I'm sorry Bill, losing a friend like that hurts like hell, I've gone thru two of these that tore me completely apart, made me cry like a baby; I feel your hurt.
One was a Thumper the cat of 16 years and the other was Sam the JRT of 17 years (Techically my daughters dog, she grew up with him and loved him like no other) , and before that I didn't know it was possible to feel that horrible.
Good luck to you and remember the good...you'll always have it in your heart
By the way, Tucker was a beautiful dog, what a noble animal...
I'm gonna recommend a few books that might be of help to you, they were to me, and every time I read them I still cry and laugh both
Big Little Life-Dean Koontz.....
The Art of Racing in the Rain-Garth Stien...An especially joyful rememberance
Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish-Mark Levine