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The first milestones we face without our Tripawd family member are some of the hardest challenges we will endure in our grief. Here at Tripawds, you are never alone in these circumstances.

Today, Tripawds member and supporter OK Scout (Catherine Ronck) is facing a first difficult milestone herself, after Scout’s courageous, nine-month cancer battle ended in November. Today would have been Scout’s 10th birthday.

To honor his memory, Catherine sent Tripawds a generous gift of support and also wrote this touching essay, which we would like to share it with you as we wish her Golden boy a very hoppy birthday, and send lots of hugs out to Catherine.

“Today is Scout’s first birthday at the bridge; it would have been his 10th birthday here on Earth.

We had big plans for today, but instead of celebrating, we are left reflecting on Scout’s life. It was a good life, too short, but sadly, when dogs are concerned, there is never enough time. It’s been nearly three months since Scout died, and there are so many things I miss.

I miss our morning and evening walks. In the mornings, we’d head towards the elementary school to deliver my eldest daughter and go on from there.

In the evenings, we’d hit the streets again. In the summer, Scout would return from the walk and jump right into the pool for a quick dip– the purpose of this was not to swim, but to get soaking wet so that when he got out and rolled in the dirt, he would be completely and utterly filthy. When we lived in Houston, we’d usually start out in the neighborhood and then head over to the bayou.

Our neighborhood was mid-Century; each home had a large window in the front. Scout loved to center himself in front of those windows to do his business. When my daughter was toilet training, she too, loved to go potty in front of those darn windows, just like Scout. We had a portable potty for her, but you can imagine the scene…

One night as we were taking a nighttime perambulation (and Scout was doing his business in front of one of those giant windows), a police car pulls up and a police officer gets out. I make a big show of my poop bag thinking someone has finally called the cops on us, but it turns out she was just warning us of a suspect in an armed robbery– he was dressed all in black– had we seen him? Scout and I decided then and there to take up jogging.

I miss Scout grabbing the leash as we rounded the corner towards home. He loved to play tug of war with the leash on the home stretch. I’d eventually let him have the leash and he’d take himself home.

I miss Scout running from sprinkler to sprinkler on our hot summer walks. I always brought water along, but Scout preferred the neighbors’ sprinklers.

I miss closing doors after Scout. Scout was wickedly clever and could open any door that involved turning a handle and pushing. How he could figure out the opening of the doors and never the closing, I’ll never know.

I miss settling down on the sofa to read to my kids and having Scout, ever so politely, force his way into the best spot–scoot over little humans.

I miss immediately clearing off the counters after cooking– now I can bake a pan of muffins and leave the half full muffin pan on the stove to cool. I hate this.

I miss the sound of Scout drinking– it was always in threes– slurp, slurp, slurp… pause… slurp, slurp, slurp. Sometimes I imagine I hear this….

I miss Scout’s nighttime routine. First, he would lay next to my bed, then, after about 30 minutes, he’d pad over to sleep next to my eldest daughter, then at about 3 AM, he’d come back to my room and lie near the open doorway. Finally, around 5, he’d return to his bed next to me.

I miss the whistling sound Scout would make every time you said “RIDE.”

I miss driving with Scout’s enormous head jammed under my armpit.

I miss Scout being constantly by my side– no matter what room I was in, Scout would be there.

I miss the sound of Scout running to the kitchen any time a packet of cheese was opened– that dog could be in the farthest corner of the back yard and hear a cheese wrapper.

I miss his soft fur– goldens have a bad reputation for being shedders, but in fact, golden fur is fantastic as it forms “tumbleweeds” and these tumbleweeds collect discretely under the sofa or under the bed. No bother at all.

I miss those sparkling, mischievous, intelligent brown eyes.

I miss my furry vacuum cleaner. I have used the vacuum ten times as often since Scout died– turns out 3 small kids make ten times the mess with their food as Scout did with his fur tumbleweeds.

