Phantom Felines And Other Ghostly Animals - Gerina Dunwich 2006

Duke
Hounds and Hauntings

by Kelli Driscoll

For years, I wondered if my beloved animals were near after death—if they came to check on us. Sometimes I even wondered if an odd orb in a photo was a soul who came to visit. I recently got my answer.

My husband and I have had Great Danes for years, and we always try to have a rescue Dane as well. Our last rescue was Duke. He was seven when we got him—which is old in Great Dane years.

Duke was sickly when we got him. We learned that he was diabetic, and I began giving him insulin injections twice daily. He neither flinched nor complained. In fact, he thrived! He gained weight, became very playful, and just seemed so happy.

I am not sure what his life was like before, but he lived like a king with us, and he always seemed grateful. He was the sweetest boy, and loved to cuddle. I loved him dearly.

After about three years, it became obvious that his time was really short. During the last month of his life he began to lose bladder control a bit at night. We decided that instead of punishing him by moving him to the kitchen, we would put a great big plastic sheet over his bed and cover it with comforters. He could stay in our room with us (which is where he had been since the day we brought him home) and, if I needed to, I could wash the comforters during the day. It actually worked out well, because the plastic sheet would rustle a bit when he moved at night, and toward the end, I always looked over to check on him.

Finally, early one Saturday morning, Duke awoke and struggled to get outside. More than once, we had to help him stand. As hard as it was, we knew what had to be done. We called the vet and took Duke in. Of course, I was crying and upset, as was my husband.

I have always been with my animals when they were put down. In fact, with Danes, I lay on the floor with them until they are gone; it’s just the last gift I can give them. As hard as that is, I could not even imagine them crossing over alone. I am determined that my voice will be the last they hear, and that they will feel my body next to theirs.

We came home and later that day I washed all of Duke’s bedding, folded it neatly, and asked my husband to please take the bag outside. It just broke my heart to look at my side of the bed, where Duke slept.

Later that night, we had gotten into bed and were just lying there talking, mostly about the sorrow of the day and when we thought we would be able to bring Duke home. You see, I have all of my animals cremated, and they are here with us. Well, during a lull in the conversation, I distinctly heard Duke’s bed rustle. I lay there for a few seconds, very quiet, because at first I did not believe what I had heard! And then my husband said very softly, “Did you hear that? It was Duke’s bed. It’s okay; he is home now!”

There was nothing else in the room that could have made that sound! And you know, I truly believe that it was Duke just giving us a sign that it was okay; he was home. I truly believe it was his final little “thank-you.”