DUKE (August 6, 1989 - May 5, 2002)

In May 2002, Janis Musante sent us a tribute to her special guy, Duke.
She also shared the following:

Rochelle, I awoke Sunday morning to find that our Duke had died during the night. The vet thinks it was an aneurism, since he had just been seen the Friday before and was absolutely healthy. He died like he lived, never causing a problem. At first, I thought he was sleeping until I realized that he had left me. My heart is truly breaking. We were preparing ourselves to lose Jack whose 16th birthday is May 16th, but never, in a million years thought it would be Duke who would go first. I see him all around me and hear him a thousand times during the day and at night. I can't believe he has left me, and that I'll never see him again. He was an extraordinary dog. He lived to love, and touched so many people. I would have to tell people that he really did get attention at home, because he insisted that he be acknowledged. In these photos (taken of him last week), you can see how healthy and beautiful he was.

Your website on loss and grief is much needed right now and appreciated. Your page on loss is what got me through this. Duke was truly my best friend.  I have survived two cancers and Duke was by my side through all, giving me the support and comfort I needed. Why does love have to be so painful?

To those of you who loved our Duke, we want to share with you that G-d has now taken him in his care. We awoke this morning to find him laying next to our bed gone. We have no idea of what happened other than to surmise he had a heart attack.
   
As you all know, we were expecting this with Jack given he is about to turn sixteen, but never for our Duke. We are devastated. There is a hole in our hearts that will never be filled. As our friend, Helen, said, "We have them for such a short time". He gave us far more than we could ever have given him. He epitomized what love was all about.
   
There is such a hole in our hearts that will never be filled until we meet up with him again. Dukie, we shall miss you so.

With All Our Love,
Janis and Raymond