Duke really was "One of a kind", but then they all are right?

He came to us as Kubbaru from his life of obvious abuse. He was found by his kind rescuer tied on a chain "big enough to tow a car".

Her companion cautioned as they approached "careful, he might be vicious" but as she got closer she could see this boxer and he was doing the welcome boxer circle dance.

This was Duke in a nutshell. He was missing a toe and showing all his ribs and back bone. I took one look at him when we met in Brantford and said he looks like Marmaduke and it stuck ("Duke").

Duke was heading for his new home in Sarnia.

He truly was a kindly "duke", and "Gentle-man". He lived with two ladies, a boxer (Hunter) and a Boston terrier (Koby). Their needs always came before his.

Marlon always filled their kongs with treats when she left the house in the morning. Within minutes, Koby would steal his. If he got one back, great if not, "Oh well".

I always laughed out loud because of the countless times I could see him stretched out on the couch and Koby would creep up to him and get her little fist sized head within an inch of his massive sized one and let out one muffled little "woof". He would open his sleepy eye, get up, and either move over or get down to find another spot and she immediately curl up in his warm one.

We called him the Postman because he was a creature of habit.

When you let him out, he always did the same route in his big yard, doing his business far from the main area, then after a month or so, he would slightly change his route.

We didn't expect to have him long, because he was supposed to be 10 when we got him in 2001, but, he continued to surprise and bless us everyday for four years.

He looked after us and his girls (especially Koby); she was always with him outside and he watched over her. At night when the house got quiet you could hear him going from room to room checking to make sure all was right and everyone was in their proper place. He liked it when our nieces from Ottawa came to visit. He had two extra girls from Ottawa to check on "and to take turns sleeping with". In his big chest beat the heart of a lion and a lamb at the same time. "Courage and Gentleness". Thanks for teaching us how to live, we will never forget you. Rest well our Friend.

In memorandum

I miss his little wagging tail
I miss his plaintive, pleading walk
I miss his loving wistful glance
I miss his welcoming circle dance.