*DUKE ("Duker")*

(Warning: Possible picture overload)

To the WORLDS greatest dog anyone could ever ask for! Duke was our companion for hiking, camping, and hunting. He was a wonderful friend, entertainer, protector (baby sitter). He loved spending time with Owen and our family, but mostly Owen. (: He did the best tricks, loved us all unconditionally and when we were having a bad day, he knew and would always lean in on us just a little more then normal to make us feel better. Duke loved to explore all our new camp spots and on a number of occasions, he would disappear for a few hours and then come back. He loved going to work with Owen even if he just sat in the back of the truck and waited for Owen to get done.

I know I'm going to look out the back window for him to be looking in at me for the next little bit. We're going to miss him on all our hikes and camping trips. I'm not going to feel quite as safe in my our home when Owen is gone to work over night.... Duke always calmed my nerves and made me feel safe (Bruiser just doesn't compare to Duke)!

This was always where we could find Duke when we couldn't find him.

Duke slept on the tramp several times with the kids and wouldn't leave their side until they woke up!

Duke always put up with all the girly things the kids would do to him, like combing his fur. (:

Duke sat at the door just looking at me like, "are you going to stop this torture?" I couldn't resist taking a few pictures first! (:

Here is Duke singing with the kids!!!

(Duke died peacefully in our backyard under a shady bush. His death was a surprise to all of us.)

Duke will always be missed in our home and he will be soooo hard to replace!