Dutchess Park
2/14/88-1/27/03

Dutchess was the single best thing that ever happened to me. She taught and gave me so many things: patience, compassion, loyalty, companionship, security, happiness to name a few and of course, the most important...unconditional, true, pure, undying love.

She was the type of dog that never wanted to inconvenience me, never wanted to get in the way, always was in tune with the people around her and shyed away from untrusting or "bad" people. She never barked unneccessarily. She was an old soul. Until the moment her spirit left her body, I saw in her eyes her love for me and understanding and acceptance of her fate.

I hope in my life time I am able to take the lessons I have learned from her and become a better person, a person more like her.

I love Dutchess so much and that will never change. I hope to see her in my dreams, running, playing, smiling and happy. My life will never be the same without her. I miss her so much.

To Dutchess directly: In case your spirit/soul wants to come back and visit before moving on, I have two memorials set up for you at home. Both in your special places. There is fresh food and water if on your journey you should get hungry or thirsty, there are treats should you need comfort and encouragment, your leash and collar should you need guidance and your winter booties should you need protection from the winter snow. In the morning I change your water and place a picture of you awake on your bed, and at night I change your water and change the picture to you asleep. I light an incense in the morning and night, so that if your spirit is lost, you can follow the smell and smoke of the incense. You will always have a home or place to stop and rest on your journey in the after life. I will never forget about you. I love you my sweet Dutchess, be safe and happy and free forever.