RIP Duke the Honey Boy
Had to put my brown boy down Saturday morning after 13 yrs and 8 months of a great life. Duke was a special boy to me as I was born and spent the first 38 years of my life in the mountains of Western Virginia hunting deer and turkeys. I had never shot at a duck or goose till I bought Duke. Being my first lab, I had no idea about titles or pedigrees. All I knew is that I wanted him AKC registered and from hunting lines. I found him through a friend and paid $250 for him and it was the best $250 I ever invested. After getting him, I dived into the many retriever books and websites and learned all I could. I joined a retriever club and I was hoooked. I was proud of him as Duke earned his Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH) title. What was special about Duke is that he introduced me into the world of waterfowling and we had great times hunting ducks and geese from Virginia to Connecticut all the way to a trip we took with my Dad to Manitoba. Memories that will last a lifetime. He was also a great upland dog, be it grouse or pheasants. As my hunting buddies would say - just watch Duke's tail and have your finger ready on the safety! I live in Deep River and hunt up and down the CT River and plan on spreading some ashes of my boy from Great Island to Pratt Cove to the Salmon River Cove where we hunted together. This pic was taken after our last hunt together with a friend late last year. I love ya buddy and you don't have to be steady now and can break anytime you want! Tim
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