Duck the Dog

She was a great dog. Loveable, sweet, and still a puppy.

Duck’s life was shaped by tragedy. When she was only 15 days old her mother, Jibby, contracted rabies. Jibby killed most of her litter, save Duck and one other dog. Jibby was beaten to death a few days later after biting a few people in town. Duck and her sister pushed on with the help of my friends Mike and Carly.

Sadly Duck’s sister and fellow pup died only a week later, eaten alive by ants. Duck survived and was able to push on.

Peace Corps doesn’t allow volunteers to have animals, and Duck was never “my dog.” Duck belonged to the neighbors but she was loved by us all. She was trained to sit, to shake, and to be a good dog. Duck would often sit in my door and just wait for a moment to play. Whenever I was home we would run together and be friends.

Duck’s name is peculiar because she was named by a 4 year old American girl who speaks 2 languages. This girl is the daughter of a two wonderful health center workers/volunteers in the middle of the forest; she speaks English in the home and Kafa at school. Duck was only a few days old and the girl was asked “What should we name her?” Quickly she replied “DUCK,” as only a 4 year old could.

Duck was loved and cared for by all on the compound. Duck survived the first month of her life thanks to the efforts of Mike and Carly. I helped take over duties when I moved to Bonga, feeding her powdered milk and rice. Duck and I had a great friendship. She would always run up to me with her ears tucked back; almost like she so happy, that she was embarrassed to see me.

Today Duck died, hit by a car. Dogs run freely around the town, it is nearly impossible to stop them. Mike, Chuck, and I went to dinner and Duck followed. We tried to stop her and even scared her back to the compound, but Duck ran after us anyways. Duck found us at the restaurant and sat at our feet as we ate dinner. We gave her our leftovers when we were done, some meat with bones.

Duck followed us home, running around like usual. Unfortunately fate had other plans for her today. As she played and ran into the road a mini bus ran over her. We tried to stop the bus, but it only slowed and swerved into her path. As the life was escaping Duck’s body we constructed a stretcher and carried her home. Duck took her last breath while being carried by those who loved her.

She was a great dog and will be missed by all who knew her.