Duke, Good Ol' Boy
Duke came to us from WAMAL/CAMEO malamute rescues in 2005. We renamed Prezzie, Karma because we hoped she would bring good karma to my last remaining malamute, Hunter. He was suffering lonely after his mama Gypsy died. Karma was probably 5 or 6 when we got her, so she was a good companion for our old boy. Hunter enjoyed his last couple of years in her care and company. Over time, Karmie's nickname became Duke. "Duke ol' boy's a good ol' boy", I'd tell her. One day I accidentally called her "good boy", and she really liked that. I guess the other dogs all got called "good boy" and she only ever got called "good girl". So the day she finally became a "good boy" was huge for her! Her name and gender was always fun to joke about, we'd sing "Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke's a girl, girl girl" to her and she'd wag and dance.
She was one of those dogs that never even once needed reprimanded. Just a good dog. One summer day I was floating around in the pond in a 1-man inflatable raft and she was so concerned for my safety that she waded out, grabbed my oar and pulled me to shore. She went to the extra length to pull me behind a clump of grass so as not to float out there again! She would also rail at Turbo for swimming. Duke didn't swim, she waded. Anyone who went out beyond good solid footing was crazy in her book and she would tell you all about it. She loved her pond though.
Six weeks ago she was rippin' around playing and healthy considering her 10+ years. Four weeks ago she started limping and a vet visit diagnosed her with an osteosarcoma on her upper arm. Nothing could be done. Her bone cancer was aggressive and took her from us quickly. All we could do was control the pain and get ready to say goodbye.
She went sweetly Tuesday morning. Monday she told me as plainly as she could, "it's just not working for me anymore mom." She enjoyed her ride in the truck, she got to eat half a bag of her favorite treats, her friend the vet came outside for us and administered to her as she lay with her head in my lap, in the pickup bed her aunt Jan on the other side sharing love and stroking her brow.
She's buried out by her pond, next to her buddy Hunter. I chipped out a foot of snow and built a fire to thaw the ground enough so Dennis could dig out her grave. This summer I'm going to plant a pair of holly trees over them (fenced of course so Cody and Turbo don't decimate them).
Cody and Turbo are quiet today, not quite sure how to act without ol' Uncle Duke around to ride herd on them. Dennis and I are sad and we miss her but we know she is not in any more pain.
God bless ya Duke. You were a good old boy. Have fun now, running with the rest of the Lupine Spirit pack and I'll see you when I get there.
Hunter and Duke sharing the love seat
Duke's Happy Duke Face
Marley the GR, Toby the mini-aussie and Magi the GR are proud graduates of Intermediate level! Next step is Advanced and working toward that CGC!
