I know at first this might not seem like the right place for this, but he was an active member of our bank fishing community so I hope you'll indulge me.

Today I lost a friend. This is something we all face at times in our lives. Sometimes it is recognized with a silent moment to reflect before we continue on with our day, and other times we feel a loss so great that it takes time to rearrange our daily routine to fill that portion of our day that we would have otherwise spent enjoying their company. Well, this is one of the latter.
My friend and I met nearly 13 years ago when I was still a relatively young man. It was a surprise when we met. I came home from work earlier than expected and nearly ran into him! He was just a young guy, full of energy and trying to fit in. He was a lot like me when I was young. Feet too big for his body and still trying to decide what role he was supposed to play. Well, he spent his entire life trying to learn his role and adapt to my life's demands without ever thinking if it was what he ultimately wanted for himself. He lived this way because all that he wanted was to do whatever was necessary to see me smile.
My friend and I saw many triumphs and many failures through together. We sat up late into the night pondering the "why's" of life and celebrated late into the night when we found the answers. We fished, hunted, worked on trucks, made and lost friends together, spent months apart and moved halfway across the country. But through it all we remained loyal to each other, never having to question why we made the decisions that we made.
Then, just when I thought I had a friend that would never love or respect anyone else the way he did me, my first daughter was born. My friend was such a powerful and playful guy in his prime, and I worried that he might hurt my young child by accident. But he again proved the most adaptable individual I know. I've watched him stand as still as a statue and be poked, prodded, pinched, climbed and generally harassed, even at the expense of his pride, never once complaining. I've seen him sleep as lightly as you can imagine, wrapped around the bassinet outside on the patio when one of my girls was feeling crummy, never asking for a break, always prepared to stand and protect that little soul without hesitation. He has fought off attackers, and passed his barely audible message to a stranger so all would know that I or one of my girls was neither vulnerable nor alone.
Through everything he never asked for more than I could give and always loved and treated me and my girls like we were the very substance that gave him life. Then he got sick. Cancer is a terrible, sneaky disease that has no prejudice. Through the last six months since we discovered that he was dying he has continued to teach me lessons about myself. I have seen what total, unselfish devotion is. I have seen what it is for someone to lay down everything that they are to make someone else's life a fuller place.
For many weeks I wondered, read and generally searched for the magic formula that would show me when it was time to let him go. And I never found the answer. I had to trust that he would let me know when he was ready.
Over the last week or so, I started to notice little things about his behavior that helped me to realize that the time was near. I would catch him limping or tending to himself with obvious pain and discomfort. When I would step outside to check on him he would snap out of it and put on a brave face as if nothing at all was wrong. He would jump and play just like always even if a little slower.

This morning when I was mowing the yard, he came to me and just stood staring as if there was something he needed that only I could provide and I immediately realized that he was tired and ready to go. He was saying goodbye. Through tears we loaded up with a familiar toy or two and said our goodbyes to everyone. We took that last journey together. I couldn't stand the thought of his being discarded like so much unwanted waste so I placed him under a solid oak tree on a small hill overlooking our favorite fishing spot. I piled his stones high and marked his passing so that all who pass by might toss a stone on his grave just to let him know we are still thinking of him and remember his lessons.

So today I remember my dear friend. One who taught us through example the people that we should be. My friend, my teacher, my confidant, my hero.

R.I.P. Duke
2/21/2000 ~ 5/20/2012

So if you ever see his marker on one of your bank fishing adventures, place a stone on his grave and know that he was loved.

RIP. As a fellow dog lover, my thoughts and prayers are with you

Sorry to hear that. My thoughts and prayers are with you. My dog likes to go fishing with me all the time. I dread the day she can't go with me.


Russ

I know what you are going through,it does get easier but not by much,He will be missed!

Beautiful memorial. Sorry for your loss. I have a 3 month old puppy that I found lost at the lake. He's a lab mix and loves the water. I take him fishing and know we will make great memories together.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss. I feel your pain, we lost 2 dogs the past 2 years. Amazing how much it hurts when they go.

Sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss.... Sounds like he had a great life!

Sorry for your loss. Sounds like he had a great friend!!

The good lord needed another super pet. Sorry for your loss. I know what you are going through. He will be waiting for you on the other side of the pond.

Thanks for all of the kind words guys. He was a great friend and he will be greatly missed.

Sorry for your loss, I have a 1 1/2 year old Boxer male, he is awesome. I hope to have the same type of memories with him. My prayers are with you for your loss.

Sorry to hear that my friend. I have a little buddy that just worships every move that I make. I feel your pain. I dread the day when my little buddy has to leave this place. I treat him like one of my kids..