Facebook PixelNational Puppy Day 2021: The Story of My Rescue Dog
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National Puppy Day 2021: The Story of My Rescue Dog

Megan K.
ByMegan K.Mar 23, 2021 | 32 comments

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Tucker the rescue dog

Tucker

I always wanted a giant silver standard poodle.

I already had one rescue dog, a pug named Charlie I adopted from a local organization, but knew I had room in my home (and my heart) for another pup. After learning that the rescue I had previously worked with didn't have any dogs that would be a good fit for my family at the time (poodle or otherwise), I put the idea into the back of my mind.

Tucker the rescue dog

Tucker's Craigslist photo.

Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Fast forward to the summer of 2019.

I was browsing Craigslist, clicking around from listing to listing. I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but somewhere between the ads for apartment rentals and giveaway furniture, I remember seeing the "POODLE" in all caps and clicking.

And there he was. A sad-looking, very dirty poodle with a really, really bad haircut named Tucker. It was love at first sight.

Soon after laying eyes on Tucker's scruffy mug, I called for details. His backstory was this: He was 5 years old and he'd been a stud dog, used for breeding. His breeders were rehoming Tucker and we'd be his fifth home. Now, these details may have been red flags for anyone else, but me, I was smitten. I couldn't wait to meet this dog.

"I hope you actually come to get him. You are the least crazy-sounding person who has called about him," his owner told me on the phone.

Nice, I thought.

Tucker and his owner were about an hour north of me, so I recruited my friend Emily to come along. Not only is Emily a good pal, she's also nearly 6 feet tall, so I figured I'd be safe with her stature by my side (please never go to meet a stranger from Craigslist alone).

Megan meeting Tucker for the first time

As soon as we pulled up, a dirty poodle with a bad haircut ran to greet us. It was Tucker!

Just like the feeling I had when I first laid eyes on him on Craigslist, I was enamored from his very first sniff.

I took him home that day and he's been an incredible addition to our family ever since (he's actually sleeping at my feet as I write this).

So, what's the morale of this story? Rescuing a dog or other animal can change your life in a positive, meaningful way. No matter how what your rescue story is, giving an animal in need a safe, clean, and happy home is one of the best feelings in the world.

Tucker immediately fit into our lives, becoming best friends with his new siblings, barking at the mailman, running around in the yard, learning to use stairs, getting fixed, suffering a few bad haircuts, and all of those many other memories you collect when you share your life with a special little creature who was literally waiting for you to come along to love them.

If you are on the hunt for your new BFF, be sure to check out your local Humane Society, local rescue groups, and, well, maybe even Craigslist.

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Megan K.
Megan K.
I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

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32 comments

Nadia

Yes!! i love this read. I have six rescue cats all of which have kind of varying heart breaking backgrounds and they’re all so perfect i cant imagine them not in my life.

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Bonnie

Megan, as the proud mama of 6 rescue fur babies you are now officially my favorite person

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Megan K.

I will gladly take that mantle Bonnie! Tucker is my second rescue pup and we have also had two rescue cats. They are the best!

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Anna

Aww he’s perfect. My dog is a mixed breed shelter returned by adopter. She fits perfectly into our family

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EMF999

We have two standard poodles – a 12 week old and his 2 year old aunt. They are both blue which means born almost black but fade to a steel grey or a brownish color as they got older.

Poodles are the best dogs ever! Congratulations on finding Tucker – he is gorgeous. Reading your story made my day.

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Megan K.

I am beyond obsessed with him! I think I will always have to have a poodle now. They are awesome.

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jenny

As a veterinary technician, it warms my heart to see rescue stories, as I know all too well how many pets needing homes are out there. I currently have three sweet rescues dominating my life: my kitty who was found in a ditch on the side of the road by our local wildlife rehabber (I swapped her a case of IV fluids for him), my frenchie who was slated for euthanasia at birth by the breeder due to a cleft palate (I tube fed him until he was old enough to be surgically repaired), and a doodle born with a reparable heart defect who was dumped at a high kill shelter by the breeder once that defect was discovered (her heart is now repaired and perfect). Thanks to MSA for the rescue pet love!

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Pinky

Dear Megan,

I really enjoy your reviews. You are great and highly valued by readers. Please let Tucker model some eyeliner or blush or help out other times.

OKTHANKSBYE

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Megan K.

This comment made my day Pinky. Thank you for leaving it. ♥️
I will see if Tucker can model some sunglasses or something haha!

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Stephanie Holland

More Tucker content, please!

