Duke,
You came into my life when it was supposed to be the happiest. With me just married, I had ignored the things that I knew to be fact. My cat stayed behind because I was afraid of what my new husband might do. I know you've forgiven me for that horrible life in Texas but I still have trouble forgiving myself. We've been through so much together and that has made our bond so strong. I wish so much that I had taken more pics of you. You are my most precious gift that I will always cherish. It makes me sad that you're getting older. It means your life on earth is getting shorter. So, Happy Birthday, sweet baby dog.
Here are some of the things I love about you:
The way both your front feet come off the ground in an excited bark
That playbow that you sometimes do when I get home from work

You snore at night better than any human
That oh so sad look when I leave for work in the morning
The way you paw at the ground and your ears perk up when hunting for lizards
How you love playing in the blanket, searching for your rawhide

How you hate the pool but love the beach. Here you are in October 2003. Thanks to Kay for letting us know about a great place!

How you love to guard your rawhide and play like you're fierce when I try to take it away from you.
You're such a good guard dog that the pool man is terrified
How you make Grandma give you the ear song
So, sweet dog, Happy 11 years and hopefully a lot more to come. I will always love you more than life itself
Here he is after his birthday supper having a noserubber. Dogs do this when they're happy.

And how you've become such a good dog posing for the camera. Kay and Simba sure give good lessons