Dutchess

All this time, we've spelled Dutchess' name without the "t". We just discovered this while looking at her adoption papers. Very clearly at the top it says "Dutchess". Matt kept every, single piece of paper associated with her. Seriously, every receipt for anything for her.

Above is a picture of Matt and Dutchess in Galveston on the dunes. She's as happy as a lark.
Dutchess is a very loooong dog as you can see from this backside view. This is the way Penny and Dutchess wait for Matt to come home. Just sitting, laying, starring, waiting for Matt. Matt often tapped on the window to alert them and get them excited. As Dutchess aged, she couldn't hear the taps, but reacted when Penny reacted. Both were wild and crazy when he opened the door. Dutchess still leaps over the threshold of the door despite the obvious arthritis. She's the Flying Dog! ...and had the ears to prove it.

Penny and Dutchess really had a love/hate relationship. Dutchess wanted to and often put Penny in her place by barking at her. As Dutchess aged, Penny became less annoying to her and more helpful. As I said before, Penny became her eyes and ears. Penny was promoted to being first out the door and Dutchess closely followed.
Dutchess sits on the bathmat whenever Matt's in the shower, waiting patiently. From what I've heard, she's always done this. She likes to lick the few drops of water from the tub. She likes water, but definitely does not like taking baths. She's just not that kind of dog.
Dutchess often did not look at the camera so there are not any great face shots of her...but Matt must have tricked her on this one.
Bulletproof fur. Matt always commented on her fur and claimed that she was self-cleaning, meaning that she never needed a bath. For the most part I agreed; the dirt, sand, whatever usually just dried and shook off, but sometimes I think she just needed a bath. When she was bathed she shined. ...and we unclogged the drain full of the thick hair.
Dutchess loved walking on the beach. This is just Galveston which is definitely not like the shores of Long Island, but none-the-less it was enjoyable as you can see from her smile.
Dutchess tolerated dress up. See - She's avoiding facing the camera, but honestly I don't blame her on this one. Poor pumpkin.
...and here she is as a moose.
A proud papa with his moose!
Snoozing. When Matt traveled, Dutchess slept lots. She was a bit depressed without him. The blanket was needed to collect bunches of that bulletproof fur that shed everywhere.
Matt and Dutchess played a game called Snipper Snap. Matt poked and prodded Dutchess and she playfully "fought" back and barked ferociously. She wanted Matt to chase her and he did.