"Are you a nice farm dog?"
That was the first thing I said to Max, the famous husky from the infamous dog-and-duck duo out of Strout, Minnesota, last fall. He was grunting at me as he moseyed up to me, but any noise Max made was almost silent compared to his counterpart, Quackers, whose name alone suggested he was normally a chatty bird.
That talkative duck, who followed his best friend everywhere, passed away unexpectedly last Thursday. As I was getting ready to go to dinner Friday night, a text message came through to break the news, and a fog of surrealism came over me. The story of Max and Quackers has remained a highlight of my time at the Independent Review, and I often look back on their friendship when I need a reminder of how good the world can be. It was a hard pill to swallow that the second half to a beloved friendship was no longer with us on this earth.
It was apparent that those two friends, who lived life in the slow lane (metaphorically and literally, due to 12-year-old Max taking it easy on his joints), displayed a level of loyalty I had never seen in animals personally before. Their difference in species proved to be no obstacle for them, and in the throes of a political climate, it was extremely refreshing to witness. They demonstrated love and contentment, peace and comfort in the company they kept.
For that, Quackers will undoubtedly be missed by the community who came to love him and what he represented.
At the Independent Review, we had received a tip that a dog and duck consistently sat roadside together, but the origins of this camaraderie was a bit of a mystery. The follow-up was assigned to me, and I didn't complain. Driving down country roads and looking for animals to photograph hardly seemed like work, and I was glad to do it.
Having just moved to Litchfield, I was in need of a shining light that would bring me joy. I had no clue that coming across Max and Quackers would be that beacon of happiness and love.
I spent a chunk of Monday night at the residence of Patrick and Kirsten Riley, the family who adopted Max all those years ago and raised Quackers since he was a duckling. Kirsten, who kindly shared the story of the animals back in October, explained that while some people are crazy about cats, she is crazy about ducks. Quacker's passing undoubtedly shook the family, but the misery Max must have felt realizing his companion wasn't coming back to him must have been devastating.
But when one chapter ends, another begins.
The Rileys brought home two ducklings Sunday evening. Ducky and Quackers Jr. are now official members of the Riley clan; and Max, who walked up to me in his signature gait, has perked up since the new ducklings entered his world. They will someday be allowed to roam the house, but for now they're outdoor pets, and they sleep in the heated garage alongside Max like Quackers had.
The ducklings will also be spoiled with a "decked-out" duck house. And when you're entering a legacy of rural Minnesota royalty, they deserve just that.
It's a happy ending to this dog-and-duck tale, and while Max is the remaining member of a famous duo, he's now part of a loving trio.
