tripawds.com

Something that always kept me and my people going was the thought of all the other dogs out there fighting their own cancer battle, and all their wonderful people supporting the cause of cancer awareness.

One such incredible pack is Luke Robinson, Hudson and Murphy.

If you don’t know about the Big Dog and the Boys – or haven’t checked on them in a while – drop by the  2 Dogs 2000 Miles Blog to find out where they are now. And don’t forget to Puppy Up!

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Back in September when we were in Denver, we were lucky enough to meet up again with the most awesome sled dog around, Calpurnia. Only this time, she and her team were getting ready for the snowy season, by practicing on dirt roads in the Colorado mountains. It was a beautiful, early fall day, and we had such a great time seeing how much this team loves to mush. They live for it!

Sadly, as you know, so much has changed since then. The day after I was set free to go on my own journey, my pawrents learned the awful news that Calpurnia’s teammate, LilBit, passed away, very unexpectedly.

Calpurnia’s pawrents have been coping with this devastaing loss, all while preparing the team for the upcoming mushing season. On one recent run, Calpurnia’s Mom TC, had a beautiful experience in which she truly felt the presence of her beloved LilBit, in which he told her, “I’m OK Mamma, really. I’m with Jerry now.”

TC shared her story with us, and we would like to share it with you now. We hope you think it’s as beautiful as we do.

“We went training this morning in the same area where we met you a few weeks ago. Dave took the bigger team and I took a smaller team on my own. The first snow had dusted the area over night, so everything was white with the golden aspen leaves raining down on us.

We went up over a hill and a gorgeous vista opened up looking back into the Tarryall Mountains that were dusted in white. About this time, as the team was just trotting happily along, I started hearing the sound of dog tags jingling off on the left and right sides of the trail. I thought maybe someone (a hunter?) had dogs that were following us, but I never saw one. The jingling dog tags followed us down a valley and across a stream and up the other side - happily zig-zagging all around us in those golden leaves on the snow. Even with the ATV powered down so I could listen better, I heard them. Two distinct tag noises. The dogs didn’t seem terribly excited as they would if a strange dog was around.

When we rounded the corner back to the main road, I lost the sounds. I turned around to look over my shoulder and see if I could see the “dogs” and two coyotes were sitting on the hill watching us. They stood and ran back the way we had come into the woods. It was magical.

I know that your hearts are broken for Jerry as ours are about LilBit. But maybe, somehow, they are playing together and sent those coyotes to watch the team go by and cheer me up a little. Keep your eyes peeled - I suspect Jerry is somehow watching you as you guys continue your adventures. You are right - he is all around you.”

When my parents first saw Rocco’s photo, they did a double take. Who is that handsome boy? Could he be related to our Jerry?

We share a lot of the same loves. Swimming, chewing up sticks, and living life with gusto on three legs. Here’s Rocco’s inspawrational story . . .

Rocco was born in July, 1999. His Mom Cathy says, “We live in Leavenworth, Washington, where we get lots of snow, he enjoys that as well.  He likes carrying huge chunks of snow around, and burying things in the snow.”

Rocco enjoys swimming, running, jumping, playing “chuck-it,” and he likes to tease. He especially enjoys it when Mom and Dad are together in the same room just kicking back.

“He still has the mind of a teenager and is full of life,” says Cathy.

“Rocco is actually too intelligent,” his Mom says. “Sometimes we feel inferior to his thinking.  He tries so much to communicate his wants and feelings and we really have to stop, listen, think and review the situation.”

He was diagnosed in April of this year with bone cancer.

Cathy says “At first, we thought he had just wrenched his shoulder. Upon taking him to our local vet, we received the punch in the stomach news that he has hemangiosarcoma. We immediately went to Washington State University, and commuted the 8-hour round trip for each treatment. They have been wonderful.”

Right from the start he had to have a splenectomy, had a biopsy for his shoulder, then began radiation, chemo, then his leg with the tumor broke, simply due to the bone being weakened. Following the break he had an amputation in early summer, and has been doing great.

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Click image to view full size. Thank you Lalla!

My pawrents went for a hike today, and I do believe I have convinced them that my spirit will always be close by. As they climbed the trail, I ran on up ahead of them, tongue wildly flapping and my paws blazing a muddy path, just like the old days.

When they got up to the snow line, my Mom looked around, and in her heart, she finally understood that I truly am “everywhere.” With just one look at the sunlight hitting the big cedar trees, and hearing the sound of water trickling in a stream, she was certain she felt my presence.

