Duke

He was a wonderful Rottweiler, who lived with us in Italy and here in Virginia. He loved rough-housing with Mark and cuddling with us on the couch. He was quick to flash his doggy smile and come running whenever Mark came home. He protected us from intruders more than once.

He showed our children, Anna and Austin great patience as they played with him. He loved Bella, our German Shepherd/Boxer mix puppy and missed her greatly when she left. Duke loved to cuddle on the couch and would try to fit entirely in your lap. Once when we took him sightseeing in WA DC on a hot day, he jumped into a fountain there -- he was smiling then as he splashed us!

Even though his health had suffered from Lyme's disease, on the days he felt good, he was like a puppy -- jumping around the house - rough-housing with Mark and being his playful self. Up to the very day he passed away, his love for our family, especially Mark was paramount.

Despite his being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and facing being "put down" due to the severe and constant pain he'd hidden up to the last 4 days of his life -- he still ran to Mark in greeting and kept his eyes on Mark as they put him down moments later.

He is greatly loved and his passing is being mourned by Mark, Kathi, Anna, Austin, Perry (a Quaker parrot who keeps asking for "puppy") and Baby (an African Grey parrot who liked to watch him run around).

His love and spirit will remain in our hearts, minds, and as an important part of our memories and family history. We miss you, Duke.