Duke was my 13-year-old Pekingese. He enjoyed napping and smelling things. He was the best.
You can pay your respects here. (They'll stay private.)
.We’d like to thank everyone who’s offered us kind words of support here, on Duke’s Facebook page, and via text and email. We miss him so much, and all the nice things you’ve shared with us have helped us in our time of mourning.
We’ll continue to post old photos we find, or other things that help us remember what a fun, sweet dog Duke was. Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean we’ll want to stop sharing all the memories we made with him.
I’m sorry to report that Duke passed away tonight. He stuck with us through kidney and heart failure. He was a sweetheart, and a loyal companion. He was my best friend.
Over the last couple weeks his appetite dwindled, and Amy and I gave him his food and pills via feeding syringe. He still wanted to go on walks, and smell leaves, and sit with us. Then, in the last couple days his health got worse. He cried when we fed him, and he didn’t want to go on walks anymore. We could tell it was his time.
He left us peacefully, at the vet’s office, surrounded by Amy, myself, the vet tech who took care of him whenever we went out of town, and the veterinarian who took such good care of him.
We’ve enjoyed getting so many messages from all of you about how much you’ve enjoyed following Duke’s adventures, and we’ve loved sharing them with all of you.
We still have so many pictures and memories of our favorite little guy to share, so this blog will continue to be what it always was: a loving tribute to Duke.
Rest in peace, little buddy. We miss you.
Love this guy.
Duke had a checkup at the vet on Tuesday. He was super excited!
This weekend we took Duke with us to Michigan. Amy got him a basket that hangs from a head rest in the back seat so he can look out the window while we travel. Instead, he just rested his chin on the edge of the basket and looked at Amy the whole time.
This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful that our little buddy Duke is still with us despite him being diagnosed with both kidney and heart failure. We love him so much, and we’re grateful he’s still around.
Last night we came home to find Duke sleeping on his fluffy white rug. He was sound asleep right up until I got close to take a photo, then he got up.
His face is usually asymmetrical when he first wakes up, and I think that’s great. He looks just a little disoriented, then he’ll usually perk up and pay attention to you.
This is how he wanted to sleep. Butt against my leg, face in the pillows.
We gave Duke a bath last week! He was a good sport about it.
The other day I came home and the power was out! So, after I took Duke out for his walk, I sat him down on the couch before I sat nearby and read a book.
At first, Duke sat comfortably between the beams of light coming from two flashlights I’d set up, but then he got up and moved so one of the lights shone directly on his face. I don’t get it.
This morning I took Duke for a walk and he insisted on going down this alley and smelling all the dumpsters. I really like how this photo turned out.
mishasaysrawr asked: How's Duke been feeling lately? What is his diagnosis? Wishing him all the best! If I knew him, he'd get lots of belly scratches.
Duke was very tired and sick for a while, but then we put him on a new medication in the last two weeks he’s been feeling much, much better. Here’s what he has to say:
“Hi, there! I have good days and bad days just like any other 91-year-old. But the pills they’re giving me are doing the trick and I still like to go on my walks around the block and look for hamburger patties in the bushes! I’m not really enjoying this fancy health food they’ve got me on, but my doctor says I might come around soon enough. We’ll see. Give me a hamburger in a bush any day! I’m 91 — I deserve it!”
Duke strutted around town in his banana costume on Halloween, too.
“Ha ha, guys. I get it. It’s funny because I’m illiterate.”
“I don’t care if all the jack-o-lanterns are rotted and Starbucks replaced the pumpkin lattes with peppermint mochas. It’s still autumn to me.”
