Hello, my name is Duke and I want to tell you about myself. I am a 68 pound Lab mix with Brindle markings and am now (2003) about 6 1/2 years old. I am very calm inside or outside except at playtime with my new friends. We have fun together.

The people that I was living with dumped me and my two old friends at the Amelia pound because they lost the place they were living. One of my friends was very old and sick. I am sorry to say did not make it.

One day in April of 2003 a man came and got me from the pound. He took me home overnight and we went for a long ride the next day to see a lady that said she wanted to adopt me. Sometimes people hear about some kind of tests to give us for temperament, but don't understand what they are doing. The lady picked up my right front foot and held it. It seemed funny to me, but I did not mind. Then she picked up my left foot and gave me what you might call a "bone crusher handshake". It hurt so bad I barked and growled at her. I did not try to hurt her, but quickly pulled my foot away and backed up. She said I had a bad attitude. Then when I limped on my left foot for the fifteen or twenty more minutes we stayed there she said something was wrong with me. I had arthritis or something else wrong with my left leg and it would need to be treated by a Vet which would be expensive. Well, I am thankful that I did not have to stay with her. She had a bad attitude and blamed me when she hurt me. When we arrived home I was not limping any longer. The man rubbed my left leg ad held my foot. I didn't care. He did not hurt me. Then he called the pound and told them I could stay with him, Casey, Jake, and Sage until I could find a good home.

About a week later he went back to the pound and got my other friend Shakespeare. He was a Collie mix. A nice couple came down from Maryland and adopted him. I could see they loved him. Shakespeare and their other dog were great together also. We have heard from his new mama a couple of times and he is doing great. I miss him, but am very happy he has a good home.

They say big black dogs are hard to adopt out and I guess that is right. I am still here. My new Papa is very careful about who might adopt me. I hope he does not find anyone. I am happy here with my new home and friends. I get plenty of good food, am allowed to stay inside almost all the time, and get lots of love and attention.

Duke

P.S.
It has been almost a year now and Papa says I am a wonderful dog and I am staying here with my friends. I don't have to start another life with a new family.

It's now May 2006 and I am still here and doing fine!