THE DUKE OF ALL TIME
My dad was a fan of John Wayne, “the Duke” so it was only appropriate that one of my earliest known family pet as a young child, was named Duke. Serendipitous that John Wayne got this nickname “little Duke” as a child from local fireman because he never went anywhere without his large pet Airedale Terrier, Duke. Our Duke was a very loyal and watchful dog, my dad’s dog who looked out for us kids along-side my mom’s dog, Lassie (yes, a Shelter Collie just like the TV show dog). Like my dad who grew up on a farm in Neligh Nebraska, loved Johnny Cash, and was a very hard worker. I remember Duke always by his side and mine when I broke my leg (kicked by a horse) when I was four years old. Lassie on the other hand, like my mom who grew up in LA, and who loved fashion, ice skating and listened to Ella Fitzgerald was an elegant lady dog who like Duke was always by my side as I struggled along as a toddler with a cast up to my thigh. Her painting will be coming soon!