Duke

The Carolina Jordan's lost a family member on Thursday, October 2, 2008. We had to put Duke to sleep, after a long battle with a Mast cell cancer. He was diagnosed with this in February of 2008. We adopted Duke in March of 2001 and brought him home before the NCAA final four tournament of that year. He had a long list of accomplishments, including eating half of a berry torte that Egla made that weekend for Danielle's confirmation party. In Chicago, he dragged Nicholas 20 feet. Duke loved to go for walks in the Dan Ryan preserve, just north of Beverly. He has tried to walk away with an entire turkey carcass, in Chapel Hill. Duke could find chocolate no matter where it was hidden. Chocolate was probably his favorite food, along with deer poop. He once ate 2 pounds of Hersy's kisses, with the wrappers, no problem. As you can tell, his favorite activity was eating. He taught us to be very neat as far as food was concerned. We could leave nothing out. In Chapel Hill, there were only 2 safe places, behind the sink and on top of the fridge. He also was a very affectionate dog, and loved and protected Danielle, Nick and Kyle. If any of us were wrestling, he would 'attack' me. His next favorite activity was sleeping.

Here is Duke doing just that in the kitchen in Chicago. Oddly enough as a Labrador retriever, he really didn't like water. He hated walking in the rain and would feign sleep or just hide if it was time for a walk, when it was raining. On the last day of his life, Egla, Nick, Kyle and even Danielle, from Lima on videochat, were able to say goodbye to him. I took him for a walk on the easement-his favorite walk-uncharacteristically let him eat deer poop and then took him to the Vet. They were very supportive, kind and considerate. He was peaceful and, I think, ready. We will spread his ashes on the easement, near the waterfall. Oh, and for those of who did not catch the NCAA weekend tie-in and his greatest achievement, good luck. He was already named Duke, when we adopted him just before Duke won the NCAA championship.

Duke, AKA-Dukous, Wookie, Sir Barf-a-lot
March 11, 1999-October 2, 2008
Rest In Peace