Monday, December 29, 2008

The Duke

Many of you had asked about Duke. I have been putting my thoughts together to post on him. But I never thought my post would turn into a memorial. My precious Duke was hit and killed on a country road Saturday morning.

The husband and I left the house early to go to the lease place to check/feed cattle. As we pulled out of the lease gate, the husband got a call from our neighbor. He said he saw Duke alongside the road. I could tell by the husband's conversation, it was not good. Our plans for the day were no longer important. As we made our way home, it came a downpour. Thoughts were racing thru my head...maybe it's not Duke, maybe he's only hurt and we can rush him to the vet. As we got closer to the house, my heart dropped. We found him along the road in a field. I jumped out of the the truck and went to him. As the rain poured and the tears streamed, I knealt down in the mud and stroked his sweet head. His beautiful life had been extinguished. The husband grabbed me and put me in the truck. I sat there bawling as he placed Duke on the flatbed. Then he drove us both home.

The husband buried Duke on the tank dam overlooking the place. He said that was the last place he saw him sitting. We had went out to the tank on Christmas and let the dogs play. His grave is marked with a wooden cross along with his collar and tags. As I cried at his grave yesterday, the husband hugged me and said, "He was a good dog. He will continue to look over us from here." Yes he was and I know he will be in my heart forever.


31 comments:

kdwhorses said...

Oh Kit I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss of Duke. I'm shedding tears along with you, what a great tribute to a wonderful dog. Love the picture of him. ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

I'm wiping away the tears...

I am so very very sorry to hear about Duke!

That Janie Girl said...

Kit,

I'm crying with y'all. We lost our precious Zoie in much the same way, except it was right before our eyes.

Maybe Duke is playing with Zoie, even now, at the Rainbow Bridge....

Love and hugs to y'all. Duke was a beautiful boy and I know you love him greatly.

“You've given your heart for a dog to tear.”
–Rudyard Kipling, The Power of The Dog

Bekah said...

Im crying with you my dear friend. Im so sorry for you and your loss, dogs have a special place in our hearts. He seemed like a good boy, I'll be praying for you guys.

I know how hard this is, it tears your heart out.

Anonymous said...

Cryin' along with you both... very sorry for your loss.

gtyyup said...

Awww I'm so sorry to hear about Duke, he was such a handsome guy...the tears are flowin'...he certainly will be waiting for you at the Bridge.

Hugs to you both~~

Libby's Library said...

Oh Kit, I am so, so, so, sorry. My heart aches for you.
I will be sending you an email with some "words" that have helped me overcome the horrible loss of some of my beloved "babies". With Love...Libby

CindyDianne said...

The loss of a beloved pet is so dang traumatic. I cry for you. I am so very sorry for your loss.

CindyDianne said...

You have an award at my place.

Anonymous said...

Oh Kit, I'm crying with you too. I'm so sorry for you loss and I know it's never ever easy.

RURAL said...

So very, very sorry for your loss.
What a beautiful memorial post.

Jen

The Wife said...

I have come across such great people thru this dang blog! Y'all are all so sweet. Thanks for all the loving thoughts.

I promise to not be a Debbie Downer anymore.

Thanks again! (((Hugs))) to all!

Train Wreck said...

GULP.... Oh my dear sister! I wish I could get on a plane...(yes I would fly for you!)Knock on your door, and share a bottle of well aged Boones wine with you! Maybe two. I cried as I read your post. I cried for you, I cried for Your Grand Duke, I cried for all the pain you are feeling, because I know all to well what it feels like. Your hubby is right he will continue to watch over you. He will silently gaurd you now.((hugs)) my friend.

OMG! My word verification is "PRAYERS!" That my friend is a sign....

Anonymous said...

That is a great picture and thats were I'll remeber him also.
Love you Pop's.

Lil Mama said...

I am so sorry!

Unknown said...

Oh girl my heart goes out to you and your husband! I'm so very sad for you! It is never easy to lose a special pet because they fill so much of our life and hearts. I hope you are okay and am sending hugs and prayers your way.

Tatersmama said...

I'm crying as well... and I'm so very sorry for your loss. It always amazes me that as much as we can love our furry family, they give us so much more than we even realize.

*big hugs*

Pony Girl said...

Oh no, I'm getting ready to go see Marley & Me and I was debating mascara because I know I'm going to bawl...good thing I didn't put any on because now I'm bawling about Duke! I'm so sorry to hear about his passing. Pet become such a part of the family and it's so hard to let go. Know that you are in my thoughts today!

Far Side of Fifty said...

I am so sorry. Duke was such a ham that day you took all the Christmas Card photos. Young and restless showing his butt and all! Hopefully your good memories will help you through the tears and sadness. You said it well..he is in your heart forever. My sympathy.

Dot O said...

I had to stop by your blog to pay my respects for your loss of Duke.

I am sending prayers and hugs your way.

Faithful said...

Sorry to hear about the loss of your loving dog, Duke. My grand-daugter, Kaitlyn's just lost her beloved heeler "Pepper" 3 days ago. She is very upset but we just tell her our animal friends are here to enjoy for their short time with us. We, too, buried her beside my 32 year old horse to raom free.

Mikey said...

I am so sorry to hear you lost Duke. It's so hard to lose a good dog. Our thoughts and prayers are with you for sure.

BloggessJ said...

I am soooo sorry to hear you lost Duke. The sad part is whoever hit him just left him there....sometimes people can really SUCK. We're a little over a month out from having to put our oldest dog to sleep so I totally know how you feel. I cried the whole day right up to and through the whole process.

Tami Weingartner said...

...Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh & talk of me as if I were beside you...I loved you so--twas' heaven here with you.

That quote was on a memorial candle that I bought my husband when his very beloved Cleo was killed two years ago. He missed her dreadfully...I finally bought him Clarice. But he still talks about Cleo. The candle helped. We would light it in the evening just as it got dark and keep it burning till we went to bed.

I hope your heart mends...and know that across the country there is someone in PA that is gutted for you.

Andrea said...

I'm so sorry about Duke...it sounds like he was a great dog. I know you must have wonderful memories of him. I stopped by via a comment through Tatersmama...so glad I did.

The W.O.W. factor! said...

OMG, Kit,
I am so sorry..........my heart is breaking for you! Our pets have been such an intrical part of our lives too, their loss remains forever in our hearts..
I am so glad you have some beautiful pix to cherish Duke by! Our pictures in our memories, albeit sharp, do fade some over time and with your real photos, he can remain a vivid part of your life, your hearts and your memories!
{{{{Here's a huge hug}}}} my sweet friend~
Barb

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so sorry about Duke. It's tough losing a beloved animal friend. Hang on to your memories, they help to ease the pain.

Heather said...

This is when I hate that I don't check in on my blog every day. I'm so sorry for your loss. You wrote a wonderful tribute and story, brought tears to my eyes!

Ed said...

Sorry, my mom has had a bad year,loosing 2 cats to coyotes we think.

threecollie said...

Oh, dear, I left you a comment on your other blog about what a magnificent dog I thought he was..and now to see that you lost him! I am so terribly sorry!

Jen's Farmily said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Duke! Our house sits very close to the road, and even though we're out in the country we have people who come speedin' by. So far we've lost a dog, a cat, and two chickens to getting hit by a car. Losing a pet is horrible. I'm so sorry.