“In every heart there is an inner room, where we can hold our greatest treasures and our deepest pain.”  Marianne Williamson

I have lost one of my greatest treasures. My golden retriever, Duke, passed unexpectedly on March 18, 2009. He had been briefly examined by a treating veterinarian in 2008 and dismissed as being overweight without any further diagnostics. Although Duke was seen several more times throughout December and January, the diagnosis never changed. In March, I took Duke to a specialist to check on a chronic knee problem. Upon entering the office, the veterinarian immediately commented on his weight which had remained unchanged over the months. After pulling blood, taking x-rays and doing an ultra-sound, it was determined that Duke had a substantial amount of fluid in his abdomen. Surgery was imminent and immediate. As a result of the spleen being affected, Duke was at risk of hemorrhaging. The spleen and part of the liver would be removed. During the procedure the surgeon advised me that Duke had cancer and it had spread. He could give us a few more weeks to maybe a few months together at most. Knowing that it wouldn’t be fair to allow him to incur any further pain – as much as I wanted to put my arms around his neck one more time -  I gave my consent to put him to sleep. I took my beloved dog in to have his knee checked and came home without him. Words can not begin to express the deepest pain within my heart… the hurt…the anger. I do not know if Duke’s life could have been saved if he had been properly diagnosed earlier rather than merely dismissed. I do know that without the intervention of a Divine Hand that guided me to another veterinarian, Duke ran the risk of bleeding out internally and dying a horrific, painful death. I am grateful for the two short years that he was a part of my life. I know that the emptiness I am experiencing for the loss of his physical presence, will be eased by his continuing love and spirit. Duke may be “gone from my life, but will never be absent from my heart.” (Rainbow Bridge) I would also like to extend my gratitude to the veterinarians, the techs and the staff at Tampa Bay Veterinary Services and to Pet Angel for all the care, concern and compassion that they offered to Duke and me. Following are words that I wrote in honor and memory of Duke.

In Honor and MemoryDuke - Love found me on January 2, 2007 - March 18, 2009 -   Duke came to the Vaughn family later in life. However, in his two short years with us, he gave us more than a lifetime of Love, Laughter and Joy. Duke celebrated each day and embraced those things that truly mattered with passion.  Duke was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed duck and raccoon hunting, only tracking the finest Florida Fluff species which are native to the aisles of Pet Smart and Publix. Duke also engaged in the art of fencing. Each morning he would meet his opponent on the other side of the fence and challenge him to a race to the end…of the fence. He played competitive football with his brother Sparky, and yet he was always willing to give up the ball to his little sister Coco. On hot summer days, he took dips in the swimming pool or any puddle left from a hard rain. Duke was very protective of those he loved. In the rain and thunder, he cuddled up in dark closets with his sister Missy and would guard his mother, sleeping next to her bed each night.  A true romantic, Duke took great pleasure in long walks in the pasture, rolling in the grass to the warmth of the sun and rides in the country. Duke also enjoyed fine dining. His eyes would light up for a McDonald’s double cheeseburger or Publix chicken tenders. He shared vanilla ice cream with his mother and loved her homemade egg salad sandwiches. Duke was a work-a-holic. He spent endless hours working with his mother, laying next to her desk while she consulted with clients or drafted documents. Duke is survived by his adoptive mother, Tamara and his adoptive grandmother, Betty. He will be missed greatly by his brothers and sisters, Fannie, Huevos, Hamlet, Zoe, Mush, Birdie, TT, Buttercup, Rosie, Thomas, Sparky, Missy, Buddy and Coco Chanel.  It was an honor to have known him. It was a privilege to have been chosen as his adoptive family. It was a heavenly gift to be blessed as the earthly caretaker of such an angelic, loving soul.  Duke you are loved and you are missed.   

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