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New Tripawds members often ask, “Who’s Jerry?” Well… back in 1998, I was an abandoned six month old pound puppy, until my pawrents, Jim and René, took me home with them.

They had a  business in Eureka, California, and when I joined their pack, one thing was clear; they worked way too hard. So I nominated myself CFO (“Canine Fun Officer”) and made sure to take them hiking in the beautiful beaches and mountains where we lived, as much as pawsible.

I was an active, healthy dog who ate good foods and stayed fit. But in 2006, when I turned eight, my leg started hurting real bad after a backpacking trip.

Weeks went by while I tried to hide my pain until doctors found out why I was hurting; I had bone cancer, and my left front leg had to be amputated.

Dogs Get Cancer?

My pawrents were devastated. They didn’t know anything about amputation surgery, cancer, or tripod dogs. When doctors told Dad I was going to be a “Tripod,” he thought that was kinda mean. So Dad coined the spelling “Tripawd” because that’s what we are right? Three-pawed dogs!

Mom and Dad felt so scared and alone. They started blogging about our life and making movies of our adventures as a way to cope. That’s when Tripawds.com was born.

As for me, I just wanted to be out of pain. And on Thanksgiving Day, 2006, I got my wish. I became a Tripawd after the good docs at the University of California at Davis Vet Teaching Hospital took my leg off. That horrible pain was gone, and my lungs were free of metastasis, but doctors still only gave me about four months to live (osteosarcoma is a very fast-spreading disease).

Prognosis schmognosis, I just didn’t care about that. Remember, time means nothing to us dogs. We don’t even know how to tell time! Living for the moment is all that matters, so when I saw how upset my people were, I decided to show them how to really live!

Once I healed up, I made them take me to play on the beach and out into the world again. I didn’t have chemotherapy, so instead I went on a super healthy diet and took lots of supplements.

Every day became a reason to celebrate one more day together. My parents were great students as they learned how to quit worrying about the future and instead focused on the here and now.

Living Life on Our Terms

While nobody ever really knows how long we have on this earth, we all knew the facts: this type of nasty cancer would shorten my life. We didn’t want to waste any time, so Mom and Dad sold their business and almost everything they owned, bought a RV, and together we hit the road to see North America, together as a pack.

We started in June, 2007 and for two years we drove more than 30,000 miles around the country. We went coast to coast, and everywhere we went, I did my best to show people how awesome three legged dogs can be. I met so many other cool Tripawds and humans, and saw such neat places!

Together, we spread the word that “It’s better to hop on three legs than limp on four!” The more months that went by, the more we were amazed and grateful for how much extra time we had together. We were even featured on Public Television, in a PBS documentary called Nature: Why We Love Cats and Dogs.

While we traveled, Dad kept adding features to Tripawds, and before we knew it, we had over 1,000 members who found themselves in the same place, wondering if amputation was the right thing to do, and how they would cope. Some were facing cancer, some weren’t. But we all shared the fear of not knowing what living on three legs is really like.

Once Dad added Discussion Forums to Tripawds, our pawesome community grew larger, and that’s when we realized that this community is indeed a special place, full of love and support from pawrents who understand the depth of caring that special humans have for their animal friends.

My pawrents and I had an incredible journey together for two great years, far longer than any statistics said I would live. But on October 3, 2008, two days after my tenth birthday, I earned my angel wings under beautiful Montana skies.

Despite our broken hearts, gradually we healed, and found beauty in the truth that the timeless bond we share goes far beyond our physical selves. We will always be together in our hearts.

Tripawds: A Labor of Love

Although I no longer hop on this earth, my spirit lives on forever through this incredible community and the inspawrational tales, resources, movies and discussions of our two and three legged friends from around the globe.

The Tripawds community has since turned into a volunteer labor of love for my Mom and Dad. This accidental project they started is now their life’s calling, and they hope that here you will find the strength to overcome any obstacles you are currently facing, and learn how to live a joyous, fun-filled life as a three legged Tripawd hero.

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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.

Mom went running today, and felt my presence more than ever. On a beautiful spring morning in the Texas Hill Country, her heart was comforted as she ran toward the dawn sunrise.

The golden light lit up  shiny new green leaves on big oak trees. Then she saw the reddest “vermillion flycatcher” bird that she’d ever seen, and smiled thinking about how my spirit was there in that beautiful creature.

Six months later, it’s not that it’s easier to live life without me around to cuddle and hold. She still gets all watery-eyed, even just writing this.

It’s just that with the passage of time, she’s able to better accept that I’m not gone, I’m just everywhere now.

Or, you can watch the entire episode online at pbs.org. (See parts 2 & 5 for Jerry’s story.) Here’s a preview* …

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you’re new here and asking, “So what?” … this was a big deal for us here at tripawds.com because this episode of Nature features me and my pack on the road sharing that incredible bond which only true animal lovers can understand.

Check it out and tell a friend! There’s also only one week left to submit your pet photos for Nature’s Why I Love Cats and Dogs Photo Contest so act now.

*EDIT: We have replaced the preview clip originally posted above with the first segment from Why We Love Cats and Dogs. View the entire episode online at PBS.org for the rest of Jerry’s story.

We must give a special shout-out to producer Ellen Goosenberg Kent and her crew. Since they first followed us around Santa Fe last March, we’ve wondered what would come of the hours of footage they shot.

Well, Ellen did a simply amazing job telling Jerry’s story! We have now seen it about a dozen times and still cry every time.

And the feedback has simply been overwhelming. Just check out some of the heartfelt comments people are leaving on our posts about Jerry’s last days.

We are just astounded to think that our story has touched so many people, in such profound ways. If the response here and on the Nature website is any indication, Ellen is sure to be nominated for another Emmy!

And if traffic is any indication of our future success with this website, Jerry’s legacy is bound to live on here forever.

We typically averaged about 900 unique visits a day. Yesterday alone we had more than 6,000 visitors!

Thank you Ellen. Thank you Nature. Thank you PBS.

And special thanks to all the viewers out there who dropped by to discover Jerry’s full story and share their own puppy-love stories with us. Thanks to all of you, we continue to spread the word that it’s better to hop on three legs than to limp on four.

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.

Please mark your calendars, and tell your friends! You can comment on the video at YouTube or below. Read more about Jerry’s stardom here, and don’t forget to submit your favorite pet photo for the PBS Why I Love Cats and Dog photo contest!

UPDATE: Watch the full episode of Nature, Why We Love Cats and Dogs online or search local listings for future air dates!

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.

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Update: The NATURE episode of “Why We Love Cats and Dogs” can now be viewed online. You can watch the entire episode, or jump to Parts 2 and 5 for Jerry’s story.

Finally!!! We’ve been keeping this secret ever since last March, when I had my first Santa Fe veterinary oncology appointment …

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!