Disclaimer: I receive commissions from some links on this blog. Thank you for your support!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Goodbye Slick Silver Duke

This is the hardest post I have ever had to write, yes, even harder than the one about my mom passing. It sounds odd, but I was at least prepared (for years really) for my mom's passing. This was just so unexpected. Jim and I are absolutely heart broken. At about 10:30 this morning, our sweet, loving, beautiful Australian Shepherd, Duke, registered name Slick Silver Duke, got hit by a car right in front of our house. I was out in the rain attempting to move the car seat from my car to our truck. I don't know why I didn't let Duke in the car with me as I was unbuckling the seat, or why I didn't just leave him in the house for a few minutes. I ALWAYS know where he is and NEVER let him anywhere near the road! All I know is that I let my guard down, turned my back for what seemed like 2 seconds, then I heard him barking as a car was slowly driving by. It was this old man that ALWAYS drives slowly. The speed limit on our road is 55 mph, but he always drives really slow. Duke usually never paid attention to the cars driving by but he did to this one because I am sure he thought he was coming to "visit" so Duke must have gone to "greet" him. I didn't see what happened, but I did see immediately after he got hit, actually it took me a minute to realize he HAD been hit. He was jumping around, barking deeper than normal and I thought he was just excited about the car, but I was too late. He had already gotten too close. He ran up to me and then just collapsed by the sidewalk.

I immediately called Jim at work and he was on his way home. Then I called the vet and told them they were coming. Jim got home, put Duke in the truck and took off as I waited for my friend Angie to come and get Jimmy so I could then follow Jim. After Angie left with the baby I took off to the vet, which is about 20 minutes away. I was about halfway there when Jim called and said Duke was gone. He was about the leave the vet to bring him home to bury him so I went on home myself. I got home, Angie brought Jimmy back from their errands, and finally Jim returned with our sweet, forever sleeping pup. We cried (I probably shouldn't say that Jim cried, but he did, he will be so embarrassed if he reads this, Love you honey!) for a long time.

You see, we picked up Duke together when he was a puppy, brought him home to my house and he was like our kid. When I had to move out of my dad's into an apartment not allowing dogs, Duke went to live on Jim's grandpa's farm where Jim was living after college. They did everything together, he was pretty much Jim's dog after that. Once we got married and moved into our house, we were a family and I got my doggie back but he and Jim still had this awesome unbreakable bond. Jim always looked forward to cuddling with Duke when we went to bed. Sometimes Duke would even be under the covers with his little head sticking out at the top, too cute! I admit I was a bit jealous, but it was very sweet (again, he will prolly be embarrassed I am telling you this, he is quite the manly man!).

Duke was an amazing Aussie, he was so smart! He could turn the light off, shut the door, bring you stuff, put laundry in the dryer, throw trash away, he never chewed anything that wasn't his, he never dug up the yard or my flower beds, he would lay down and go to sleep when you told him it was bedtime, if he was licking himself he would stop if you told him to, he knew all kinds of tricks, he loved to catch the frisbee and fetch the ball and the big rubber horse ball, he loved chasing the 4-wheeler and playing in the creek, he stood still when it was time for his heartworm & flea medicine, he jumped in the bathtub when it was time for a bath, he stood still when hosed off, he shook his fur to dry off on command, he was the BEST watchdog and he loved all the farm animals. He was great with the cats and they all loved him. He was wonderful with Jimmy, letting him pull on him, brush him, pet him and even sit on him occasionally.

We loved our dog so very much and wish so so much that we had finally put up the fence across the front yard so we didn't have to worry about this very thing. We just hadn't gotten to it yet. The whole rest of the yard is fenced so it would not have taken much to do the front and install a gate at the driveway. I am so sorry I let my guard down this one time and let my sweet bubba doo (this pet name came from "puppy dog" I know, we are weird, but we loved our boy!) get hit. It only takes one time. I wish with all my heart he had just gotten hurt and we had time to "learn our lesson" and put the fence up. Please, if you have something you have been putting off that could save your sweet pet's (or child's even) life, please put it off no longer! I read a very sad story about a horse that had to be put down at Laughing Orca Ranch, the neighbor had a very short fence the horses could pretty much just step right over and they got out, one got hurt and had to be put down. You would think that after reading that and crying over that horse, I would have insisted that Jim put our fence up NOW, but I didn't. Ohhh how I wish I had! Our Duke would be right here with us, wandering around, panting, wanting to play ball, just wanting to be loved on. We miss you so much bubbas! That'll do bubs, that'll do!


Here is a video I took of Duke when he first learned how to close a door. I think this is from 2005, maybe early 2006. Please excuse my dirty room lol =)

Dukers

In Loving Memory of Slick Silver Duke. January 27th 2003 - July 22, 2009.
These 2 photos were taken the day before he got hit, I wanted a couple good pics of him
so I could draw him. Now I will be doing a painting of our sweet boy.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

What a beautiful memorial of him! I am so sorry for your loss Ali. I remember the day you brought him home, and how Mom kept calling him Slick. He was indeed a very sweet boy

shortmama said...