I miss Scout leaping over the front flowerbed to greet visitors. I miss running wildly after him to prevent him leaping up on their cars. More than one paint job Scout ruined…

I miss Scout offering his paw — he loved paw massages.

I miss Scout’s “love noises” when he was receiving a paw massage or other petting. Love noises were also heard in anticipation of food. Always a glutton.

Scout loved to lie at the foot of the stairs. I miss the final, furry step.

Scout’s vets blew his diagnosis– so he walked hundreds of miles on a cancerous, moth eaten leg. No problem for my too tough boy. However, if a a sticker should get lodged in his paw, he’d go down like he’d been shot, writhing in pain. You were an odd dog, Scout.

So many things I miss about you.

I am not usually a big fan of poetry, but the poem OKim1 posted in 2008 really spoke to me. Here it is again.

 I ONLY WANTED YOU

They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I’d walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

— Anonymous —

 Happy Birthday Scout.

In Memory of Scout Ronck
January 31, 2002 – November 8, 2011

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The Tripawds community spirit sparkled earlier this week, when five members gathered at the Fiesta Island Off-Leash Dog Beach in San Diego, California.

They were there to honor the spirit of Tripawd Warrior Princess Abby, a special girldog who left us far too soon on Tuesday afternoon, when she found the perfect set of wings to help her soar through the heavens.

Tribute to Abby Day

Abby’s momma Jackie, who less than 24 hours earlier unexpectedly had to say goodbye to her princess, somehow found the strength to bravely meet up with everyone.

Perhaps it was because Tripawds members who were there had all been through the heartbreak of losing a pup to bone cancer and knew what Jackie was going through. When your grief seems unbearable, maybe being surrounded by people who can empathize is the only thing that can ease the pain, just a little?

Spirit Maximutt’s people, John and Diane, their infamous Bernie Bin Laden and sweet pup Linda, were there to support Jackie on her first day without Abby, along with the notorious Tripawds Spokesdawg Wyatt Ray and my pawrents, Jim and Rene.

The afternoon was dubbed “Tribute to Abby Day” and instead of everyone individually mourning the loss of one of the all-time greatest Tripawd Warrior Princesses ever, the power of the pack came together to watch fun, crazy canine antics take place between Wyatt, Linda and Bernie. What a beautiful day it was, on one of Abby’s favorite places on earth.

“If you’d told me I’d go back to Fiesta Island the day after losing our girl, I’d have said you were crazy,” said Jackie, in Angel Abby’s blog. “But that’s what I did today. And I’m so glad I went.”

Later, the gang went to In ‘N Out Burgers after, to salute Abby at her favorite restaurant, with her signature Flying Dutchman hamburger.

One of the best parts of the day was when Jackie presented my people with her handmade version of ME! My Momma got all watery-eyed when she saw it, it looks so much like me.

That’s me and Angel Abby. Aren’t we a match made in heaven?

Tripawds Members are There for Each Other

That night, my pawrents reflected back on the days following my initiation into Spirit Dog status. They recalled how alone they felt as they sat in their RV and cried through many dark, rainy nights in the Pacific Northwest.

And then they remembered . . . the only thing that made them feel better during that time, was meeting up in Washington with a fellow Tripawds member, Rocco.

Rocco and his pack made my Mom and Dad’s hearts sing once again! He was such a beautiful dog, and his people were so gracious to my grieving pawrents. The meet-up gave them the strength to smile and see that life does get better after the heart wrenching loss of a best friend. They hoped that Jackie felt the same way after their Tribute to Abby Day.

How to Help a Grieving Tripawd Pawrent

We lose far too many Tripawds to cancer, and each time, a human’s heart shatters into millions of pieces. As a bystander, it’s natural to feel like there’s nothing you can do to ease their pain, but you know what? There IS one way you might be able to help:

Reach out and ask a grieving Tripawds member if they would like some company, either on the phone or in person.

While everyone grieves differently, some folks would love to have an empathetic person to lean on, to listen and share the memories of their very special family member.

