Duke McCall

It is hard to write about a dog that you love without succumbing to cliché. I can tell you that Duke was my best friend, truly. Or that he helped and supported me at least as much, if not more, than I did him—also true. However, these sentiments fail to communicate the real depth of those feelings.

Duke came into my life somewhat by accident and circumstance, but the hooks set in immediately. It was apparent that this dog possessed a sweetness and sensitivity that, while not rare in dogs, is not usually so pronounced or immediately apparent. Duke loved other dogs, no matter the size or temperament. He loved babies, he loved all guests, friends, and visitors—perhaps to a fault, as he made a lousy sort of guard dog. I bring up this side of him because he came crashing into my life during a particularly tumultuous period. I was sort of estranged from key factions of my support system; I was in a particularly unhealthy relationship, and my life was unstable. Every decision, every new job or apartment, shifted underneath my feet like sand, but Duke was a source of love, sweetness, and, frankly, a healthy dose of structure and moral clarity. I knew that no matter how things were going for me, Duke needed food, love, shelter, and support; which made decisions easier to navigate. To say I loved and appreciated him does not accurately describe how deep my need for him really was. Girlfriends, homes, jobs, even my relationships with family members ebbed and flowed, but Duke was a constant. A beacon of what love is supposed to be, how it should feel, and how it is done. To him, it was always so simple.

Duke was my best friend. Truly. I will forever be a better person for his life having touched mine. I will always remember the hikes, the impromptu swimming sessions, his bottomless affection for everyone and everything he came across, but mostly, I will remember the times that he sat quietly with me and the world would feel whole. I hope that someday I can do for others what Duke was able to do so effortlessly for me.