goodbye.

Okay. So I sat here for a bit before I could even begin writing this post. 

We said goodbye to Duke last night. It was his time. And he had some really good years. Not so much the last six months or so. 

A constant companion to Zach, who was an only child for eleven years, and the pick of the litter. He was named after the original Duke, John Wayne. Zach didn't have a sister or brother to play with and Duke was his buddy. They "played" basketball together, climbed mountains, built forts, went on runs and there were hours and hours logged as Duke chased many a tennis ball and stick thrown by Zach.

As the girls got older, and I didn't need to be outside with them every single minute, Duke took over as their Mama watching over them and keeping them in line. It was a common sight for Duke, Natasha {in the lead} and Rascal to take their morning walk together about 9am. It brought him joy, we could tell that. He was such a lovable dog. Always wanting to please, always ready to go for a walk and he had puppy dog eyes like you wouldn't believe. 

On cold winter days and nights, you could find Tasha and Rascal snuggled in close with Duke as he protected them from the cold. Snuggle buddies. Poor Scout. He, too, loved Duke. He knows something is just not right. Poor guy. 

Zach knew from his last visit home that Duke was not doing well but this will still be tough to take. It is for us and we've seen him lose a bit of his old self as each day passed and knew this day would come.  Duke is, and always was, Zach's dog. He lit up when he saw Zach. 

So long Clem Cadiddlehopper, we weren't ready for you to leave us yet.