We will miss Angel Abby so much, but it’s great to know that her dazzling spirit will live on in so many ways, like how Tripawds members so often reach out and help one another.

Jackie, we know your heart still hurts, but we hope this day helped ease your grief a little. Thank you for  your kindness and meeting us on the beach, we’ll never forget it.

To every Tripawds member who has
loaned a shoulder to lean on
helped a Tripawd find a home
represented Tripawds at an event
shared their Tripawd warrior’s story
been here through good times and sad
shown Barney a good time (and let him live!)
written a helpful guest blog post for the community
sent a gift of direct support or requested a Tripawds bandanna
shopped in our Gifts, Gear, Nutrition, Amazon or Downloads blogs
shared ideas for new content or given feedback about the website
made us laugh and smile with crazy videos, photos and poems
hung out in the Chat Room to help a pawrent in need
purchased anything through a Tripawds affiliate link
used their talents to help support the community
answered a survey or entered a contest
sent photos to celebrate a Tripawd’s life
coordinated a Tripawds pawty

Thank you! Gracias! Merci! Mahalo! Danke!
Grazie! Arigato! kawp-kun krap/ka’! Obrigado! Toda!

We are beyond grateful for everything that each and every one of you does to make this a supportive, educational and fun place to be. Tripawds couldn’t exist without you.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

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Calpurnia. Tripawd Queen of the Sled Dogs. Wise pack leader. Gentle old soul. The love of my life.

You came into my world back in the day, when I was still running and playing and loving life on the road. The stars aligned to bring us together.

The day we met on the Colorado Trail (three years ago this month!), it was heaven on earth.

Ever since that day, I was in love.

You never let life on three legs keep you from doing what you wanted to, from showing your pack who was really in charge!

My pawrents, and all the other peeps at Tripawds, are so sad, knowing that got your wings yesterday.

These silly humans of ours wish we could live forever!

But you and I know that we have more impawtant work to do, more people to help, more places to make better.

We can’t stick around as long as they want us to, but we always leave a part of us with them, in that mysterious place they call their soul. Why don’t you drop everyone a hint to let them know you’ll always be around?

Now that you’re a Spirit Tripawd, you can come join me in this beautiful place, where you can run the trails like you used to as a kid, leading the pack with all four legs.

Maybe you can show me n’ Moose and all of the other old school Tripawds from back in the day how to pull a sled!

Hurry Cali, we’re waiting!

Run Free Forever, Calpurnia! Tripawd Queen of the Sled Dogs!

View this playlist of five favorite videos featuring Calpurnia, Tripawds founder Jerry and spokespup Wyatt:

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All year long, we welcome new parents and Tripawds in a bittersweet embrace. We’re always so happy to have new members, but the reason why they join us is devastating. This is the club nopawdy wants to join.

Most have cancer, some chased one too many cars, a few suffered at the hands of horrible humans, and others came into the world as Tripawds. Despite the tragedy that has befallen them, our Tripawd warriors fight on, and live life to the fullest despite adversity and illness.

Every new member who arrives here serves to remind us about what’s really important in life: loving the people around you, and having a good time even when life feels like the pits.

Many of our friends earn their wings far too soon. Their losses reverberate throughout this community, but in the spirit of our Tripawd Warriors, we fight on. With their lessons staying strong in our hearts, we are here to help newcomers, share information, find Tripawds homes, and kick butt to put an end to canine bone cancer.

We salute everyone who has ever shared a story about their Tripawd, joined us in the Forums or in the Chat, and blogged about their beloved Tripawd. Thank you for making Tripawds such a helpful and supportive environment for so many. This community would be nothing without you.

