In Memory of Duke

Today has been rough.  This will not be a post about a recipe or my latest creation.  It will be a post about our family pet that we lost today.

I'm writing this because I know many of my readers are animal lovers and even if you are not I hope you can understand what love a pet can give to a family.

I remember the very first time I laid eyes on this little black lab.  My husband {then boyfriend} walked into the bank where I was working at the time carrying a round little ball of black fur.  He had been saying for weeks how he'd like to get a companion for our golden retriever.  I was against it.  At the time we were living in a one bedroom apartment and not yet married.

But of course, the husband didn't listen and brought him home.  Two weeks later he left for the police academy for 12 weeks.  This little pup and I had no choice but to become fast friends.  He was my buddy, along with our golden retriever who eventually started to like the little rambunctious guy.

Our Duke traveled with us through four different homes, many different jobs and the arrival of our children.  He was the happiest dog you would have ever met.  Like a typical lab, his energy level was huge.  At times I hated that.  At times I regretted getting him because it was a lot of work with two big dogs.  And now I am regretting even thinking that thought.

This is what I LOVED about Duke {or Dukie, as we liked to call him}.  I preferred walking him over our golden retriever because he never pulled on the leash.  He greeted us at the door like we had been gone for a year.  He would play catch for hours.  He loved water.  He'd swim all day if we let him.  He treated our kids like they were gold.  He was the best cuddler.

He was just perfect.

In the end, the last few months, although he just turned 8 this week, had gotten tough.  He had been suffering from constant diarrhea.  But, you know, his spirits were never down.  He acted like the same dog, so in a way I think that is why we tried to ignore it.  Medication after medication wasn't working.  Then this morning, after having him stay at the vet this past week in a controlled environment our vet told us there wasn't much more for us to do.

We could try exploratory surgery, only to probably find disease or cancer.  We couldn't do that to him.  So taking our turns this morning, the husband and I said our goodbyes.  It was awful.  He thought we came there to take him home.  He was so excited.

So today, has been filled with tears.  And what causes the most grief is that our kids miss him dearly and yet do not understand why he is gone.  Not to mention our golden retriever who looks incredibly lonely.  She lost her best friend.

So here's to Duke.  The greatest pet one could ask for.  He blessed us for 8 years and I'm sure is already blessing those up above.

We love you Duke.