Not going to be near Sacramento, CA on April 18th? Not a problem!
Support the cause by registering for the Tripawds Virtual Walk Team. Download the registration form here! Each “virtual walker” who signs up will receive a Canine Cancer Campaign bandanna for their dog and a Canine Cancer Campaign awareness bracelet for themselves.
Since there are so many dog lovers across the country committed to finding a cure for cancer, The Sacramento Morris Animal Foundation Volunteers have created a “Virtual Walk Option” for friends that would like to support the cause but can not attend the walk. You can register for the Virtual Walk and support the cause long distance by signing up for Team Tripawds.
The Sacramento volunteers are covering all the expenses for this walk, so every cent they raise will go directly to Morris Animal Foundation’s Canine Cancer Campaign. We are hopeful that this very first K9K will be successful. If it is, they will do another in the San Francisco Bay Area in October. Most of all, they are hoping to inspire other dog lovers across the country to host a K9K. Contact the Sacramento Region Canine Cancer Campaign Volunteers for more information.
For Jerry’s whole story, be sure to tune in at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 15! You’ll also hear from many other pet owners and various animal behavior experts. Check your local listings for exact time and station.
Scene from Nature's Why We Love Cats and Dogs, featuring Jerry!
Visit the PBS website for complete details about how to enter your cat and dog photos. Send in your best photo of your favorite four-paws – or three! – to NATURE’s Why I Love Cats and Dogs Photo Contest, then tune-in with your pets for Why We Love Cats and Dogs, Sunday February 15 at 8pm (check local listings).
The five winning photos will receive a DVD of Why We Love Cats and Dogs. The five winning photos and ten runners-up will be featured in a Contest Winners gallery on the PBS NATURE Web site.
Read the contest rules and find out more now. Contest entry is limited to three photos per person, and only photos of cats or dogs will be accepted. We would sure love to see at least one three legged winner! So, enter today and be sure to tune in to your local PBS station on February 15th!
A while back, my pawrents returned to Humboldt County, where I grew up. They got to see Kathy and Diane, my godmothers who ran Happy Dog, my old daycare and boarding kennel. They knew me since I was a puppy. It was my most favorite place in the world when I lived in Eureka. We sure miss seeing them all the time.
Anyhow, while they were there, Mom and Dad got to meet two awesome Tripawds, Teddy and Lucy. Here’s a movie about Teddy and her life after becoming a tripawd. Teddy actually used to live down the street from me, but we never had the chance to meet. Small world, eh?
Stay tuned for Lucy’s incredible rescue story . . .
Among the many new features of our recent blog and forums upgrade is the use of profile avatars, Gravatars and Wavatars … oh my!
Tripawd Forum members can upload their own profile avatar that can appear next to each post from that user. We were excited to hear that we could patch our theme to make those avatars appear next to blog comments posted here by known forum members. Alas, the code didn’t work with new WordPress comment system.
So you ask, what are these Wavatars, and how do I get one? Well, reply below and you’ll have one – the same one if you reply again. They are randomly generated. Unless, that is, you have a Gravatar.
Anyone can get a Globally Recognized Avatar at gravatar.com. This unique profile avatar will be displayed next to posts and comments you make on any blog or social networking site that supports Gravatars. Otherwise you end up with the Mystery Man or some MonsterID.
So get your Gravatar, and keep leaving comments! And don’t forget to update your forum profile with an Avatar too because Gravatrs won’t work there.
So what is the Rainbow Bridge? In short, it is a poem about doggy heaven.
Commercially, it is the title of many books about pet loss. In spiritual terms, it is a metaphorical place known by people whose beloved pets have died.
In reality, it is a blessing of hope for those who love their dogs enough to help them pass on when their time comes …
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.
– Author Unknown
So, this clarifies something we hear a lot in the Tripawd discussion forums. When dogs pass on, they do not “cross” the bridge. When people lay their dogs to rest, they are helping them go “to” the bridge – where they will meet them once again someday. Glad we could straighten that out.
And for the record, the original author of The Rainbow Bridge is unknown. While it is said to have been penned by Oregon grief counselor Paul Dahm in 1981, the poem has been circulated and attributed so widely that no one knows for sure. We don’t care. Ever since my people received a copy along with my remains from the wonderful pet cemetery folks, they think it’s pretty cool and wanted to share it with everyone here.
