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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

RIP our Ducky Dog....

Sadly, today our heavy hearts are weeping over the loss of our collie, Duchess (a.k.a. Ducky)  She gave us almost 14 years of her wonderful whacky nosy food gobbling and ridiculous love...




I had been away for a week-long vacation with weaving friends Rosie and Linda, and was 470 miles away in Bethel, MO.  After a few phone calls back and forth last night with Steveio and my dog sitter, Sarah, we knew it was close to "The Time"....  you know, where all kind compassionate pet owners decide to do what is best for their loved furry friends.

I left my vacation buddies behind and zoomed home this morning as fast as I could legally go.  I was too late.  Steve had to deal with it on his own, and by the look in her eyes, the pleading and the pain, he had to bring her in to the vet and do the right thing.  I had wanted to come and help spare him this hurt, as this dog was "his" ever since it sniffed his tennis shoes and fell in love with him at the breeders that day oh so long ago.  It followed him everywhere in that yard, and made sure she was the "Pick of the Litter" to that man with the irresistible shoes, and made sure she was the dog going home with us that day.

She is now buried in the back yard, under the tiger lillies.   This little statue was named "Ducky" by our daughter Heather many years ago, (before we even had a real live dog named "Ducky"!)   We used it as a door stop in our various campers and motorhomes.  Now it's her head stone in the back yard.  Her collar is draped around it's neck, with her "Duchess"  heart tag on it.




And because I have a zillion pics of that goofy hound, here are just a few to share how much she meant to us....


No matter how much dirt and mud she laid in, she was always a pretty girl! 



And sometimes she laid in the grass...  
she loved camping and has many many many miles on her! 



She would allow the Quality Control Tasks of checking out the socks as an assisstant... 
But Duke and Akasha were the serious ones on the job.



What a pretty girl.. even in her later years. 


She loved water and swimming and playing with the kids


I remember this day, we took a long walk, 
and the evening sunshine made her glimmer like GOLD



at her "awkward stage" of being a gangling youngster pup
she was all elbows and knees and would slide all over the ceramic floors



For some goofy reason, if she was ramming around like a nut case,
Steve would scoop her up, perch her like a parrot on his shoulder, 
and she would calm down and survey all she could see from the high vantage point



she likes laying down to eat, puts her nose closer to the food! 



Aww taking a puppy camping for the first time.... and she has many many more thousands of miles on  her travelling in the motorhome and enjoying new sights and places to sniff! 



Santa brought her a toy named "Ducky"....



She would always sleep in crazy upside down positions



More Sockie Wockies... with some socks I got from my friend, Linda in Tennessee.  
They were collie socks and tested out perfectly.


She liked me... but she LOVED Steveio.
The world was right and good when he was back in her scope of the world.



and she put up with whatever we did to her..........



A gangly teenager waiting to be let in the house
When it thundered .... she would chatter her teeth inside her long snout....
and it echoed and sounded like a woodpecker knocking on wood 


She was happiest to be perched up on the couch in the motorhome, 
waiting to see where we would take her next 


A True Travelling Dog



She always felt that her spot was right up in the middle of our bed.  
(Since Steveio put her there in our bed from the first night as an 8 week old puppy!~)


Ducky was lonely after Akasha died, so we got her Duke to keep her company. 
They were Best Buddies. 


We even lent her out one weekend at a campground
 to a 10 year old girl who wanted to walk her in the kiddee parade. 
 She became a "Flag Dog"! 


Mom always said "The Nose Knows"  
as Ducky would be right underfoot for any cooking or serving of food.  
I missed her tonight underfoot in the kitchen, hoping I would drop something into her mouth. 



And this is my favorite pic... she LOVED water as in lakes, rivers, puddles and outdoors.... 
but when it came to a BATH----- not so much. 

RIP Ducky
See you at the Rainbow Bridge....






37 comments:

  1. Oh, Karen and Steve we feel your pain and tears, no matter how long we have had our pets it still hurts so much to let them go. May the memories of your precious Duchess give you comfort.

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  2. Losing a pet that is loved and loves us is so difficult...I'm thinking of you guys....

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  3. Losing a member of the family is never easy, may the great memories ease your sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Stevio at this time.

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  4. What a sweet tribute to a beautiful dog! You have many wonderful memories of her.

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  5. our hearts go out to you, we know painful it is. I still remember coming to your house and seeing
    Ducky with the 50 cent sticker on her forehead. Duke will miss her and mourn also. Wish I could ease your pain but I know that is not possible, just remember she is no longer in pain....





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  6. Donna...too funny! Steve was always joking about trying to sell her... for "five bucks" and one day a mail lady in Florida believed him and wanted to buy her!

