous owners had committed to euthanizing him is unbelievable. Although Tuk has aging hips, he still chases tennis balls, takes dirt baths and helps children. He is the poster boy of success stories for rescue.

Please be kind to animals.

Tracy Jessiman is a pet portrait artist who lives in Halifax with her husband and their three pets. She has been rescuing animals most of her life, but more intimately, animals rescued her.