Tucker's DNA Analysis

Since I waited nearly 40 years to have a dog, I thought I could wait patiently for his DNA analysis.  but like every client who does a regular Paternity Test, I couldn't wait for the results and so I sent one of those messages to the lab - saying where are my results, I submitted the DNA samples on such and such a date and why don't I have my results?  The lab was as patient with me about providing DNA Test results as The DNA Lady is with most of the clients who come in for a Paternity or other family relationship test.  There are those clients who test  your patience and good will, with call after call looking for results, even though you have explained that results on regular Paternity tests are available in 3 business days and results on other biological confirmatory tests take longer maybe 5 full business days and sometimes up to 10 business days if extended analysis is needed.  No matter I understand the anxiety that takes place when you are waiting for such important information and even though Tucker is just a dog - his DNA was just as important to me.

Although Tucker is a pure breed in my book, the DNA analysis concluded that 75% of Tucker's DNA is actually that of Pure Breed English Springer Spaniel.  The other 25% of Tucker's DNA may be English Springer Spaniel, or may be of a breed that is not in this particular lab's data base or may be such a low amount of a particular breed that identfication is not detectable.  He's still a pure breed in my book and no amount of mixed DNA analysis will change the way I feel when I walk in the door at night and he jumps a foot off the floor - even with his arthritic joints - just because he is happy to see someone. 

There's no feeling in the world when you are receiving unconditional joy and that is what Tucker brings.  After a long week of work, or perhaps a particularly trying day of returning DNA results to doubting dads and new moms - watching this beautiful, brown eyed guy jump up and own just because I walk in the door - can't be beat.  By the way, he'll do the same thing if you hold a carrot or apple in front of him.  And he has great manners, you say "nice" to him and you can actually see him think about it and take the carrot or apple from your hand gently and as far away from your hand that he can bite.

Although his DNA report indicates that this breed is obedient, Tucker is not always obedient.  He'll run up on a neighbor's lawns - probably they have a dog in side and he's looking for some fun.  Since he's a hunting dog, maybe they have a bird and he's just doing his job.  No matter, it takes a few calls, and then a stern "heel" and he's back at my side walking.  Considering that he is from a shelter and then a dog rescue (A.R.F. in East Brunswick, NJ) I would not expect Tucker to be as perfect an Angel as he is - but he really is anyway.  He particularly loved the snow, he woud climb on all the mounds of snow at the corners of the blocks and then dig deep down into the mound as if he found a treasure.  (I think there were just layer's of other dog's scents that he was picking up)  Our neighbor's dog, actually plays catch with snowballs.  Tucker although he loves to play with Buddy, will actually steal Buddy's bones.  He's still my angel and thankfully  Buddy's owner is understanding and patient with Tucker.  Bones are important to a dog - I think it is like electronics with my husband - the more you have the better.  So Tucker steals a bone now and then.

Old wives tales say that husbands and wives  start to look like each other and eventually you all start to look like the dog.  Well, we would be happy to look as handsome as Tucker.  He has the saddest brown eyes, beautiful curly brown & white hair and a sweeping tail.  Thankfully no one docked his tail before we owned him - how could anyone think of docking a dog's tail?  How would I know if he was happy if that tail wasn't wagging?  His eyes are often red rimmed and I can certainly remember a few early mornings in the 1970's (that's another blog) ... Today both Tucker and myself have allergies and so our eyes get red and teary.    With the winter that NJ just had, I cannot imagine what the Spring allergy season will bring.

The sad part about the DNA test is the health problems.  We can already see some of the tendency toward hip dysplasia - his back leg is a little weak and sometimes seems tender.  No matter - he still jumps up and down when he's happy.  Funny, he has a tendency to improperly metabolize glucose - so do a few family members - so we'll all benefit by staying away from those carbohydrates.  We all could use more carrots and apples then pancakes!

The Doggie DNA Analysis also listed certain breed behaviors to expect - like Tucker wants to be with people and other dogs as much as possible.  He will enter a room and look around, first for food, then for a comfortable spot and as long as there are people or the company of another animal around - Tucker is happy.  Luckily Tucker is in the company of a cat - that he has decided is not edible or mountable - just there and not giving up her space.  In fact, she has picked up some of Tucker's habits, like looking for treats in between meals.  Tucker is sociable, as his DNA describes him - in fact, just walking Tucker around the neighborhood these few shorts months, I've met more neighbors and actually talked to them then I did in the last 7 years - yeah that Tucker is the social butterfly in this family.  There are the teenage boys that Tucker barked at for a few minutes and they barked back at him (as only a group of suburgan teenage boys can bark)  "get a bird"., they just didn't understand his need for friends and playtime.  When Tucker sees a group of guys, he thinks - "yeah, it's play time - let's get ruff"!  He's full of fun, he's open about what he wants and has no reason to expect that you won't give in to him.

So, all in all, we did a DNA Test on our dog, waiting patiently and don't care what the results say - Tucker is the best dog in the world.