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  7. Karen and Steve, my heart and thoughts are with you at the loss of your beloved Ducky. May you find peace and joy remembering the love and life you shared together and that you gave your Sweet Ducky the last gift we can bestow on our family members with paws . . . that of crossing The Rainbow Bridge surrounded by your love.

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  8. Beautiful post about Ducky. I will miss her. Hugs to you and Steve and Dukeie too!

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  9. I am so sad to hear that Ducky has moved on. I'll never forget how sweet she was with Lady and me when we invaded her space last year, and I know how much you will miss her.

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  10. ah, Karen and Stevio, I am so sorry for your loss. Such a lovely tribute to Ducky, I enjoyed getting to know her. I know she will leave an empty hole in your hearts forever, but you know how blessed you have been to have such a wonderful dog.

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  11. I am so sorry. My heart hurts for you guys tonight. But what a happy, happy life Dumb Ducky was able to have filled with love and more love. And she returned that love more than you can count.

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  12. Karen and Steve....so sorry to hear about Ducky. We've been through this too and know how hard it is to lose a furbaby that is such a big part of the family. She'll be waiting for you.

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  13. Once again, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of "Ducky". She was one lucky dog to have been loved so much. I hope Duke will be fine without her, it will be hard on him as it will be on you and Steve.

    Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  14. I'm so sorry for your loss. Our furry friends are part of the family.

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  15. Oh no... Karen and Stevio, So so sorry for your loss. I think that pets touch areas of your heart that no one else does... Keep the good memories. Sending you lots of hugs,
    Diane

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  16. What a great tribute to your dog, sorry for your loss. I still morn Loki and miss her a lot.

    Erik

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  17. I am so sorry for your loss. Our pets are an important part of our family and the pain of losing them is no less. Your blog today was a wonderful tribute to your love for her. You were blessed to have had her in your lives. RIP Ducky

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  18. Karen & Steve,
    We're so sorry to hear about your beloved Ducky.

    Thank you for the photo pictorial. You have some great pictures and many wonderful memories.

    So cute the Ducky you have for the headstone. How appropriate.

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  19. It is always so difficult to lose a best Pal. We well know & understand your pain. Our hearts here at the Bayfield Bunch go out to you both. Treasure your memories......

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  20. I feel like I knew Ducky, too. She was a great companion and I feel your loss. RIP, pretty one.

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  21. I'm so sorry to hear of Dutchess crossing over the bridge and am sending a big hug to you and Steve. I too know the pain of taking the last trip to the Vet. My sympathies to to you, Steve, and Duke.

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  22. You brougt tears to my eyes. I still miss my beloved Buttons. Dogs are and have been a big part of my family. We now have three left and a two of them are getting up in years.

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  23. Very moving tribute! Thank you for sharing with us!

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  24. I am so sorry for your loss. But I look at those photos and know that she lived a wonderful life, and had so much love given to her.

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  25. SAD!
    She and Duke are the two best behaved camping dogs I ever met.
    She was a lucky Duck to have you and Steve.
    Mel

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  26. Just don't know how I will feel when I face this again....last time I was 16 years old. My Skruffy is young and healthy and I have had this rescue dog for 3 1/2 years now. My heart is heavy for your loss.... Dave

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  27. What a wonderful way to tell us how much you both loved Ducky! I am sure he will be missed and many tears will fall before the hearts begin mending. We had to say goodbye to our 17 year old Sheltie 6 months ago, loss of a loved one is never easy! Thank you for letting us see Ducky one more time!

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  28. Karen and Steve, we are so sorry that you had to say good by to your precious Ducky.

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  29. My heart goes out to you. What a wonderful tribute to your precious "Ducky."

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  30. Awww, Karen and Steve, our hearts go out to you. We know the depth of this loss all too well and we know there is nothing we can really say except we care and pray for comfort.

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  31. Gosh, you got me in tears here in northeast NY, cause I've been there many times, and it never gets easier.
    All we can do is treasure what they gave us, and it looks like she gave you everything.
    From one dog lover to another, I hurt for you and Stevio right now.

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  32. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful Ducky. I have always enjoyed seeing the pictures of your much loved dogs. As a little girl a neighbors Collie befriended me. I fell in love with that dog and have wanted a collie ever since.

    You did a nice tribute post for Ducky. I don't know how you managed it, because when we lost our little one 2 years ago, I couldn't stop crying long enough to write much of anything. Great job.

    I hope when the time is right, you find another fuzzy little one to help mend the big hole in your hearts. No one can ever replace Ducky, but there is something about a new little one that will bring a smile back to your heart once again.

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  33. I read this post with a heavy heart. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  34. So sorry..sounds like you were all lucky to have one another..

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  35. Just saw this Karen and Steve...so sorry to hear of your loss. Hugs to you both and to Duke too.

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  36. So sorry for your loss. Your tribute is ever so special. She will be in your hearts forever.

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