"Duke - Our most faithful guardian, who never barked without reason, now he is silent, his voice imprisoned in the silent pathways of night. A year ago we had to let this boy go. I could not have asked for a better companion. Thanks for putting up with all my flaws. ?My eyes are wet with tears, never again shall thou give me a thousand kisses. Never canst thou be contentedly in my lap. In sadness I have buried thee as thou deserve. In a resting place of marble, I have put thee for all time. Laugh not, I pray thee, though it is a dog's grave. In thy qualities, sagacious thou wert like a human being. Ah me! What a loved companion we have lost!?"
In loving memory of
Duke and Tiggy Boettcher
While everyone who chooses to take a pet into their life accepts that they are surrounding themselves with lives more temporary than their own, our precious Duke (Charles the Duke of Burgundy) and Tiggy (Antigone) were more temporary than most.
As they were best friends their entire lives, it only seemed fitting to memorialize them together. Our brave and protective Duke and our sweet, loving Tiggy were only 5 and 6 years old when cancer and heart problems took them from us. Even at such a young age, they were so attached they could not be apart. Tiggy lasted just 3 weeks after her soulmate Duke passed. Despite all the love and the treatment, and as much as she loved us, she could not live without her best friend. They truly embodied the cliché of an old married couple.
Tiggy, I love and miss you so much sweetheart. You taught me so much about life. The time we spent together was invaluable. I will never forget how you refused to go to bed unless you were certain I was going as well. You will forever be in my heart and on my mind.
Duke, I had such great plans for us when you joined our family. You were the dog I wanted my entire life, and the way you welcomed our son home made young parents feel safe, and that everything was going to be okay. I wanted so badly for us to become old and gray together, and share all the hunting adventures you could handle.
I love and miss you both so much. I am so sorry that I put off fun with you so that I could grow up. I regret every missed moment, every pet you didn't get, because I thought we had forever together. Instead, I put off time with us so that I could make something of myself, and it is my deepest regret.
In the two of you we lost far more than pets, we lost family members and friends, and life feels quiet without you. I still listen for you both and miss you every day. My heart will always wear the pawprints left by you.
I cannot wait for the day, when just this side of heaven, you finally spot me again, come flying over the green grass to me, and rain kisses up my face in joyous reunion. When I can again look into your trusting eyes, hold you in my arms again, and make it all up to you, before we cross the Rainbow Bridge together. Never again to be separated. Take care my best friends, my beautiful puppies.
Love,
Daddy
Tributes
""Surely even as thou liest in this tomb I deem the wild beasts yet fear thy white bones, huntress Lycas, and thy valor great Pelion knows, and splendid Ossa and the lonely peaks of Cithaeron.""
""Issa's more pert than Lesbia's sparrow love, purer than kisses of a turtle dove, more sweet than a hundred maidens rolled into one. Rarer than India's precious stone. She is the pet of Publius. Issa dear; she whines, a human voice you seem to hear.""
""Here the stone says it holds the white dog from Melita, the most faithful Eumelus; bull they called him while he was alive; but now, his voice is imprisoned in the silent pathways of night.""
""They never barked without reason, but now, they are silent.""
""This is the tomb of the dogs Duke and Tiggy, who perished. Whom Zach shed tears for and buried like a human. We are the dogs Duke and Tiggy, and Zach set up this tomb for us!"
""To our hounds, foster children, souls without comparison and deserving of praise.""
""My eyes are wet with tears, our little dog, when I bore thee to the grave. So, never again shall you give me a thousand kisses. Never canst thou be contentedly in my lap. In sadness I have buried thee, as thou deserves. In a resting place of marble, I have put thee for all time by the side of my shade. In thy qualities, sagacious, thou wert like a human being. Ah me! What a loved companion we have lost!"
""Thou who passes on this path, if haply thou dost mark this monument, Laugh Not! I pray thee, thou it is a dog's grave.""
""I am in tears, while carrying you to your last resting place as much as I rejoiced when bringing you home in my own hands for the first time.""
"Sentiments from ancient Greek and Roman inscriptions, to my best friends, long lost, yet still, never forgotten. I love you still as I loved you then. Thank you for your unconditional love, it was always returned tenfold, even when you felt I let you down."
"Since we lost these wonderful gems a year ago, I needed to add some tributes, despite the fact it took two weeks after the 3rd of May, when we had to let Duke go (purely my own weakness). First, from ancient Greek and Roman sources, and then my own personal tribute combining them.
While I may have addressed you in age order following your passing my darlings, I will now address you in order of your passing, especially since emotions and regret seem to follow the order of the date."