I come to you slightly abashed to ask, but determined to do what I can to keep our dogs and family members alive a little longer. This is the third year in a row I have raised money for Puppy Up! (formerly called the “2 million dogs” campaign), which raises money targeted to cure cancers found in both people and dogs. Our group (Pet Pals) and our town (Madison) has kicked butt, I say with unabashed pride. Our local program brought in $86,000, a record-setting amount. In May, 2015, our second walk raised yet another record setting $128,000. What’s even better: We know exactly where the Puppy Up money goes. For example, the Puppy Up Foundation awarded $96,000 to the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of stereotactic radiation for dogs with bone cancer (osteosarcoma, a cancer that affects dogs and children). Over $100,000 was granted to The University of Texas & UC Davis to study immunotherapy using a dog’s own immune system to fight cancer.
Blog readers have been instrumental in helping to support this cause, and for that, I am extremely grateful. And so I come to you again, paw raised, head cocked, in hopes that you will consider joining me in this very good fight. There is so much going on in the world that we have little control over–a fact that many of us find deeply disturbing. Frankly, I find it a relief to do something that I know will make a difference. We can fight the good fight together and know that our actions really mean something. Whew.
I began writing this blog thinking I’d write a completely new post, but then decided to add on what I’d written in 2014. I hope you will pardon the repetition, but I just don’t know how to express my love for my dogs any better than I have here. Besides, I can’t resist looking at Tu Tu’s shining face again. I still miss her so much.
Here’s what I wrote in March of 2014:
For almost twelve years, my Great Pyrenees Tulip was the farm’s jokester, a shiny-eyed, smiley-faced cross between an oversized seal pup and a benevolent polar bear. For twelve years she multi-tasked as the farm’s protector and its own personal stand up comedian. She died in my arms several years ago, and is buried just a few feet from the front porch, where she used to stand and bark at the coyotes who yip-howled their way down a ravine toward my young lambs. No coyote, or canid of any kind, ever bothered our sheep when Tulip was alive, yet she loved everyone equally, dogs and people alike, unless they appeared to be a threat.
Once I was awoken at 2 AM by hushed and hurried voices coming from my front yard. Alone that night, I peered out the window to see three shadowy figures moving around behind the spruce tree that anchors the yard. One of them darted out of the gloom and began to run–and I mean run–toward me and the house. I took Tulip by the collar, all 100+ pounds of her, and walked onto the porch. Tulip was barking as only a huge dog can; deep, thundering WOOF WOOF WOOFs coursing through the air as I said “Stop right there! I’ll let the dog loose if you don’t.” Of course, I knew that Tulip was most likely to run up and lick his face if I let her go, but my “visitor” didn’t. He stopped in his tracks and said “Oh gosh, sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. But my motorcycle broke down and I wanted to know if I could leave it here until morning.” His words weren’t quite so, uh, clear, being influenced by something I’d guess was at least 40 proof. “Uh, sure, no problem,” I said. I might have mentioned that it would have been more polite to just leave it there and not wake me up in the middle of the night, but he left and I went back in the house and sat down with Tulip and took her head in my hands and thanked her for being there for me. Having her stand there beside me that night made all the difference in the world.
Here is a difference I would like to make in her name. I’ve joined the Puppy Up! campaign to help raise funds to combat cancer in dogs. It was started by Luke Robinson, who lost one of his beloved Great Pyrenees to cancer, and committed to walking his two remaining Pyrs 2,000 miles to raise money to fight cancer. (My second Great Pyrenees, Tulip, didn’t die of cancer, but my first Pyr did (Bo Peep), as did my Border Collies Misty and Lassie.) That evolved into the 2 million dogs project, which evolved into Puppy Up! The rest is history, and what an impressive one it is.
So I’m in. I’ll be walking with friends (many from the UW Vet School Pet Pals program) in Madison on May 4th. Everyone who registers commits to raising a certain amount of money. I’ve set my goal at $3,000, but would love to do better than that. If you are so inclined, you can CONTRIBUTE HERE. (Was that subtle enough?) Be sure to name someone you’d like it in memory of, if you so desire. I love reading the memorials, they make me all wooshy.
Whether you can afford to join in or not, I’ll love hearing memorials to one of your special dogs. Here is my Tulip, in a photo taken by one of our country’s best dog photographers, Amanda Jones.
Here is our last photograph of Tulip, resting in her grave, covered with the tulips that friends spontaneously brought to the celebration of her life, a few hours before we sent her over the bridge. She is resting in peace, but I’ll be joining millions of people and dogs all around the country, in an effort to keep our beloved dogs alive, just a little longer.
