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There he was... He had knocked over all of the other puppies and said pick me. Duke came into our lives and it was forever changed. When fully grown, he weighed over 105 pounds.Heroic and strong, yet so gentle and kind. A beautiful White Shepherd with boundless energy. Duke could and would pick up huge rocks in his mouth and the guys on the construction site would marvel at his strength. He worked in construction daily with his Dad and came home hungry and dirty from the job sites. He would be at the back door with a face full of mud, head down, feeling contrite. I would say, "Dukie, get in the tub please, and then you can have your dinner." There he went. He would be sitting in the tub patiently waiting for his bath. One night as we were clearing the dinner dishes, Duke was lying under the table. A few plates remained, one holding a full stick of butter. I said Dukie, be right back, don't touch anything. Returning in 2 minutes, there he was slowly raising his head with butter dripping from all over his sweet face. One night, 3 coyotes were stalking our neighborhood. They were just about to capture their first victim, a neighbor's cat when Duke sprung into action and chased them down the street. With no concern for his own safety, he had saved 'Fritter'. Duke woke us up at 3 a.m. R.J.followed him to the front door and opened it. Duke raced across the street with R.J. in tow barking incessantly. He had smelled smoke and saved the neighbor's home and lives. He gave new meaning to man's best friend. Duke's genetics burdened him with "Hip Dysplasia". From vitamins to injections, to swimming daily to surgery, we were able to keep it under control so that he led a full, happy and pain free life for several years. But the condition worsened. In his final days, at the age of 7, he had lost all movement and control as the paralysis took over his body. Duke passed away on Valentine's Day. We were at his side, sending him to his next adventure with love and kisses. We knew through our deep loss that he had gone to a better place, free of pain and suffering. We thank him for all of the joy, laughter and love that he gave to us. There would never be a day that we would not miss him. Love never dies...

For Duke with love.









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