I joined my people – in spirit and on stage – as they helped launch Nature’s Why We Love Cats and Dogs at the recent TCA Press Conference. The event turned out to be a bigger deal than they expected, but then they really had no idea what to expect.
Jim and René sat on a big stage under bright lights with the program producer Ellen Goosenburg Kent, animal behavior expert Sarah Wilson, and PBS executive director William Grant; and I sat on their laps. After being introduced by WNET’s vice president of content, they walked on stage while a trailer played on huge screens.
Watch Nature’s Why We Love Cats And Dogs February 15, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. (Check local PBS listings for station and time.)
When the lights came up on a ballroom full of reporters, the questions began immediately. How did you decide to sell your home and travel in an RV? How old was Jerry? How’d he lose his leg? Is he still with you? Will you get another dog? Are you still traveling in your RV?
It was all over in an instant. Or so it seemed. But there were plenty of cat questions too. And questions about therapy dogs, animal shelters, and Obama’s dog.
It was strange seeing me larger than life, in front of such an audience, but luckily they were finally able to see the finished program the night before in their hotel room – good thing they brought a laptop! It blew away all of their expectations, but again, they had no idea what to expect.
By no means is the show all about me. It consists of interviews with dozens of pet owners – cat people, dog people, and those who love both. We hear from animal behavior experts who help explain Why We Love Cats and Dogs. The program delves into the relationship we share with our animals, and they share with each other. My story is but one of many touching human / animal bonds.
There is the cat who saved an alcoholic’s life. The woman who broke up with her boyfriend because she couldn’t love him like she loved her dog. And many more. There is even some science explained behind cat agility training. Yes, cat agility!
Two segments feature me in my element – out in the woods with my people, and at my first oncology visit where Dr. Mullins discussed treatment options.
The Nature crew followed us around for a couple days and got to see how I loved life on three legs, and how my people loved life with me.
We are honored that PBS chose us for this program, and that they chose this program to promote the upcoming season of Nature. So mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details.
We are excited to announce the upcoming premiere of NATURE’s WHY WE LOVE CATS AND DOGS airing nationally on PBS Sunday, February 15th at 8PM (check local listings) NATURE is produced by THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG for PBS.
We were met at Dr. Mullins’ office by the show’s wonderful producer and camera crew. They followed us around for a couple days to capture the incredible bond I shared with my people. Then when they heard I was getting sick on the ranch, they visited us again for some more quality time together on camera.
The program gets personal with animal behavior experts and pet owners to find out why people are so attached to their four legged friends.
Or in my case, three legged!
There should be a great deal of info as the airdate gets closer, and we’ll be sure to keep you posted as we hear more. Tell your friends and mark your calendars!
My people are off to the TV Critics Conference in Los Angeles tomorrow where they’ll be sitting on a panel when NATURE announces and previews the show. Stay tuned for more details or download the Nature Press Release PDF.
This is truly exciting for my people, but bittersweet without me. We owe it all to Luke at 2 Dogs 2000 Miles who told the NATURE producer about us. Puppy up my friend!
The new year brings change for all, and all of us here at tripawds.com are no exception.
Over the next few days, we will be making some long awaited upgrades to this website. In order to do so, the discussion forums and chat room will be locked down temporarily. The site may also appear to be offline periodically.
While most tripawds adapt quickly, we know some dogs have trouble with changes to their routine. But we ask that you all please remain calm and balanced while we work hard to make this site better for you. We’ll try to make this as quick as possible, and apologize for the inconvenience. Please stand by …
Now you can join Team Tripawd and support the Morris Animal Foundation’s first K9K Walk for a cure for canine cancer!
Join the Tripawds Community Announcements and Featured Blog Updates forum discussion on this topic.
Among the many new features of our 
So you ask, what are these Wavatars, and how do I get one? Well, reply below and you’ll have one – the same one if you reply again. They are randomly generated. Unless, that is, you have a Gravatar.
In spiritual terms, it is a metaphorical place known by people whose beloved pets have died.
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