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Here is last Saturday’s weather report: Snow, followed by sun, followed by a blizzard (horizontal snow, 30+ mph winds), followed by sun, followed by hail, followed by sun, followed by sleet, followed by sun, followed by the exhausted sun finally disappearing beyond the horizon, no doubt disgusted by Wisconsin’s weather in early April.
It was so crazy that it was laughable. On Sunday a friend and I drove to work with Gordon Watt, a world class sheepdog handler/trainer. It was brutally cold, 35 degrees F and very windy. Later that day it was sunny and 74. As I said when I spoke at a Veterinary Conference in Madison, “Welcome to winter/spring/summer/fall”. But it was great to have another chance to work Maggie under Gordon’s wise eye. (Poor Willie is recovering from a minor injury, probably an iliopsoas strain. I think he’ll be fine soon.)
Here’s Miss Maggie Mae (her list of nicknames is growing) focusing in on the flock, about to move forward closer:
And here’s Mr. William, highlighted by the hardy crocus who have endured a ridiculous amount of bad weather in the last two days. It’s cold and cloudy today though, so I don’t have a shot of them in full bloom, but you can still see how lovely it is to add color to the ground this time of year.
HFR says
Of course, I’m in! Thank you for raising so much money for such a worth cause.
Jann Becker says
Willie looks like he’s trying to herd the crocuses! And Maggie’s one-ear-up, one-ear-down look is just plain adorable.
Kat says
Your photos and stories about Tulip always bring back fond memories for me. I grew up with Great Pyrenees. The link at the end of this comment is to a photo of my dogs, Charlie on the left and Krystal on the right. My dad fell in love with Great Pyrenees at a dog show and we bought Krystal as an 8 month old. Charlie is her pup because part of the purchase agreement was that she’d have one litter we’d get our pick and the kennel would get the rest. Krystal promptly became my dog. I still miss her almost 40 years later. Friends have remarked on how much Ranger and Krystal look alike despite the different color schemes. https://www.flickr.com/photos/33350160@N02/26146404522/in/dateposted-public/
Mary says
Glad to hear that u call Maggie, Maggie. Fond memories of that song on a beautiful fall day. I so enjoy your blog and learn so much. I have a Schnauzer, miniature called Charlie Bear. I also have a black lab mix. I refer to them as Mutt and Jeff. I will be happy to contribute as we lost our dear Link to mouth cancer.
Mary says
I meant Maggie Mae! Sorry!
SuzyMcQ says
I’m in too. I can not think of a better cause. So close to my heart.
Trisha says
Thank you all so much. I can’t tell you how reinforcing it is! And Kat, oh oh oh, your Pyr’s are so lovely. It makes me miss Bo Peep and Tulip all the more, have to admit. But I don’t think another one is in my future. When Tulip was ill and in crisis, I couldn’t carry her to the car by myself. It was awful, at one point I was dragging her outside on a blanket when she starting having a seizure. After that I decided I shouldn’t have a dog I couldn’t lift and carry anymore. But I can enjoy the breed, thanks to friends like you who share!
Andy says
I’m in! Good luck this year, hope you exceed your goal!
Cindy Bartels says
Trisha As Callie and I are currently in the battle with osteosarcoma I cannot donate but I will network and share. Callie gets up every day and continues her battle against this disease. This month it will seven months post diagnosis and post amputation. She has enjoyed another winter, rolling in the snow and doing what can only be described as body snow surfing, celebrated the third year in her forever home and her 8th birthday. As you blogged the Puppy Up Foundation awarded $96,000 to the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of stereotactic radiation for dogs with bone cancer (osteosarcoma, a cancer that affects dogs and children). Callie’s life will be shortened by this disease but we live in the moment, take each day and continue to battle it.
Cindy Bartels says
Callie enjoying winter 4 months post amputation and in the midst of chemo sessions. Access to the video is public so everyone can view 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/cinbartels/videos/vb.509234220/10153607290394221/?type=3&theater
Cindy Bartels says
Another video (not in slow motion) again 4 months post amputation and in the midst of chemo. This is what we are fighting for, answers that will allow a cure.
https://www.facebook.com/cinbartels/videos/vb.509234220/10153606676164221/?type=3&theater
Carolyn Clough says
I wish something could be done t0 make dog food safer. I just read that Milk Bone dog biscuits have BHA as a preservative and it’s carcinogenic. It is also in several other dog treats. If we could get cancer causing agents out of the dog food we may not have as many dogs with cancer. If we could prevent some cancers then our dogs wouldn’t have to suffer.
