When a beloved pet dies, it feels like a member of the family has died. Duke Roberts, a black labrador in Houston, Texas, was no exception.
Duke was diagnosed a few years ago with osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor, in his leg. Veterinarians removed his front right leg in hopes of stopping the cancer, but the tumor only grew bigger.
“His tumor was growing rapidly and we were running out of options,” wrote Jordan Roberts of her dog. “He would rally during the day, but his nights were increasingly uncomfortable as his tumor started to separate his ribs. We struggled with the decision to let Dukey go, but ultimately did everything in our power to protect him from further pain.”
She finally made an appointment on July 7 with the vet for euthanization.
Then she called Robyn Arouty, a friend a professional photographer who had shot for Roberts before. She told her about Duke’s last day of life and asked her to come capture it.
Arouty’s photos show Duke and friends eating hamburgers in the morning. Laying on the floor, surrounded by hands eager to share a hamburger or two, Duke ate a meal typically forbidden for dogs. Narrated from Duke’s point of view, the blog shares a story of a dog who was loved and who loved back.
“Jordan let me know she had scheduled the appointment with the vet and the words just came. See, I have lost three of my own dogs in the past year and a half. One of them my Maya, my soulmate, she was almost 17 years old. I'm not a very religious person, but God was guiding everything that day and now it's God and Dukey.”
The response to the photo essay has been overwhelming. The photos quickly went viral, making their way around the Internet and into the hearts of animal lovers and those who have experienced a similar loss.
Arouty reminds people to stay open to pets until the last minute of their lives. For Duke that included a hamburger feast, trip to the waterpark and snuggles from friends. Arouty tells people to focus on the love you have for the dog, instead of the worry.
“Experiencing death with your heart makes you stronger. You can overcome your fears. I’m living proof,” she said.
Note: the photos and captions on this post have been reproduced as they originally appeared on photographer Robyn Arouty’s blog.
I Died Today. By Duke Roberts.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com
And I ate a lot of hamburgers. We had a party.
My friends from next door came to see me. They’re twins. When someone offered them one of my hamburgers, one said, “No thank you. I don’t want to take any from Dukey”.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com
Kristen came to see me. She’s a hoot. She’s my groomer. And my buddy.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com
While we were waiting for the vet to come Kristen said we were going for a walk. Then someone said, “How about a play in the water at the splash park down the street?” So off we went!
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com
I listened to the kids play off in the distance. And thought about my two babies at home. I loved protecting them.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com
I said goodbye to my beautiful friend Kira. She “saw” me standing over everybody before the doctor said it was time. I was excited & jumping & happy.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com
God, I was lucky. Our time was short. But you both gave me a second chance & we lived it up together. You love when I look at you. I’ll never stop.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com
A very sad story. Life is short. We have to cherish it everyday and everytime we been together...
ReplyDeleteagree... thanks for dropping by and for your friendship
DeleteI had pet dog before, he protected me from other stray dogs. I was cycling to tuition and it follow me to protect me, he waited me nearby until I finished tuition
ReplyDeleteHow sweet... When one gets a pet that faithful, it makes it even harder when it dies.
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