04/10/2026
Today would have been Duke’s 10th birthday ❤️
10 years old. It’s no age to lose a dog, and I still can’t quite get my head around the fact that he isn’t here.
I feel like I can barely remember much of my life without him in it. He just slotted into our family all those years ago like he’d always been here, and now he’s gone, everything just feels a little bit strange. A little bit wrong.
He guided me through so many different chapters of my life. From leaving school and taking those first steps into adulthood, changing jobs, new and old relationships, moving houses… through every change, every difficult period and every time the world felt a little unstable, Duke was the one constant. Always by my side.
He introduced me to so many people, took me to so many places and gave me experiences and memories I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. If it wasn’t for him, I genuinely don’t think I’d be where I am today.
I’m also incredibly grateful that a little piece of Duke gets to live on through his many offspring. Seeing parts of him come through in them is something I’ll always treasure… even if one of those offspring is unfortunately Earl the k**b 😂
People say “they’re just a dog”, but he was never just a dog. He was my best friend, my constant and such a huge part of who I am.
And thank you so much to everyone who has sent kind words, messages or simply checked in on me since he passed. I might not have replied to everyone, but I’ve read them all and they’ve meant more than you know ❤️
I’d give anything to have you here for your birthday, big lad.
Happy 10th Birthday, Dukey man ❤️
I hope wherever you are, there’s plenty of birds to chase and you know just how bloody missed you are.
Forever my boy x