These signs I gave her provided all the comfort she needed to get through today, exactly one week after I earned my wings.

These photos were taken on the day we parted ways here on earth. It was hard for my pawrents to look at them today, and share them with you now. But, in the spirit of learning and coping wth cancer, we have always promised to be upfront and tell the whole story about how the three of us coped with my diagnosis, and, just like my surgery photos, these pictures of me in my final hours are another way that they wanted to share our story with you. Please don’t be sad for me when you look at them, for I am running free now.

As Mom and Dad descended the mountain, they both heard a dog bark in the distance, even though they were miles from civilization. They looked at each other, and smiled. Without saying a word, they both understood that I will always be at their side. We hiked down the mountain together, a family forever together, in eternity.

What Now?

Thank you to everyone for helping my pawrents get through this past week, with your beautiful words of comfort and sympathy. My pawrents are awestruck by all of you kind-hearted souls who have said such nice things, and helped them to see the light at the end of their grief.

Many of you have wondered if Tripawds will continue, and we just want to reassure you that yes, it will. Knowing how much of a help it has been to so many people all over the world, gives my pawrents so much joy, they couldn’t imagine their lives without it.

Others have asked if there is anything they can do to help Tripawds live on. First of all, please know that it’s because of your stories, your participation, and your generous giving of time and energy that makes Tripawds the resource that it is. Now that I’m no longer physically around to make movies and demo products, there are definitely some specific things that you can do to help continue our mission, such as:

• Send us your movies and photos that show the world how awesome life on three legs can be
• If you hear of any new products, foods, etc., that have helped you, let us know
• Write a brief blog post, about your life on three legs, ampuversaries, etc., and we’ll publish it
• Keep on participating in the discussion forums
• Suggest articles, resource tips, and other ideas about how we can make Tripawds even better
• Distribute information about tripawds.com
• Spread the word about our Tripawds Store and three legged dog merchandise

Thank you!

Thank you everyone, for the love and sympathy. We are honored to be in your life, and promise you that we aren’t going anywhere.

Meanwhile, my pawrents would like to share a sampling of the many beautiful sentiments that have been emailed directly to them this week, not posted on Tripawds.

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My people will soon explain their timing and decision processes for helping me be free of my cancer ridden body. But let me share why I had to leave this earth on Friday, October 3, 2008.

You see, it was in Assisi, Italy on October 3, 1226, that one Franciscan friar by the name of Giovanni Francesco Bernardone was laid to rest. Catholics know him as the patron saint of animals, the environment and Italy. It is customary for Catholic churches to hold ceremonies honoring animals around his feast day of October fourth.

I had to be there for him.

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Many thanks to Spirit Lalla for sending us this photo from puppy heaven.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life in eternal peace and happiness.

Though my people held me this morning as my body was peacefully laid to rest, my spirit shall live on forever here in this blog and these discussion forums.

We’ll share more experiences from my last days after we’ve had a little time to process my passing. But for now, suffice it to say that I am in a better place. Breathing easy and running free.

Let me just share with you this little Irish Blessing we first heard at my dear old friend Don’s wake. It perfectly summarizes how we want you to feel …

An Irish Blessing

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free!
I follow the plan God laid for me.

I saw his face, I heard his call,
I took his hand and left it all …
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.

And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss …
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much;
Good times, good friends, a loved-one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief –
Don’t shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.

The other day, when my people were gonna take me to the local vet, I was feeling so good that we decided to just go enjoy life instead.

We went to check out more of Grand Teton National Park and took lots of pictures. I even played a bit and chewed on some sticks.

But boy did that tire me out!

When we got back, I had fun catching popcorn with gusto and gulping it down … All this from a dog who, a few weeks ago, wouldn’t eat a thing.

Today? Eh, not feeling so hot. Maybe I’m just hungover from my birthday party last night. Such is life on the emotional roller coaster that is cancer in dogs.

But what does that matter when every day is a great day?

We’re off to Yellowstone Park now. Maybe we’ll run into Yogi Bear and go find us some pic-a-nic baskets.

There’s a reason I’ve been hangin’ in there … Today is my birthday! Well, this month is since we don’t know the exact date.

I am now 10 years old! With plenty of reason to celebrate. For starters, I’m getting a big steak for dinner and carrot cake for dessert.

My people also gave me a new pill – Albuterol. It’s supposed to help me breathe easier. Which I suppose it did, but the side effects make my heart race so I’m panting like crazy. Or maybe I’m just excited about my special birthday dinner.