One dog's blissful last day on Earth: Owner's record of cancer-stricken Dukey's final treats before he was put down

By Joshua Gardner

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A Houston Labrador retriever's final day on earth was documented by grief-stricken owners who wanted to provide the most joyful last moments possible for their pup and the photos--while bittersweet--have managed to bring joy to many thousands of pet owners across the internet as well.

Cancer-stricken Dukey got a goodbye hamburger party, tearful goodbyes from everyone he loved in his too short life, and one final fun-filled trip to the local park.

A blog post featuring all the photos from that day that even includes the exact moment Dukey fell asleep forever was written in the dog's voice by the photographer, a friend of the owners, and is gut-wrenchingly titled 'I died today.'

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'I died today. And I ate a lot of hamburgers': Houston Labrador retriever Dukey recently became the subject of a photo series documenting his last day on Earth

'I died today. And I ate a lot of hamburgers': Houston Labrador retriever Dukey recently became the subject of a photo series documenting his last day on Earth

HOUSTON ? When a pet dies, it can feel like a member of the family has passed. Duke Roberts, a black labrador in Houston, Texas, was no exception. Duke was diagnosed a few years ago with osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor, in his leg. Veterinarians removed his front right leg in hopes of stopping the cancer, but the tumor only grew bigger. ?His tumor was growing rapidly and we were out of options,? wrote Jordan Roberts of her dog. ?He would rally during the day, but his nights were increasingly uncomfortable as his tumor started to separate his ribs. We struggled with the decision to let Dukey go, but ultimately did everything in our power to protect him from further pain.? She made an appointment for Monday, July 7 with the vet for euthanization. Then she called Robyn Arouty, a friend a professional photographer who had shot for Roberts before. She told her about Duke?s last day of life and asked her to come capture it
HOUSTON ? When a pet dies, it can feel like a member of the family has passed. Duke Roberts, a black labrador in Houston, Texas, was no exception. Duke was diagnosed a few years ago with osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor, in his leg. Veterinarians removed his front right leg in hopes of stopping the cancer, but the tumor only grew bigger. ?His tumor was growing rapidly and we were out of options,? wrote Jordan Roberts of her dog. ?He would rally during the day, but his nights were increasingly uncomfortable as his tumor started to separate his ribs. We struggled with the decision to let Dukey go, but ultimately did everything in our power to protect him from further pain.? She made an appointment for Monday, July 7 with the vet for euthanization. Then she called Robyn Arouty, a friend a professional photographer who had shot for Roberts before. She told her about Duke?s last day of life and asked her to come capture it

Last day of suffering: Photographer Robyn Arouty documented Dukey's last day after his owner Jordan Roberts realized she had no choice but to put him down

Popular post: Arouty posted the photos on her blog along with narration of Dukey's last-day party from the dog's point of view

Popular post: Arouty posted the photos on her blog along with narration of Dukey's last-day party from the dog's point of view

'I died today. And I ate a lot of hamburgers,' reads the voice of Dukey on the blog of photographer Robyn Arouty.

Dukey is pictured happily chomping away at a plate full of cheeseburgers. He has just three legs, having lost one to cancer years ago.

More recently, the cancer reappeared and had been causing the young dog serious discomfort. His owner Jordan Roberts made the difficult decision to put Dukey down.

'His tumor was growing rapidly and we were out of options,' Roberts told KSL. 'He would rally during the day, but his nights were increasingly uncomfortable.'

After pigging out on hamburgers, Dukey got to spend some time at a local park

After pigging out on hamburgers, Dukey got to spend some time at a local park

Sick puppy: Dukey got to play in a water playground that's really only for kids. He had just three legs, having lost one to cancer years ago. The tumor had since returned

Sick puppy: Dukey got to play in a water playground that's really only for kids. He had just three legs, having lost one to cancer years ago. The tumor had since returned

'His tumor was growing rapidly and we were out of options,' owner Jordan Roberts explained. 'He would rally during the day, but his nights were increasingly uncomfortable.'

'His tumor was growing rapidly and we were out of options,' owner Jordan Roberts explained. 'He would rally during the day, but his nights were increasingly uncomfortable.'

Happy last day: Dukey's amputation only cured his cancer for a short time. It had recently returned

Happy last day: Dukey's amputation only cured his cancer for a short time. It had recently returned

Blessed boy: Dukey story may be bittersweet, but it has appeared on major websites thanks to the joy seen in his final moments

Blessed boy: Dukey story may be bittersweet, but it has appeared on major websites thanks to the joy seen in his final moments

But before he took his last breathes, Dukey could have the time of his life.

The photos, which have gone viral thanks to stories on Buzzfeed, Reddit and other major sites, showcase Dukey's considerable zest for life in the face of insurmountable odds.

'We got wet today,' reads the caption of a photo where Dukey's having a ball in a little water park that's really for children. 'We broke the rules today.'

The joyful moments come to a close as a few folks from Dukey's party move on to a picnic blanket in the park, where a veterinary professional takes out a needle.

Dukey's owner can't conceal her overpowering grief as her suffering friend begins to go limp.

'I relaxed today. I felt no pain. Even though the tumor grew so big. I felt the love today,' said the voice of Dukey.

Soon to feel better: The party ended at a picnic blanket in a Houston park where Dukey was to have his last moments of discomfort

Soon to feel better: The party ended at a picnic blanket in a Houston park where Dukey was to have his last moments of discomfort

Difficult time: Everyone involved started to choke up as it grew nearer to the moment when Dukey would go to sleep forever

Difficult time: Everyone involved started to choke up as it grew nearer to the moment when Dukey would go to sleep forever

Final goodbyes: Soon everyone was forced to give the joyful pooch their final goodbyes

Final goodbyes: Soon everyone was forced to give the joyful pooch their final goodbyes

'I felt no pain': A veterinary professional came to the park and euthanized Dukey as his emotional friends and owners looked on

'I felt no pain': A veterinary professional came to the park and euthanized Dukey as his emotional friends and owners looked on

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