Duke was (and quite honestly, still is) our entire world. He was the sweetest, silliest, loving, smartest, docile, animated cuddle bug - our true best friend & soulmate.

Duke was the kind of dog who changed our lives forever. He taught us what unconditional love looked like, what loyalty felt like, and what it meant to truly feel at home.

Nick rescued Duke back in April 2015 and the cliche saying could not be more true- Duke rescued Nick just as much. And when I was lucky enough to be a part of Duke’s life in 2022, I had no idea I had met my very best friend & souldog.

In 2025, we learned Duke had cancer. We did everything we could to give him more time and more good days. On January 11, 2026, one day before his 11th birthday, we had to say goodbye to our sweet boy. Our world has never been the same.

When we realized we did not want grief and anger to overwrite our story and beautiful life with Duke, we decided to use it as fuel to help celebrate him- a la, Because of Duke Foundation.

Like so many families, we experienced first hand how emotionally and financially overwhelming veterinary care and medical decisions can become. However, we also experienced something else, just how precious every extra moment together truly is.

Because of Duke Foundation was created in honor of the love, comfort, joy, and companionship he gave us every single day. What began as heartbreak became a mission to help other families get more quality time with the dogs they love.

Through veterinary financial support, adoption support, and rescue advocacy, we hope to honor Duke’s legacy by helping dogs and the people who love them experience more time, more support, and more moments together.

In Duke’s memory, we want to make sure no family has to say goodbye sooner than they should because of financial barriers.

Because of Duke, something beautiful continues.🐾💙