Tuesday, July 15, 2014

This Story Of A Dog’s Last Day On Earth Is Beautiful And Utterly Heartbreaking

Meet Duke Roberts. And get ready for some serious tears.

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.

I Died Today. By Duke Roberts.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com
And I ate a lot of hamburgers. We had a party.

And I laughed.

And I laughed.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com

And I thought about how much I’m going to miss it here.

And I thought about how much I’m going to miss it here.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com

We told jokes.

We told jokes.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com

We were serious.

We were serious.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com

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.”

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.

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!

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

“You know I’m going to miss you, right?”




“And you too, right?”

“And you too, right?”

“I need you to help me watch over my family.”

“I need you to help me watch over my family.”
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com

“Did you hear me? This is all I want!”

“Did you hear me? This is all I want!”
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com

We got wet today.

We got wet today.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com

We smiled today.

We smiled today.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com

We felt grateful today.

We felt grateful today.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com

We broke the rules today.

We broke the rules today.
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.

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 relaxed today.

I relaxed today.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com

I felt no pain. Even though the tumor grew so big.

I felt no pain. Even though the tumor grew so big.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com

I felt the love today.

I felt the love today.
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 jumping happy.

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

Well, I didn’t say goodbye. I said ’til we meet again.

Well, I didn’t say goodbye. I said ’til we meet again.
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.

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

Always, Dukey.

Always, Dukey.
Robyn Arouty / Via robynarouty.com