In Memorium of Duke

A few weeks ago, we noticed that Duke was limping. Dale took him into our vet who eventually diagnosed him with a sprained ACL and told us to let him be lazy for 4 weeks. He wasn't eating much and was pretty lethargic, but we thought he was just resting his leg...we could tell he was in pain.


Last Sunday Dale was pretty worried that it was more than Duke's ACL because all of his legs seemed to be in pain. I was going to take him to the vet on Tuesday, but suddenly Duke was up, eating and walking around more so we were hopeful that he was healing.

Wednesday Duke threw up during the day, and again before we went to bed so we decided I'd better take him in Thursday.

Thursday morning I woke up to find that he had passed away during the night in our hallway. It was traumatic and hard for us to comprehend. The boys took it especially hard and cried. Kimball was late to school, and Cameron told us when he got home that the had to just not think about Duke or else he would cry. We had no idea that he was that sick or that close to dying. He's been with us for over 6 years and is part of so many family memories.

When Lily was a baby, sometimes the only thing that could get her to stop crying was if Dale sat on the floor with her so she could pet Duke. She would laugh and scream in delight.

Becca loved chasing Duke around with an exercise ball. Just days before he died we had told her she couldn't climb on him (he was SO patient with her) because he had owies. She went and got her doll blanket and spread it over him.

Kimball would often sit with Duke and pet him. He would defend Duke if I got overly upset with him.

We got Duke the day Cameron turned 4...I'm not sure if Cameron really remembers life before Duke.

These past few weeks, Duke was clearly in pain, but he still loved to come lie by us at night after the kids were in bed while we watched a show. He would nuzzle up to us and wait for us to pet him. He had the softest fur and the most beautiful eyes.

He was meant to join our family. All those years ago Dale had been wanting a dog, but I was fighting it tooth and nail. On Cameron's birthday, I had to run to Walmart to get birthday supplies. As we were leaving, I saw someone giving away puppies in the parking lot and felt like I should stop so Cameron could look at the puppies. As I looked at the puppies, I saw Duke and felt very impressed that I was supposed to take him home. I tried looking at female puppies (I didn't want a boy), but still felt strongly that Duke was meant to be ours.

I asked the owner if I could bring him back if Dale didn't want him (he said yes), so I took Duke to Dale's work and surprised him. I think they both fell in love and the rest is history.

 We miss hearing his tail thump when we walk in the room, I miss having his help keeping the kitchen floor clean, and the kids are full of questions about life and death as they try to cope with the sudden loss of our family pet/friend. Goodbye faithful friend...