When Oreoluwa Osoba adopted Duke in 2023, he was going through one of the darkest periods of his life. What began with a three-month-old Miniature Schnauzer soon became something much bigger: family, companionship and, eventually, a creative partnership that millions of people now know as Ogaduke. Rooted in his Nigerian upbringing and his mother’s lessons about love and sacrifice, Osoba’s relationship with Duke is about more than viral comedy. It is a story about the quiet ways dogs stay with us, understand us and sometimes change the course of our lives.
What was your childhood like in Nigeria?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "Growing up in Nigeria shaped so much of who I am today. My childhood was a mix of love, discipline, community, and learning to be resilient from a young age. I didn’t have my father around growing up, so I was raised by my mother, who worked incredibly hard to give us the best life she could. Like many Nigerian children, I grew up with plenty of discipline and the famous “because I said so!” moments. But beyond the strictness, there was love, sacrifice, and a strong sense of family. Not having my father around wasn’t always easy, and there were moments when I felt that absence deeply. But it also taught me independence, resilience, and the importance of becoming the kind of person I wished I had around me. Looking back, my childhood wasn’t perfect, but it shaped me in ways I’m grateful for. It taught me to value love, family, hard work, compassion, and most importantly, to never let difficult circumstances determine the kind of person I become."
What did home teach you about love?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "Home taught me that love is often found in sacrifice. Growing up without my father around, I watched my mother work incredibly hard to make sure we were okay. She taught me that love isn’t always about saying the right thing. It’s about showing up, providing, protecting, and doing your best even when you’re tired. It also taught me what I wanted to be different in my own relationships and family. I learned that love should feel safe, reassuring, and present. That’s something I try to give the people I love today. I think that’s why being Duke’s dad means so much to me. I want Duke to grow up never questioning whether he is loved, wanted, or enough. I want him to experience the reassurance and presence I sometimes wished I had growing up."
And about family?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "It taught me that family should be a place where you feel safe, accepted, and supported. Today, I try to create that kind of family with Duke. He may have four legs, but he has taught me that family can come in forms you never expected—and that love can create a home too."
What part of that upbringing is still with you today?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "One of the biggest parts of my upbringing that is still with me today is understanding what sacrifice really looks like. I remember my mum working three jobs, and despite being exhausted, she would still come home and wash my school uniform so I could look neat and presentable for school the next morning. Those little moments stayed with me. As a child, I didn’t fully understand how tired she must have been, but as I’ve grown older, I realise just how much love was behind those sacrifices. She taught me that showing up for the people you love matters, even when you’re tired, even when life is difficult, and even when nobody is watching. That lesson has stayed with me, and it’s something I carry into the way I love and care for Duke today."
“Sometimes you don’t need someone to have all the answers. Sometimes you just need someone to stay. And Duke stayed.”
How did Duke come into your life?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "Duke came into my life in 2023, when I adopted him at just three months old. At the time, I was going through a really difficult period in my life and struggling with depression. I needed a reason to get up, feel connected, and experience joy again."
What did you notice about him first?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "The first thing I noticed about Duke was his personality. Even at just three months old, there was something about him that felt different. He was so expressive, curious, and full of character. His little eyes immediately caught my attention, and I remember thinking, “This boy has a personality!” I didn’t know it then, but that little puppy would become such a huge part of my life. He had this way of making me smile even when I was going through a really difficult time, and I think that’s when I first realised there was something special about him."
“I want Duke to grow up never questioning whether he is loved, wanted, or enough.”
When did he become family?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "I think Duke became family on the night I realised just how deeply he was connected to me. I was going through one of the darkest moments of my life and had reached a point where I was planning to take my own life. I remember filling Duke’s food bowl, but instead of eating, he kept barking at me. He wouldn’t stop. Eventually, his barking was loud enough that my neighbour came in to check what was happening. That moment changed everything. In a way, Duke was telling me that something wasn’t right, even though he couldn’t possibly understand what I was going through. His refusal to leave me alone became the interruption I desperately needed. That was the moment I stopped seeing him as just a dog. He was family. He was my little boy, and in that moment, he reminded me that my life mattered. I’ll never forget that night, because I genuinely believe Duke saved my life."
What do you love most about him?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "What I love most about Duke is that he gets me. He seems to understand me without me having to say anything. He knows when I’m happy, when I’m quiet, and when something is wrong. There’s something incredibly special about being understood without having to explain yourself. Duke has this way of simply being there, and sometimes that’s all I need. He doesn’t judge me, he doesn’t ask me to be anything other than myself. He just loves me. And I think that’s what I love most about him."