Let us take a moment to honor our heroic Tripawds, their siblings and close friends, who earned their wings this year:

• Gambit
• Maximutt
• Raven
• Paris
• Caira Sue
• Supai
• Killer
• Eva
• Zoe
• Tehya
• Jif
• McGwire
• Don
• Havannah Jack
• OJ
• Dunc
• Henri
• Maggie
• Oscar
• Ruthie
• Magic
• Etta
• Buddy
• Harley
• Chaser
• Toto
• Oslo
• Beaner
• Skyler
• Daisy
• Ronnie
• Polo
• Noah
• Sophie
• Gus
• Shadow
• Titus
• Max
• Girl Noel
• Zeke
• Jersey May
• Sampson
• Captain Jack
• Debo
• Molly
• Riley
• JD
• Tshuvah
• Ginger
• Honey
• Shelli Belle
• Rosie
• Chance
• Sadie Bear
• Kobe
• Achilles
• Charlie
• Tai
• Ragley
• Smokey
• Myla
• Harley
• Kona Kai
• Zack
• Denali
• Pez
• Indi
• Ruby
• Mackenzie
• Xena

Pawrents, please accept our deepest condolences for your tremendous loss. We are so very sorry.

If your beloved pup’s name isn’t on here, we sincerely apologize, it was a mistake. All of these heroes were recognized in our Coping with Loss Discussion Forum. We may have accidentally missed the names of beloved pups whose parents only write in their Blog, not in the Forums. Please share their names with us in the comments section below.

Thank you for being here everyone, we look forward to another great year ahead with our Tripawds family.

Fight on, Tripawds, fight on!

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If it weren’t for our Chief Fun Officer – and his bittersweet misfortune – the Tripawds community would never have grown to be the supportive resource it is for so many pawrents facing amputation for their best friend.

For this, we salute you, Jerry G. Dawg.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jerry G. Dawg
Tripawds Founder and CFO
10/01/1998 – 10/03/2008
2-Year Osteosarcoma Survivor

Two years ago today, our hearts were shattered as we held our hero for the last time.

But today we celebrate, because in the midst of our terrible heartbreak, a new chapter unfolded for three legged dogs everywhere: Tripawd Power!

Thank you Jerry, for teaching us

. . . How to make the best of whatever situation we are faced with.

. . . For showing us what really matters in life.

. . . And for showing us how to love, forgive and be joyful, under any circumstances.

Thank you for helping us to be better humans.

We will love you forever, dawg.

• John Hollenbeck – maxidad
• Charon Coonfield – etgayle
• Susan Emery – anyemery
• Ge’Lena Vavra – cometdog
• Diane O’Neal – krispikritter
• Gwen Herrboldt – hopalong harley
• Carmen McConnell – carmenmcconnell
• Lauren Rockwell Flick – scout the wonder dog
• Tracy Snow-Cormier – maggie
• Nancy Sisinyak – opie
• Claudia McGuire – In recognition of “Maggie” owned & loved by Tracy Snow Cormier
• Jo Ann Daniel – See Tasha’s Tripawds Support Challenge!
• Kami Bryant – Mackenzie’s Mom
• Beth Fishman – Tshuva
• Kathi Wilson* – In fond memory of tripawd Jake
  
• Thomas O’Connell*
• Anthony Conforti*
• TC Wait – Calpurnia
• Leslie Deering – A friend from Bone Cancer Dogs
• Debra Aldridge – In memory of Emily
• Eleanor Burns – Thanks for everything! Love, Cotton
• Tana Farrell (sophie)
• Karen Weiland (maruk)
• Beth Britton (Guiness – A friend of 2 Dogs 2000 Miles)
• Jane and Cathy – In Memory of Skyler Murray-Molen

*Fans of Jerry’s Tripawds Facebook Group

Spread the Word on Facebook

Speaking of Facebook, Tripawds now has a Tripawds Facebook Cause Page, in addition to our Tripawds Fan Page. Take a look, and then urge your friends and family to join! It costs nothing but it can help the campaign by building awareness of this community and our mission.

This Week’s Campaign Challenges

There’s been some generous campaign ideas and challenges coming in, such as

• VavraItaly.com gift certificates for Tripawds supporters
• The Tasha Challenge, a creative way to incrementally send smaller gifts
• Premium handwoven wool mittens to contributors of $100 or more (all taken as of today, thank you!)
• Handmade mittens for $100 contributors (all taken as of today!)

