A Prayer for Tucker Budzyn

Kodiak’s Blog

Hey Pack, Kodiak here. 🐾

This is a hard one to write.

I never got to meet Tucker Budzyn.

But I really wanted to.

I used to dream about getting invited over to Tucker’s house and going swimming with Tucker and his son Todd in their pool. We’d fetch those floaty things they always played with, wrestle around, rub ourselves all over the grass afterward and probably make a complete mess.

Then I wanted Tucker and Todd to come to San Diego.

I would’ve taken them to the beach with me and shown them the ocean. We could’ve gone swimming, chased waves and done all the things dogs are supposed to do when they’re together.

I always thought maybe someday we’d actually get to do it.

Now we won’t.

When Dad told me that Tucker had gone over the Rainbow Bridge, it hit me really hard.

It hit the whole CDP hard.

Because Tucker was a hero to us.

He represented so many of the things we try to be in the Cardiff Dog Pack.

Loyal.

Protective.

A good friend.

A good family member.

And just a really, really good dog.

Millions of people knew Tucker because he was funny and made them smile. But one of the things I always admired most was how much he loved his family.

When his mom wasn’t feeling good, Tucker would stay right there with her.

That’s what a good dog does.

You don’t have to fix everything.

Sometimes you just stay.

Tucker did that.

And I think that’s one of the reasons so many people who never actually met him feel like they lost a friend this week.

We understand that feeling.

Because we never met him either.

But we loved him.

So the CDP had a meeting.

We took a vote.

It was unanimous.

Tucker Budzyn is officially a member of the Cardiff Dog Pack forever.

There’s no application.

No membership fee.

No initiation.

And you don’t ever lose your spot in this Pack.

Welcome to the CDP, Tucker. 🐾

My friend Steve is the newest member of the CDP, and he’s been teaching the rest of us how to pray.

Steve said a really nice prayer for Tucker and his family.

I’m still pretty new at this praying thing.

I’m not very good at it yet.

But Steve says that’s okay.

He says you don’t have to have the perfect words. You just have to talk to God.

So I’d like to say one for Tucker.

A Prayer for Tucker

Father,

My heart is heavy.

Really heavy.

I don’t even feel like eating treats or anything.

I lost a hero this week.

A fellow Pack leader I never got to meet, but one I really admired.

Please welcome Tucker into Your arms.

Please be with his mom, his dad, his son Todd and his whole family. They’re hurting right now, so please stay close to them and comfort them.

I don’t understand why You called Tucker over the bridge.

These things are very confusing to me.

But I know he’s in Your arms now.

And I think maybe You needed him for an assignment on the other side.

Whatever that assignment is, You got a really good dog.

Please tell Tucker how much he meant to everyone down here.

Tell him there are dogs he’s never met in a little Pack by the beach in California who looked up to him.

And tell him he made the CDP.

Forever.

Thank You for giving the world Tucker.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

Rest easy, Tucker.

Someday maybe we’ll finally get that swim together.

Until then, you’ve got a spot in our Pack.

Tucker Budzyn — CDP Forever. 🐾🌈

— Kodiak