Duke...Always a part of us

How ironic that I update the previous post with Duke's health status only to find that, a few days later, the signs of the end of his life would be upon us. Duke was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and the difficult and painful decision to put him to rest resulted. The vet said we may get 6 months with some strong pain meds but that this type of cancer metastasizes easily. As you'll see below, the life before him would have been of no quality when compared with his past. And so, I'd like to share his life with you, in remembrance.

Duke was born and adopted in Minnesota just as I was starting PT school. In fact, Josh called me the day I was moving into my apartment to tell me about him. Josh was living there in a training program for his job and decided he needed a companion. How thankful we all are that he made that decision! This is the youngest photo we can find of Duke...small-ish and gangly, but of course ready to play!

Shortly thereafter, Josh and I officially started dating and we became "Josh, Stacie & Duke."

Josh took him everywhere with him so he traveled really, really well...and therefore, we took him everywhere with us! We were entertained frequently by looking back in the car and only seeing feet and legs in the air above the seat!

He was like our first child...he loved to snuggle:

We celebrated his birthday with candles and F.rosty P.aws...he loved the ice cream, but wasn't so sure about the candles!

And yes, this was kinda gross...he usually would lick your chin, but in this position, I just wasn't tall enough!

Long story short...we made it official and just had to have some wedding photos with him:)

Duke was around to welcome new family members...as gentle as only he could...

He held his own, however, with his place in our family! Long ago, we bought plastic baby pools just for him so he did not hesitate to take a dip in the one we bought for the kids!

He knew how to open gifts...

He could always find a warm, sunny place to snooze...

He loved, loved, loved his yard.

He helped with all kinds of home renovations...most recently, the shed in the backyard.

He loved life and we loved life with him. Here are some more reasons:

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  He was such a presence in our home...he was an extra set of eyes/ears for our safety and a sweet, loving boy to keep you company.


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  He would greet you anytime you came home, even though toward the end it was with a tail wag and a squinty, smiling face.


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  He knew when we pulled off the expressway to get to my mom's...he would whine and we were always amazed at how he knew where we were.


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  He was a concerned "big brother" when Aaron would cry as a newborn...and a sweet helper in putting Emily to bed, right up until the end.


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  He LOVED bedtime...if you said "Duke, let's go to bed," he was up and halfway to the bedroom before you could blink an eye. Often, if Josh went to bed before me, he'd go with him, but eventually would come out to check on me as if to say, "are you coming?"


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  He used to come to the side of the bed on a night when it was just changing to a cooler season, place his paw next to you and wait to be invited in. Inevitably, he'd start out in a sweet ball at the foot of the bed, only to later stretch out AND run in his sleep.


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  You could always tell that all was right in his world if he was sucking on a toy or his blanket, who we affectionately referred to as his "girlfriend."


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  He always alerted us to the arrival of mail/packages.


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  He was patient and graciously stepped back when we began putting the kids needs ahead of his.

It is so weird to be in our home without him. We miss him greatly even a week later. He was an extremely good boy...and to say that doesn't even begin to cover it.

We love you Duke...see you again someday buddy:)