I just lost my best buddy! We only had DUKE for a very short time as he was an injured resuce dog. He along with his little pal PERKY came running down our street on a blistering hot summer day August 2006. DUKE was 120 pounds skin and bone. The poor boy had an injured ulserated eye and was badly in need of medical attention, food and water. We took him into our home and nursed him back to health and a fine handsome King he always was! We became so attached to him and PERK we kept them. Since 2006 they have received the five star royal treatment with lotsa love and attention. DUKE was the gentle giant. He became 205 pounds and had 3 doggie beds and his own Scooby Doo Sleeping Bag. He even slept on my bed right up on my pillows nightly while I work and play my guitar. He was one of the coolest dogs I ever had! We are just devistated that his time with us was short. He was with us not even 2 years and it seemed like an eternity. He brought so much joy and affection to our home. He was appreciative of all we did for him. He didn't beg or bother anybody. He was one cool dog! he just liked to do his thing. He would steal logs off the wood pile and chew them up and he has stuffed animals he liked to snag and take out into the yard. On any given evening there would be 13 stuffed aniamls scattered in the yard. He was a character. He became very sick last week and just left us in a few short days. We spent $2500 on him throughout the weekend let alone the $2000 when we first rescued him in 2006. They are just numbers. The last couple night he was hospitalized at Pet Med with IVs and around the clock attention. I stayed with him most of the last two nights and even played my guitar for him Monday Afternoon until 7pm when the vet closed. He liked the pick on the strings sound, it made him go to sleep and snore like dad. I wanted to be with him every minute to let him know he was OK, and we wern't going to leave him. I was with him most of the day Tuesday and left to go home and let my other dogs out when the vet called and said you have to get here right away. DUKE is dying and I dont think your going to make it. He waited for me to leave and then he just passed away. I was just floored along with the rest of the family. I thought he was looking better, and suddenly he was just gone. I guess he had to go home. I'm so sad. My life is better having had DUKE in it. He was like one of those cool laid back musicians on the road that just moved on. And there are no good byes on the road. We miss our Dukie Boy! I can have alot of dogs, but only ever one DUKE! He's rockin' Doggie Heaven now with our other loyal army of furry children Gretzky, Ace, and Henry. We miss you DUKE! Thanks for being our friend and protecting us. Life is just not the same without you by our side. I always wanted a horse that slept on my bed. Everytime Dad makes toast he thinks of you cuz DUKE liked toast. Dad said "Day, day, day. "He knows!" One of the most things I will miss about DUKE was giving him a bath. He used to climb in the big shower and just sit quietly while I gave him soapy circles. He thought that was the coolest thing. He had never had a bath when we rescued him. He went from the ugly frog to the handsome prince in just over one year. He was the king though! Much like King Kong, he was the gentle giant and our baby boy. "He knows!" Love from Earth, Mike, Mom, Dad, Bobbie, Perk, Lucy, and The Beanster!