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We’ve had three Labrador Retrievers in our nearly 40 years of marriage. Each has brought richness to our family.

Duchess, more formally known as Belle’s Duchess of Sneeoosh, died last week following a brief illness. She was just short of her 13th birthday. Those of you who live on or around Valentine Road probably feel like you know her. We spent a lot of time walking through the cemetery, down to Mesman’s trail, where their Burma Shave signs promise, “A walk — in the woods — clears the mind — of rubbish.” So true!

When we first moved to the “ridge” from the “flats,” Duchess ran ahead of us, always looking for trouble. Then as she grew, she assumed the lead dog position, keeping a careful eye out for possible threats. In the final years, she would stroll, stopping frequently to peruse the surroundings before meandering on down the quiet road, sometimes causing our 20-minute walk to turn into an hour.

She also made daily rounds on our lane, and the neighbors were used to seeing her twice a day, just coming by to check on things, perhaps grabbing a snack if anyone was in the mood to offer.

In 2003, Duchess was selected, at 5 weeks of age to be company for our youngest, Carl, because his brother and sister would both be off to college in September.

That was the year Carl contracted bacterial meningitis, and Duchess, just 10 weeks old, was sent to live with our good friends while we stayed by Carl’s bedside at the hospitals in Seattle.

About 3 months into our stay, Carl’s doctor heard about Duchess and wrote a prescription allowing her to visit him at Harborview.

We’ll never forget how that rambunctious pup quieted as she came into Carl’s room. Sensing that he was so sick and in so much pain, Duchess crawled carefully up onto his bed, lay down within reach and went to sleep.

Never a move or a sound did she make until it was time to leave. As Carl grew stronger, Duchess demanded more attention, and once we were home was the best therapy a boy could have.

Duchess led a good life here in “dog paradise.” She was our companion and our comfort. We are so thankful she was a part of our family, and we will miss her very much.