Breaking the Bank but Still Lovin my Pup

Tucker Jean, who shares the same middle name as my mom so she cannot say I didn't name my first born child after her is my sweet 100 (used to be 111) pound Bernese Mountain Dog.  The vet said he was (in hushed voices) overweight and he needed to drop some lbs to keep his hips and back from giving out.  Being a little chubby is normally the biggest concern owners have for their pets.  Tucker is by no means normal. 

I scooped Tucker up in May of 2010 at the ripe old age of 6 weeks old.  He was home for six full days when we realized Tuck was a parvo pup.  Four vet visits, and a three day hospitalization and against all odds, parvo pup SURVIVED!

What I've learned in the past two and a half years is that parvo pup also has an unprecedented number of allergies, has to eat extremely expensive dog food, hates cats and has been attacked by one, has had two hematomas, two ear surgeries, takes multiple pills per day, and is a hemophiliac.  He has been bandaged up for the past two weeks because every time we attempt to take it off he starts to bleed profusely.  Apparently hemophilia is a rarity in dogs but no surprised Tuck is effected by the very disease.  My boy is a free bleeder.  I know this well as I have worn his blood all over my face and clothes numerous times the past few days. 

Tucker also spent two weeks at camp as a pup and still doesn't listen.  That may be partially my fault but you try to discipline a dog that is the same height as you on his hind legs and is as strong as an ox. 

Regardless of the ridiculous amounts of money Tucker continues to cost me, he's extremely cute, sweet, and very protective of the kids, so I love the stinker anyway.  Here's to hoping Tuck's upcoming $350 allergy test can answer so many of our unanswered questions and that parvo, allergic, hemophiliac pup gets well soon.

Yes, I'm adding photos of the little/big guy...