Duke

It’s a sad day.

There is never a question about Labradors. From the moment they’re born, they love. It’s in their DNA. Yet it’s not a love for themselves, but rather for the one family which shows them just a bit of loyalty and friendship. For that little bit of compassion, they return adoration a hundred fold. Moreover, their lives are never about themselves, but rather about pleasing those around them. They are the most unselfish creatures on this earth and they’ll never know it. This is why we love them.

From the moment we met in the pound, I knew he was the one. He didn’t bark, he didn’t spring about, he didn’t whine behind chain link, but rather sat calmly on his haunches and smiled, his tongue lolling out to the side. At the time, he was the same age as my son, a youngster, yet his demeanor displayed wisdom beyond his years. It was as if he knew we were there to pick him up. He was the chosen one.

When we brought him home he entered a household with two cats, yet there was never an issue. He let them have their domain. He was passive, just happy to have a family that he could love no matter the setting. In time, he became the cat’s protector also, steering away other dogs, cats, and occasional possums. And when the cats passed, he wandered around and wept for them just as we did. He shared our compassion. And we knew he missed them sometimes as he’d look in corners only they would go.

In the summer it was nearly impossible not to play fetch with him as he always seemed to have a ball in his mouth. He’d chase the ball until his heart was about to explode out of his chest, but he’d still bring it back and lay it at my feet wanting more. In the winter he’d keep us warm, lying against our feet by the fireplace. And on any given day, you’d find him lying beside you whether it was watching TV, cooking a meal, surfing the web, or just hanging out. He was never far away and he never faltered.

On those bad days, he’d gently rest his head against my thigh as if to offer his loyal support for whatever hardship I was enduring. And when I finally felt better, his big brown eyes would look up at me and say ‘treat’. In those moments I’d realize it was the simple things in life that makes life worth living and there was nothing in the world I needed to worry about because we were together. Amazingly, he knew this from birth. This was his motto.

As he aged, an old injury slowed his pace a little. His eyes clouded over so he could longer see the ball to chase. His hearing faded also so he had to rely on our other dogs to bark in order for him to know we were home. He lost his appetite, only seeking out the aspirin hidden within the food in his bowl because he knew it made the days pass easier for him. Despite it all he still stood by our sides, standing wobbly on three legs, breathing heavily from the exertion of just climbing to his feet, yet never giving up on trying to please those he cared about.

I am reminded of stories about the loyalty a Labrador will display towards it owner. I believe them all now because it’s just the way they are. It was the way he was. So I will remember him as I want to: swimming every chance we were near water, running around as if there was no tomorrow, and frolicking about with the sun at his back, a ball at his feet, and a grin on his face suggesting ‘more’. He was a happy dog.

He was my loyal friend, my playful companion, and my protector. And though he will be missed, he will be in our hearts forever.

He was Duke. 1998-2013