My name was Duke. I was a great dane that had somehow got with the wrong people. I am not sure how I came to be in the shape I was in back in 1983. But let me tell you I was a mess. I had somehow got to the Mississippi Welcome Center. Once there I would go around to the trash cans for food. Once or twice a kind human would throw me something to eat. No one would pet me because of the way I looked and smelled. I also had people throw bottles and things at me. I was there just for a few weeks before the dog catcher came for me. He tried every way possible to catch me. But after years of abuse at the hands of humans I decided my best bet was to hide. But he did not go away. Finally a man at the center asked if he could have me if he could catch me. He was told no because of how sick I was. Finally I gave in and the dog catcher caught me. My story is like so many others. Bacuse of what humans had let happen to me I was the one to pay the price. Back at the shelter it was decided that I was just to sick. For me help had come to late. In my last hour of life I felt the loveing touch of human hands as they helped me cross over from my world of pain into everlasting peace. The one thing I would like to know is why I had to suffer like I did. What did I do so wrong as to be treated as I was? I am at peace now. The pain I had been in for so long is gone. I wonder though who will take me into heaven like all the loved pets here. Maybe the kind lady who gave me the name of Duke. The one who was there with me till the end. She seemed liked a nice lady. I hope so.

Duke was at one time a beatiful dog but because of neglect he had got the mange. By the time we were called to come get him at the welcome center the mange had covered his whole body. His skin had already began to rot. The smell was so bad we could only be with him far a short time before we became sick ourselfs. Duke did nothing wrong. He did not deserve this. I just hope his story will help other dog owners to think twice about how they treat their pets. No animal should ever have to suffer like this.