Duke's Sad Past

**dukedogsmom** · 09-05-2003, 07:12 PM

This is a look into Duke's life when I first got him. I had thought that I had cried it all out but I was looking for his first pic for another post and just wrote this sort of poem. Thank goodness we only spent 6 months with the monster. Any of you that have experienced any kind of domestic violence can understand, I'm sure.

You came into my life as someone had asked me to be their wife.
It was such a happy time and for a while, I felt everything
would be alright.
But then I moved and things started to change.
You were just a pup, about six months old.
Forced to learn about the bad things in life at such an early age.
Having to deal with another person's rage.
It breaks my heart still to this day, to think of what you must have
endured.
Because I know you haven't forgotten it.
I see the signs when you see someone that looks like him.
That tucking tail and backing up brings it all back to us both.
Though it's been nine years now, when I think of the hurt you
experienced, it still brings tears to my eyes.
To have him come home in the morning and listen to your cries while I
hid in bed with my hands over my ears.
I feel I was a coward that I've let you down.
Please forgive me for not leaving him sooner.
You will always come first my life now.
I know you'd do the same for me, my sweet Duke dog.

**tatsxxx11** · 09-05-2003, 07:29 PM

Oh dear

Oh, Valerie, I'm so sorry. Thank goodness you and Duke are now free of such unimaginable fear and abuse. You did not fail Duke. You were both vicitims. But now, thank goodness, those sad, sad times are but a distant memory and your days are filled with joy and happiness and devotion and unconditional love. {{{HUGS}}} Sandra

**KYS** · 09-05-2003, 07:35 PM

Ditto... what Sandra said.
You did not fail Duke or yourself, YOU GOT OUT of a Horrible
situation back than.
May your lives be filled with happiness for the future
years to come.

(((hugs))) Karen

**Logan** · 09-05-2003, 07:56 PM

Valerie, we see it though your pictures just how much you and Duke love each other. Dogs have the best ways of forgiving and forgetting. I know that Duke is totally enamored with you!!!! You can just "see" it!!!!

I'm sorry you had to relive this pain again today. I hope that you know that you are a very brave woman, who did do the right thing by Duke and yourself.

Logan

**lizbud** · 09-05-2003, 08:50 PM

dukedogsmom,

Please don't feel bad that you didn't leave the relationship
sooner. The fact is you did leave it & you and Duke are safe
and together now. Domestic abuse & the related fall out involves children and pets. Thank heavens you found the strength within
yourself to make the break & live a life free of fear & pain. You
are a very strong & brave person with a great love for sweet
Duke. I'm so glad you're both living a better life now. Duke knows
in his heart how much you care. Please don't forget that.

**sammi** · 09-05-2003, 10:29 PM

So sorry what you both had to go through. I hope the rest of your life is good - Duke will love you all his days for the love you are giving him today.

**sasha the cat** · 09-14-2003, 10:56 PM

My KatMa is crying so hard. Me too, mew-mew. KatMa does not know who abused me and I don't speak human so I can't tell her. My KatMa has cried many tears because she rescued me from outside where I was abandoned. It hurt KatMa so much that little me had frozen ears and the tips fell off; and my teeth were broken; my kittydoc told KatMa I'd been kicked in the month; and I also had a hernia.

Poor Duke, you angel. A monster hurt you and your *dog*Ma and she was soooo terrified & scared she couldn't react to protect you. My KatMa said it is best she did not because that monster may have killed her -- and then you both would have been lost.

Thank goodness you are together, safe & sound, loving & protecting each other. One thing my KatMa learned with her very first beloved pet when she was a small child:

Pets love you forever; and the life a human & pet have when they are bonded soul-mates never ends in divorce; it is forever. Even death cannot break the bonds of love -- love is infinite. And you know this is a fact -- would anyone survive harming Duke today? We both know the answer is NEVER, EVER. You'd kill them first.

These very sad words:

I feel I was a coward that I've let you down.
Please forgive me for not leaving him sooner.
You will always come first my life now.
I know you'd do the same for me, my sweet Duke dog.

Valerie, please do not be too hard on yourself for not helping Duke. Duke loves you and forgives you. Not only that, Duke knows you were in grave danger and by not reacting, you saved both of your lives.

I now understand your "signature" because Duke is truly the sunshine of your life.

Re your ex: I have no pity for abusers of humans or animals and must confess that if it were in my power, people like your ex would be eradicated just like we eradicate a malignant tumor in our body.

Please, give Duke a kiss from Sasha and me and Duke, kiss & comfort your *dog*Ma because only your sweet doggie kisses can comfort her and heal her heart.

**Uabassoon** · 09-14-2003, 11:00 PM

That poem was so sad, but I'm happy to hear that you and Duke are safe now. Give Duke a big hug for me.

**captain** · 09-15-2003, 12:38 AM

Gee, I would like to meet that MONSTER...........

Such a sad poem, and such a happy ending for the 2 of YOU!!

**Babe's mom** · 09-15-2003, 04:00 PM

Pets love you forever; and the life a human & pet have when they are bonded soul-mates never ends in divorce; it is forever. Even death cannot break the bonds of love -- love is infinite. And you know this is a fact -- would anyone survive harming Duke today? We both know the answer is NEVER, EVER. You'd kill them first.
We can only echo all the sentiments above! love from all of us