November 25, 2015 update:

Amidst all our joy, we have suffered a great loss. Duke left us yesterday afternoon. Although he made it to our BASH on Sunday, the nasal tumour had spread that morning to his eye. By yesterday morning he was much worse.

 Our Miracle Beagle was and always will be one of the rescue stories I hold closest to my heart. Not so much for the severity of what he'd been through but how he overcame it, with such beagle-filled positivity. Duke refused to be defeated no matter how hopeless the situation appeared to be. He taught me so much in that long car ride from Belleville to Toronto.

Little Sir Duke was a valiant soul.

In Duke's honour, I will try to be as positive. Duke did not leave this world after being abandoned at a shelter by his owner although we could feel his heartbreak. Duke did not leave this world on an operating table after being viciously attacked by two dogs while at the shelter. Duke survived all those things and left this world knowing true, unconditional love thanks to his forever foster parents Karen and Bob. Wherever he is now, he carries it with him.

This picture here…this is how I will remember him. All smiles. All joy. Forever frozen in time.

Excerpt from April 1, 2014 eblast:

You Save Them Both…and then some

            As our friend Tina Lovelace would say, it was MISSION PAWSIBLE this past Saturday! First, there was Duke's pick-up...

Yours truly got up early and drove out to the Moira Veterinary Clinic in Belleville where Dukey had his life-saving surgery courtesy of Dr. Chris Tummon (aka Dr. Chris)! I expected a sad sack of a patient, licking his wounds and moaning with well-deserved self-pity. Not Duke. Without a mirror to prove him wrong, Duke seems to have no idea all he's been through. He's our Miracle Beagle with more cheeky optimism than Pollyanna! In the large back room of the vet office, there he was waiting to greet me as though he was the host of a lovely afternoon beagle-tail party. He may have looked terrible with stitches practically every place you looked, but that's only on the outside. On the inside, he's the happiest beagle on earth thanks to the sudden realization that he is LOVED and by so many people!

            First, I want to thank the good people of Quinte Humane Society who were all very devastated by the accident. I never got to meet the dogwalker who was taken by such horrific surprise by the attack, nor did I get to meet the woman who came out of nowhere and saved our Duke before it was too late. She suffered injury herself while doing it.

            Secondly, I want to thank Dr. Chris of the Moira Veterinary Clinic for his compassion, professionalism and, of course, his expertise. This is a fellow who took the time out to call me after the surgery to let me know the promising news that Duke may just survive this tragedy.

            Thirdly, my sincere thanks to Jennifer Sporring-Nicholls of the Quinte Lost Dog Network. She's the gal with the pretty smile pictured with Duke above. I didn't know about Jennifer and her Network until this happened. Jennifer runs regular fundraisers to help homeless animals in times like this. She raised a whopping $500 towards Duke's emergency surgery! We are so grateful for this help.

            In the month of March (excluding Duke's emergency), we incurred close to $6,000 in medical costs for our beagles. But there was absolutely no way we were going to turn our backs on Duke, no matter what the consequences to our funding.

            Duke's emergency surgery amounted to $1,095.69. We raised over $1,500 for Duke in a matter of 2 days. This is where my last expression of thanks comes in. I thank YOU. Not only were we able to cover his initial emergency bill, but we have remaining funds to continue his post-op supportive care at our vets at BEACHES ANIMAL HOSPITAL.

            Duke is doing great. His incision sites are cleaned every day and monitored by the BAH staff. We're hopeful that he'll be ready to go into an experienced, loving and attentive foster home within a week. We've not yet chosen that foster home so please feel free to submit an application for our consideration. And please don't be disappointed on the outcome. We are so happy to receive applications and, if not Duke, you might be best suited for another beagle in need. When we choose a match, it's not only in that beagle's best interest but it's also in yours. To the best of our ability, we want to ensure a happy and rewarding foster experience for both of you.