Lisa Walsh has worked for years on behalf of people with disabilities, much of it with her service dog, Tucker, by her side.

So despite her sadness after Tucker's death in a car accident Monday, she wants to celebrate Tucker's life. "We had some difficult challenges, and we had some fun things," Walsh said. "He was a godsend, and he was my partner in crime."

Walsh was driving Tucker to his day care before heading to work when she was hit by another vehicle at an intersection. Neither Walsh nor the other driver was seriously injured, but her van and her wheelchair were totaled. And Tucker, who'd been lying on the back seat, was killed.

"I just saw his body humped over the back seat, and I knew," Walsh said Thursday from her apartment in south St. Louis County.

About a dozen framed photos sat on a table: Walsh and Tucker posing together outside; Tucker jumping out of Walsh's van; Walsh and Tucker heading to a Cardinals game, each clutching "Go Crazy Folks" signs, hers in her hands and his in his mouth. Bandanas hung from a bone-shaped hook with Tucker's name on it.

Walsh got Tucker about 12 years ago. Tucker already knew 42 commands, and Walsh taught him 20 more. He could pick up keys if she dropped them. He could turn the light switch on and off on command. He could even grip her sleeve in his mouth and tug to help her remove a jacket.

He went with her to work, most recently at Paraquad, where she is a transition specialist for people with disabilities.

Walsh took Tucker with her when she advocated for people with disabilities and showed him off at school presentations so kids could learn about service animals.

"What Tuck was was an advocate for other service dogs," said Kathy Bechtel, Walsh's assistant. "He was so good, he showed what a service animal could be. He was the best."

Tucker retired from work a few years ago but still kept Walsh company at home.

Walsh is sad about Tucker but said she'll probably be more emotional when she has time. She has to replace her van and her wheelchair. And she's moving up plans to get a new guide dog from next year to this fall.