07/06/2025
An Ode to Duke - The Best Boy
You were so much more than our best friend.
You were family. Our 3rd son. Our brother.
The king of our castle.
We are eternally grateful you found us.
June 11, 2015 - You came home to us, the best birthday present ever.
10 years wasn’t enough. No amount of time would be.
You enriched our lives more than you will ever know.
Unconditional love. Tail always wagging.
Sitting by the door, greeting us with a smile, hopping like a bunny.
Always by our side; In the Car, On the plane, Riding the bow, Leading the skin track, Pulling us through the woods.
Sniffing, Sniffing Sniffing…..never enough sniffing.
You’d swim for hours, fetching till my arm tired.
You made great friends: Ipo, Bhodi, Gibbs, Copper, Carl, Joe, Remy…..
Come to think of it, you made friends every where you went.
Always grateful for a scratch, belly or butt rub.
The only dog that enjoyed watching fireworks.
You spoke to us, literally.
Our favorite time was the whole family laying in bed with you talking to us.
You knew how to spell.
Communicated with your eyes.
You loved to watch TV, especially surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding and the occasional movie.
Tug of war for days on end.
Chasing you around the yard for hours - “I’m gonna get you!”
Standing watch over Coral St. from the cool garage floor.
Studying wind in the trees through the railing on the deck.
Always in the shadow of your Mom.
Always in the middle of the action.
Always the focus of our collective love.
The house feels empty without you.
Your bed in the corner, toys scattered about.
The pitter patter of your paws ring no more.
The memories are vivid. All of them warm our hearts.
When we are sad, we will think of you.
It is so so hard to say goodbye to our bestest boy.
But you will live on in our hearts for the rest of our days.
Our big baby.
Our Dukey Bear.
We thank you.
We love you.
We miss you.