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Our pets are often family members. Sending prayers and hugs your way.

Jessica said...

I am so, so very sorry. I can't even imagine this. I wish you didn't have to go through this. Don't worry about Duke...maybe now your mom has an Aussie. Prayers for you...

Paint Girl said...

Oh Ali! I am so, so, so sorry for your loss of Duke!!! I haven't cried so hard since losing my 2 older dogs almost 2 years ago!
Animals become such a big part of our families, and I know a lot of people treat them like their kids like you, I do. This was a wonderful tribute to you beloved Aussie! He was so beautiful, and so loved by you and your family!
Love the video of Duke closing the door! What a smart dog!
Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you, because I understand the pain. I felt the same way when our dog passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Kelly said...

I am so sorry Ali! Huge hugs to all of you!

These pictures, and the one in your header are awesome. What an expressive, loving face! What a personality.

Sarah Suzy said...

I am so so sorry. He seems like he was the best dog. I'll be praying for all of you!

Dusty Devoe said...

I am so sorry Ali. Your Duke was so beautiful. You will have all the wonderful memories of him. Loosing one of our beloved God's creatures is never easy. Will be thinking of you and your family. HUGS.

Angelina said...

Oh Ali- I knew this post was coming and I dreaded reading it- here I sit at my desk crying again....Im so sorry that Duke has left us! I am so glad you guys had such a nice pup to enjoy..... Luv you guys!!!!

Leslie said...

Ali, I'm soo soo sorry for your loss! From your posts I know how much you dearly loved Duke. My heart is aching for you and your family right now. Our pets are our family. You are in my thoughts and prayers that you are given comfort at this difficult time.

Ter said...

oh no, as soon as I saw the title I started to cry (and my emma came up to cuddle when she heard me)

I'm so so so sorry for your loss. :( You're right, life can change in an instant. It's so unfair. Poor Duke. I'm glad you got those extra photos of him from the other day.

Michelle said...

Hi Ali,

I'm new to your blog and what great timing, huh? I had tears in my eyes when I read your post. I am SO, SO sorry for the loss of your sweet puppy. :( It's so hard with animals..I think more than humans...because they are so dependent on us and can't really speak. I have gone through enough of this myself..but it never gets easier, does it? I will be praying for your family. Ali is in puppy Heaven and is happy, just know that. :)

Michelle

Tamis Marks said...

I am so sorry this post had to be written, your hearts must be aching. It is amazing how animals become so woven into the fabric of our families, that pup of yours was a smart one!

Blessings to you all!

The Pink Geranium or Jan's Place said...

Ali.. my prayers and love go out to you and Jim and Jimmy.. truly he was remarkable.. these things are so hard. I am so in shock to find this out.

He was amazing, and absolutely beautiful..

Love you honey,

Jan

ocmist said...

What a beautiful tribute to a dear, dear friend! Please know that there are many of us out here that understand your loss and have had to say goodbye to pets we have loved with our whole hearts! I don't know if it is harder to suddenly lose them or to have to make the decision to end their pain... I've been in both spots as I've had dogs for all of my 57 years.

You will never be able to "replace" him, but hopefully, after a while, you will learn to love again... another, in a different way... Love is one of the only things that I have found to fill the emptiness of the hole that is left in your heart after the loss of a loved one, human or animal. My prayers are with you and your family. OC's Mom, Linda

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

omg ali, i have been not blogging all week due to gardening. i am so so very sorry and so very sad for you! i am crying for you both! we had to learn a lesson very similiar with big black jack. our highway is a half mile down the road but he got hit and now we have those electronic collars and they have 4 acres to run. only sammy who is scared of collars does not wear one and we watch him when he goes outside. it breaks my hear that your photogenic and gorgeous good baby dog had to be taken from you. when i first found your blog, it was his photo that i saw on your header. i thought how unique and beautiful he is...prayers to you dear girl. your pain will soften somewhat but never your memories. he is with you in spirit and when it is your turn, he will be there to greet you...have you read the rainbow bridge poem? it is comforting in a tearful way.

~*Jessica*~ said...

Oh Ali! I'm so sorry for your loss.

~*Jessica*~ said...

Oh Ali! I'm so sorry for your loss.

ElisaBeth said...

I cried as I read this. I'm so sorry. I can't imagine loosing Willoughby in that way. love you! ElisaBeth

Anonymous said...

This is so sad. I love my dogs. They are my children. I am going to loose it when they pass away. And to have it happen so unexpectedly. I'm so sorry.

Christina. Sweden said...

Just happened to visit your blog an dwhen Isaw a bluemerle Aussie I just ha to go on, Only to find this and I can just imagine the feelin when lifw changes in a second....
Aussies are such lovely dogs, easy to teach and always happy. My daughter has a bluemerle Aussie that you can find on my blog, choose the Dogs category. Life goes on and before one knows it another dog is in the house...

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin