My Pal "Duke"

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This is a true story dating back many years about my dog Duke. I worked for a trucking company and I was driver, mechanic, and in charge of operations. The garage was quite large, it had seven bays and an office. Between driving truck and repairing I was very busy. It got very lonesom in the evening. Most of the time I worked late in the night by my self. One day the owner ask me if I would like to have a dog. There was no hesitation on my part and I said ,yes. He told me a little about the dog. He said that he went to canine school and they mistreated him. After that they could not control him. So he was dimissed from the school. Well that gave me a little of his background which was a blessing to me. Now I knew what I could and couldn't do. The owner brought him to me the next day. When we met we just stood there looking at each other. As if he was sizing me up and I him. After a couple of hours we finally started getting along together. After a couple of days our bond to each other became stronger and stronger. One day I think he wanted to test me and he did. Lucky I came out on top. After that he knew that I was boss and he became my shadow. No matter where I was he was there also. He was a very protective dog, no one could come near me. One day a friend came up to me and patted me on the back, that was the wrong thing to do. It took all I could to control him. Before I go further Duke was a German Shepard. I was also in stock car racing. In the figure eight class. I had three cars. Boy! I can say one thing about that is you were always building cars and repairing them. But thats another story. If any body came and wanted to know where I was, they were told to see where Duke was , there I would be also. I remember one time while working on a truck I seem to have more tools now then when I started. All of a sudden I heard a lot of commotion down at the far end of the garage, here was Duke coming with more tools. One thing I can say, I never ran out of tools. No matter where I was at he was no more than ten feet away. Now comes the heart breaker! It was the weekend of the fourth of July. The race track was very close to the garage. Well! we had fireworks that night and they were very loud. After coming from the track I could not find Duke. I stayed at the shop for a very long time but he never showed. I informed the police because of his training. To you who read this I believe you know how I felt if you had a pet that you loved. Everyday when I came off the road my heart would beat a little faster. Maybe Duke would be there waiting for me by the office door. But everyday was the same,(no Duke) It went on for weeks. I never gave up. Duke will come, I know he will! Well it finally happened, when I came this time there was Duke waiting by the office door. I think I was out of the truck before it even stopped. Let me tell you we had some get together. Yes! I cried tears and those tears were tears of joy fore Duke had come home. Me and Duke were pals for about ten years. It all came to an end. Duke came down with cancer. When Duke died I can tell you I was heart broken. Believe me when I say, I cried. I lost my Pal "Duke" All the memories I have will not be forgotten.