Duke

Duke was born into our first litter from our Holly (litter brother to our Yip), originally known as "Paint", but sold and re-named "Duke".

Duke went to live with a doctor and his family in Chicago -- the doctor passed away a short six months after having Duke (also prior to getting his ears to stand, with his remaining family thinking "flopped" was "cute" and added to his personality). Duke remained with the doctor's family until another tragedy, and his then-owner (the doctor's daughter) decided it best to sell the home, move to a smaller house, and get a job. Unfortunately, she did not feel that they would have enough time for this fellow, so he came back to live with us. Had he not been neutered prior to coming to live with us, I would have had his ears re-cropped and placed him into the Show Ring . . . being quite the handsome dude.

I will always remember the sobbing girls who were in love with this boy their mom was taking away from them, having lost their daddy and home to divorce, their grandpa and aunt to death, and soon their grandpa's house . . . now mom was taking away their Boxer, their only pal through all their turmoil! Duke, too, missed "his girls" . . . he would sit at the fence and moan at the neighbor's girls who later came and asked if he could come out and play.

Sadly, on Monday, July 30, 2001, we helped our Duke to "The Bridge" after suffering a battle with lung cancer. We will be thankful for the four months we had after his diagnosis, the ups where we thought all would be well, and regret the downs where he seemed to suffer. I slept on the TV room floor over a month with both he and his mother while both recuperated from separate illness to regain strength to climb the stairs to the bedroom.

Duke was a "pal" to all who visited, a true ambassador to his breed . . . everyone we met always inquired of Duke. He let trainees use him to practice taping ears, he allowed puppies to tug and pull on his body parts far longer than the rest of the crew, he had full run of the house and only went into a crate when he climbed into a vacated one himself. Duke was instrumental in watching over and helping train many a pup who have passed through our home. Yes, we have had many Boxers, but there will NEVER be another Duke!

Duke is preceded in death by his sister, Sugar (Moonstruck's Rave Reviews), who was lost to an unfortunate accident whereby all gates on our property are now chained and locked; his brother, Yip (Am/Jap Ch. Moonstruck's Standing Ovation) whom we sold to people in Japan where he later passed due to a siezure shortly before his 8th birthday; a full brother from yet another litter, Drummer (Moonstruck's Lil Drummer Boy) due to bone cancer where two more of "our kids" now reside to help fill his void with a loving family in Alabama; as well as his father, Face (Ch. Hollycrest's Stage Hand, SOM); and our mentor/friend, Leon DePriest who guided our breeding to acquire Duke and all his siblings.

When Richard passed, we happily buried the cremains of Duke and others who passed before him with Richard . . . in hopes that all will be together not only in death, but at the Pearly Gates.

Rest well my Duke . . . and all "his family"!

--------------------- Am/Can Ch Donessle's Cassino, SOM
-------------- Ch. Brettendale's Stampede, SOM
--------------------- Ch. Paragon's Nite Shade
------- Ch. Hollycrest's Stage Hand, SOM
--------------------- Ch. Heldenbrand's KS Kid by Peddler
-------------- Ch. Hi-Hill's Rave Review, DOM
--------------------- Hi-Hill's Summer Shadows
Moonstruck's Critic's Choice
--------------------- Ch. Brettendale's Stampede, SOM
-------------- Ch. Hollycrest's Stage Hand, SOM
--------------------- Ch. Hi-Hill's Rave Review, DOM
------ Ch. Hollycrest's Ain't Misbehavin'
--------------------- Aust Ch. Sjecoin inter Forecast
-------------- Sjecoin's Waltzing Matilda
--------------------- Sjecoin Party Doll