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Maria

Great story of Tucker. My husband and I rescued a dog three years ago. We named him Tucker. He was quite easy to snarl at you if you touched his paws or in pain and does not feel comfortable when I pick him up to cuddle. He has become a snuggle bug and a great addition to our home. We do not know his background as he was found roaming the streets but we feel he may have been abused. He was definitely loved at one point since he plays fetch and will drop the ball at your feet or in your hands, potty trained, knows some commands and learned quickly which house is now his home. He always wants to come in right away and if I take him off leash in our neighborhood he will run along the road into our driveway and wait at the door. He has become an affectionate little guy. We have spoiled him rotten along with our Little Leo who we have had from a pup. They both bring such joy

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Megan K.

Aww I am glad your Tucker settled in! Spoiling them is honestly the best thing ever.

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shakingmyhead

I love your story! I have two rescue pugs and a rescue cat. We have also adopted many unwanted chickens. If I had more money I would certainly adopt more! Thank you for sharing your story 🙂 Tucker is very handsome!

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Megan K.

I love this! I still miss my chickens every day. Luckily our rescues have helped fill the void. Nothing like the love they give!

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Katy

My dog came from a litter of my Mom’s dog. Most of the shelter dogs I’ve had have been difficult to train and I rehomed them to good places. We did rescue 2 one year old black labs from the classifieds once and I absolutely loved them. They turned into fantastic companions.

Cats though! Most of ours have always been strays. One of my cats was born to a stray mother cat I had and I literally picked the second one off the side of the road on Christmas Eve and brought him home. And he is the sweetest baby ever. And my Mom’s cat showed up on her doorstep 13 years ago and is still here.

Animals are awesome!

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Megan K.

Yes, they really are!
We have a rescue kitty right now (Birdie) who is a really awesome cat. She kind of completed our little zoo.

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Snow

What a downright fantastic article, Megan. I will be the first to admit I am not a pet person at all, but wow this story really pulled on my heart strings. I love how you open up your world to the rest of us through your reviews, stories, and pictures (and the one of you and Tucker is really stunning….love your hair and lipstick!)

I definitely appreciated reading this 💕

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Megan K.

Thank you Snow! Tucker is a heart-melter for sure.

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Monica

thank you for sharing this 💜

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Boxy Fox

This story is so heart warming. After checking a ton of rescues and shelters I ended up rescuing my dog Gogi from Craigslist. My family likes to get dogs from breeders and they always seem to have more problems. Meanwhile our 3 rescued mutts are in great shape. We just added a third. He’s a little man on stilts name slim jim. When we got him he had no idea what do with this ridiculously long legs. He has made our family so much better!

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Megan K.

When you know, you know! Somehow all of our rescues have been purebreds but I do sometimes worry about breed-related health problems. We just have 2 now (we had to say goodbye to Piper last month) but I think I could do three again.. maybe!

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Amy

I love it! 🥰

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julia

this is a beautiful story! thank you for adopting rescues!

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Sherri

A post about rescue dogs – SO awesome, thank you Megan! I have 3 rescue pups of my own, all lab mixes – a 12+ year old tripod (he’d been amputated at 7 mos old (I was told car accident) and I adopted him at 9 mos old), a 7+ year old (who thinks the world revolves around her, lol), and my newest addition as of a few months ago, a 1+ year old (who had no training before in life, so OMG we are working on that!). I also have rescue cats. Every one of them is absolutely awesome!!

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Megan K.

I have a soft spot for tripods. Just love them!! My girl Piper always thought the world revolved around her too. She was honestly right though. Good luck with training. Always hard but always worth it!

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Starla

Love hearing how Tucker became part of your life! Beautiful boy! Congratulations on finding your poodle. 🎉 And a big yay for rescue dogs. ❤️💕 I don’t know what life would be like without my two girls Claire and Ruby. May all the doggies live long and prosper! 🖖

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Megan K.

Yes! 🖖

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zo

Aww, what a beautiful story. Tucker is a bit of a boy Diva. He’s beautiful.

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Megan K.

he really is, especially right after a haircut! 🐩

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Lawden

This really made my day! Just recently rescued a puppy ( from a dang brown box on the side of a busy highway! Ugh sometimes I really dislike people!) he has been a bit crazy and hasn’t been jiving with my old Maltese ( he’s the boss of the house) but this reminds me to keep at him and never give up bc he has so much love to give! I can deal with his craziness bc of this alone lol💗 I hope Meghans post helps more ppl rescue a dog (or cat) in need!

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Megan K.

I hate how you found your new friend but I am so glad you found him! I hope there is peace in your home sooner rather than later. I know that can be super stressful!

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Kim Ransom

He is gorgeous. Well done. I’ve been fostering dogs while I’m home

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