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 In
Memory of Tuggy
WINDCHILL TAWNI TUGGER [A]
WPD WTD WSD WLD WWPDX ROA
22 January 1997 - 24 February 2005
As much as we try
to love all our dogs equally and not show favouritism, every now and then a dog
comes along that is just that little bit “special”.
Our Tuggy was one
such dog. Was it because he looked funny with his big ears and long pointed
snout, or because he was at the bottom of our pack and his litter mates always
seemed to pick on him? Whatever the reason, we soon developed a special soft
spot in our hearts for Tuggy and, whether it was the extra attention we bestowed
upon him or just his nature, he was the most affectionate and responsive of all
our dogs, no matter when or where.
Tuggy
led a very full and active life. As a youngster he was always the lowest in our
pack order, but he was very affectionate and always the most willing to please
and our most enthusiastic worker. In his first season of sledding he achieved
his Working Sprint, Lead and Team Dog titles, and shortly after went on to gain
his Working Weight Pull Dog title and Working Pack Dog title.
If you called him
he would come immediately, and this was no more apparent that in the weight pull
chute. When the weight became too much and his other competitors just ignored
their handlers or turned their backs, Tuggy would continue to try to pull and
strain to come to us. It was this innate desire to work and please us that is
reflected in his list of achievements: WSD WLD WTD WPD WWPDX, as well as being
placed in the top three Malamute teams in nearly all 1-dog, 2-dog and 4-dog
classes in sled dog races every year since 1998.
Our special boy had
been the picture of health and full of energy all his life, so it came as a
devastating shock to learn that his time with us was to be so short. Tuggy had
developed a slight limp that rapidly got worse despite treatment, and on Tuesday
22 February an x-ray revealed extensive cancerous growths in his front leg. By
the following Thursday he was obviously in pain and, as much as we could not
bear the thought of being without Tuggy, we knew we had no choice but to let him
go with dignity and without suffering.
He certainly was no
show dog and was desexed when he was young, his long pointy snout and big ears
gave him a comical look, yet he always had a smile on his face and somehow he
always seemed to be everyone's favourite. Tuggy held a special place in our
hearts and his loss left a big hole in our hearts and our family - he is very
sadly missed.
   
Farewell
Dear Tuggy - Run free good friend...
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