My Dearest Duke,
As I run my hands over your fur, I try to memorize the feeling. Your fur is soaked with my tears. I try to forget, if just for a moment, what is happening but your breathing and some coughs won't let me. I hope you know just how very much I love you. I would do anything I could for you. I would gladly take your illness and make it mine so you could live. But then, you would feel my pain. I always knew this day would come but I would always think it would be tomorrow. Did you know that you were the dog that made me become a dog person? Before that, I was a cat person. And thank goodness your brother jumped up and kissed me on the lips or it would have been him I was taking home. I would have missed out on so much. You are the most special dog and I will always treasure our time together. I curse the illness that's taking you from me. When it's your time, a part of me dies with you. I love you, sweet baby dog. You'll forever be in my heart and I will long for the day until we can be together again.