Every once in a while you read a touching tribute to a pet and your heart just melts. Today was one of those days for me.
I enjoy reading pieces dedicated to loved pets, like one woman's tribute to her dog of 16 years. But when I saw this, I really had trouble keeping it together. This amazing tribute piece was written by Robyn Arouty from the perspective of an adorable but very sick dog named Duke.
Duke was a formerly homeless dog, like this adorable little pup, who was adopted into the loving home of the Roberts family. However, the Roberts family soon found out that Dukey, as he was affectionately known, had cancer. And although Dukey's time here was cut short, Robyn Arouty gives him a loving sendoff with this beautiful letter from Dukey on his last day on Earth, complete with heartwarming photos of Dukey's final adventures.
This is Robyn Arouty's piece called "I Died Today."
Please SHARE if you were as moved by Dukey's story and Robyn's piece as I was.
I Died Today. By, Duke Roberts…
And I ate a lot of hamburgers. We had a party.
And I laughed.
And I thought about how much I'm going to miss it here.
We told jokes.
We were serious.
My friends from next door came to see me. They're twins. When someone offered them one of my hamburgers, one said, "No thank you. I don't want to take any from Dukey."
Kristen came to see me. She's a hoot. She's my groomer. And my buddy.
While we were waiting for the vet to come Kristen said we were going for a walk.
Then someone said, "How about a play in the water at the splash park down the street?" So off we went!
"You know I'm going to miss you, right?"
"And you too, right?"
"I need you to help me watch over my family."
"Did you hear me? This is all I want!"
We got wet today.
We smiled today.
We felt grateful today.
We broke the rules today.
I listened to the kids play off in the distance. And thought about my two babies at home. I loved protecting them.
I relaxed today.
I felt no pain. Even though the tumor grew so big.
I felt the love today.
I said goodbye to my beautiful friend Kira. She "saw" me standing over everybody before the doctor said it was time. I was excited & jumping & happy.
Well, I didn't say goodbye. I said 'til we meet again.
God, I was lucky. Our time was short. But you both gave me a second chance & we lived it up together. You love when I look at you. I'll never stop.
Always, DUKEY
Please SHARE if you were as moved by Dukey's story and Robyn's piece as I was.
Dukey’s Mama Jordan found his adoption video from almost three years ago. It sealed the deal for her. Don’t put the tissues away just yet. Here’s the real Dukey!