How did Duke become part of your work?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "Honestly, I never planned to create content with Duke. It happened completely by accident. My friends would come around and see the way Duke and I interacted, and they started recording little videos of us. They would upload them to their social media platforms without me really thinking much about it. One day, they came over and said, “We need more videos.” I was confused and asked, “What are you talking about?” They told me they had been making videos of Duke and me and that people genuinely loved watching our relationship. They said, “We think you should take this seriously.” That was really the beginning of Ogaduke. I never set out to become a content creator. I was simply being myself with Duke, and people connected with the bond they saw between us. What started as my friends casually filming us eventually became something much bigger than I could have imagined."
Who is Duke when the camera is off?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "When the camera is off, Duke is just my boy. He’s playful, affectionate, dramatic, and honestly a little spoiled. People see the funny, expressive Duke online, but at home he’s much more than that. He follows me everywhere, wants to be involved in everything I’m doing, and somehow always knows when I need a little extra attention."
“He understands that sometimes, Daddy just needs his boy.”
Where does your Nigerian dad side come out with him?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "My Nigerian dad side definitely comes out when Duke starts misbehaving. I love him deeply, but Nigerian parenting has taught me that love and discipline can exist in the same sentence. Sometimes I’ll give him the full African dad lecture like he understands every single word I’m saying. I’ll be like, “Duke, look at me. Do you think this is acceptable behaviour?” And the funny thing is, he’ll actually sit there looking at me like he’s listening. But underneath all the jokes, I think my Nigerian dad side comes from wanting to raise him with good manners, respect, and accountability. I’m very big on teaching him that being loved doesn’t mean he gets to do whatever he wants. Basically, Duke gets plenty of love, but he also gets the occasional “come and sit down, let’s talk about what you’ve done.”
What has he taught you about life?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "Duke has taught me that sometimes the greatest lessons in life come from the most unexpected places. He has taught me to slow down and appreciate the little things—to be present, to love without conditions, and to show up for the people who depend on you. He’s also taught me that vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s okay to need comfort, to have difficult days, and to let someone love you through them. Most importantly, Duke taught me that life can change when you least expect it. I got him during one of the darkest periods of my life, never imagining that this little dog would become such a huge part of my healing. He taught me that sometimes you don’t need someone to have all the answers. Sometimes you just need someone to stay. And Duke stayed."
“I want my work to inspire more kindness. To animals, to ourselves, and to each other.”
What do you want your work to change or inspire in society?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "I want my work to change the way people see animals and the relationship we have with them. I want people to understand that dogs aren’t just pets, they’re family, they have emotions, personalities, and the capacity to change our lives in ways we sometimes don’t expect. I also want to use my story with Duke to encourage people to be more open about mental health, especially men. I know what it feels like to struggle silently, and if sharing my journey can make someone feel less alone or encourage them to ask for help, then it means something. Ultimately, I want my work to inspire more kindness to animals, to ourselves, and to each other. If Duke and I can make someone laugh, make them feel understood, or even encourage them to treat an animal with a little more love, then I feel like we’re doing something meaningful."
Where do you want to take it next?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "I want to take Ogaduke beyond just social media. What started as me sharing my life with Duke has grown into a community, and I want to use that platform to create something that genuinely makes a difference. I want to tell more stories about the bond between people and their pets, continue advocating for better treatment of animals, and create conversations around mental health, especially through the perspective of men and African families. I’d also love to build something lasting with Duke wether that’s through books, documentaries, events, or projects that support animal welfare and shelters. Ultimately, I don’t just want Ogaduke to be a successful brand. I want it to become a legacy. Something Duke and I can look back on and know that we used our story to make people laugh, feel less alone, and see animals and life itself a little differently."
What does Duke understand about you without you ever having to say it?
Oreoluwa Osoba: "Duke understands my emotions without me having to say a word. He knows when I’m happy, when I’m stressed, when I’m tired, and especially when I’m not okay. There are days when I don’t want to talk or explain what I’m feeling, and somehow, Duke just knows. He’ll come and sit beside me, follow me around, or simply stay close. He doesn’t try to fix anything. He just stays. I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about our bond. Duke doesn’t need me to explain myself. He knows me through my silence, my energy, and my little changes. He understands that sometimes, Daddy just needs his boy. And somehow, he always seems to know exactly when."