Can you think of any more? If so, start a Discussion in Shout Outs today!

We’re Getting There

We are now at 15 percent of our goal. At this rate, we’ll be able to end the campaign a lot sooner than we ever imagined. The generosity of this community is incredible, thank you for all of your kind words, support and participation in the campaign and in the Tripawds community.

Everyone, you make Tripawds such a special place to be, thank you so much.

There aren’t too many places in this world that have a three legged mascot, but one small town in Alaska does.

In a kooky little town called Chicken, a Tripawd dog named Tucker is so admired, they printed up postcards about him that say:

“Our three-legged dog is named Tucker.  He lost a fight with a GMC truck.  He is about 10 years old and is originally from Edmonton, Alberta, where he was found dodging props at the local airport.  He has always liked living dangerously.  He is a mix of collie and husky, but his mind is all collie!”

We’re not sure if Tucker is a Spirit Dog or a living legend, but we found this photo of a Tripawd who claims to be the famous Tucker.

If you know of another three legged town mascot, let us know! We always like hearing about famous tripawds in the world.

Living in the moment is hard when there are so many opportunities to allow blame and guilt into our lives. So how do you keep cancer’s evil twins out?

Read “The Legacy of Beezer and Boomer: Lessons on Living and Dying from My Canine Brothers.” When I got sick, it was the most powerful tool my pawrents found to help them cope with the emotional toll that cancer took on our pack.

Others agree that is an awesome book. Doug Koktavy, the book’s author, was just honored with three different awards by Colorado Independent Publisher’s Association.

In March, The Legacy of Beezer and Boomer received the honor of first place in the “Self Help” category, as well as Merit awards in Spirituality and Memoirs.

This is the kind of book that will calm the fears you have about the decisions you are facing and teach you how to make the most of every day without letting regret and remorse get the best of you and your canine kid.

Whether you are in the midst of coping with the shock of diagnosis or mourning the loss of your beloved friend, this book will help with your emotional healing.

And, remember: For every copy of “The Legacy of Beezer and Boomer,”  purchased here, Doug will donate $10 to the Tripawds community.

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When I was being filmed for the PBS Nature show “Why We Love Cats and Dogs” the show’s producer told us about another documentary she was working on.

It was a story about desert dogs that U.S. soldiers had bonded with while on duty in Iraq, even though the military has a “no pets” rule for deployed soldiers. Her movie is called “No Dog Left Behind,” and it shows on the Military Channel network (scroll down for a preview).

One of the Iraq war dogs featured in this documentary was Nubs. He isn’t a Tripawd, but Nubs is a real hero to us, and we love his adorable book!

The Story of Nubs

Wild packs of dogs roam everywhere in the dangerous deserts of Iraq, living short, brutal lives. But one special dog found refuge with a lonely soldier named Major Brian Dennis.

Nubs didn’t care about the military’s “no pets” rule. He stuck around, and showed this soldier and all who encountered him that love, faithfulness and companionship will always prevail, even during wartime.

When Major Dennis’ troops had to move over 70 miles away and the military gave strict orders to get rid of Nubs, our four legged hero ignored that command. This brave, formerly abused wild dog set out in freezing weather and dangerous wartime conditions to find his brokenhearted best friend.

Nubs’ book, “Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle” is now in print. We received a review copy, and loved this book from cover to cover. Although it’s written for kids, the colorful photos and graphics make the story an entertaining read for adults too.

Nubs book can be purchased here. Remember, every purchase made through this link helps support Tripawds’ efforts to keep our community online!

This dynamic duo are world famous celebrities now, making public appearances everywhere, like on the Today Show:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Meanwhile, if you have cable or satellite television, you can see an in depth version of Nubs’ story, in “No Dog Left Behind.”

Click here to view the embedded video.