Bruce says
I never met Tulip but the picture of her lying in the grave makes me sad. Dogs are normally so brimming with life that seeing a lifeless body always seems deeply incongruous. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that one of the greatest services we can perform for our dogs, and one of the most difficult, is to protect them from unnecessary suffering. Some dogs make it easy to decide when their time has come; others take you on a roller-coaster ride to the finish line.
We have been fortunate so far with our dogs’ longevity. For medium-sized dogs I consider anything beyond 12 years as a bonus, so it would be wonderful if this “bonus time” could be extended through progress in prevention and affordable treatment of canine cancers.
It would be especially nice to extend the amount of time that our dogs are healthy and happy. I always wonder whether aging dogs miss the joyful abandon of youth, or whether they philosophically adapt to their reduced vigor. I like to think the latter is true, of course.
This weekend I will take a look at Puppy Up! Thank you for letting us know about what sounds like a worthwhile cause.
And best wishes to poor Willie.
Claire says
I’ve donated in honour of my beautiful lurcher boy Rollo, who’s currently fighting lymphoma. Things haven’t gone as well as we’d hoped but he’s still going and enjoying clicker training and of course, his treats! He is my first dog as an adult and it hasn’t been at all easy but he has taught me so much and I just hope we get another summer.
Trisha says
To Cindy: I’m sure everyone joins me in wishing the best for your lovely girl, Callie. Thank you for sending the videos, loved them.
To Bruce: I’m sorry the photo of Tulip made you sad. I did wonder if I should use that photo, but went ahead with it for reasons I can’t quite explain. I guess to me it wraps up everything about our relationship with dogs–love (god I loved her so much), grief at losing her, the love and support our friends showed when they arrived at Tulip’s “going away party” with tulips. Everyone, every single one of them, without any prompting, spontaneously decided to bring us tulips to the party. After the vet came and put Tulip down, we lay her in a bed of the tulips that our friends brought, and it felt like they were wrapping her and us in a blanket of love.
The only word I have for it is bittersweet/ but I think the best non-word, really, is “sad/sweet.”
And to Claire: Our warmest thoughts to you and Rollo. I’m so sorry things haven’t gone as well as you’d hoped. Life is just not the video we thought we had rented it seems. All paws crossed for you both.
And to all of you who have contributed: You are WONDERFUL! I can’t tell you how humbling it is to have the opportunity to play a tiny role in such a great project. I’m truly, truly grateful.
Claire says
Thank you Trisha. Yes, all of my expectations – not just of looking forward to knowing him as a middle aged or old dog, but also about having a ‘normal’ dog (he has lots of anxieties and reactivity to other dogs) – have had to be revised time and time again, but that’s been good for me and even though my boy has only been with me for two years (gotcha day tomorrow :-)), he’s laid some amazing groundwork for me to be able to welcome other dogs into my life and be a much better guardian. I actually love the picture of Tulip. She looks so peaceful and loved.
Bruce says
To Trisha: Absolutely no need to apologize, I am glad that you included the beautiful, sad/sweet picture of Tulip. If anything, the picture makes me appreciate our dogs in their galumphing, muddy, eyeglass-frame-bending vivacity all the more, and gives me additional motivation to make our time together as full and rich as possible.
Speaking of the circle of life, on yesterday’s walk we met a 15-year old dog who is 7-year old Sandy’s doppelganger. The dogs greeted each other politely and we went our separate ways. Later I saw the old dog and her owner sitting in the grass, enjoying the warm afternoon sun, the creek’s flow, and each other’s company.
In contrast to that pastoral scene, picture Red Dog this morning when she spotted five (five!) cats in a neighbor’s front yard. One cat was toying with a bird by releasing it and then catching the bird out of the air. When we walked by, the cat lost concentration and the bird was able to fly away.
Needless to say, Red Dog REALLY wanted to join the fun.
luci short says
Thank you for making my husband cry with your beautiful photographs of Tulip.
Sue says
I have my first Pyr, now 7 months old. I’ve read and followed your writing and blog, which influenced my decision to pick a Pyr for my goats and chickens. He gets along lovely with my three Border Collies, and all the friends, family and visiting dogs. It’s a delight to have a small piece of heaven outside Austin, TX with my zoo.
Kathy Griffin says
After losing so many of my dogs to cancer, I hope and pray that this small contribution can help in some way. As I looked into the dying eyes of my heart dog Max, my sweet Sweetie, my problematic Sophy, and my noble Polly I wondered if there was anything I could have done to prevent their cancer related deaths.
I see that you have exceeded your goal of $3000!
Thank you for all that you do for our families.
Trisha says
To Kathy: Thank you so much for your contribution. I will be writing a list of names to read as I walk, and will hold my hand over my heart as I read the names of Max, Sophy and Polly. I am sure that you did everything you could to keep them healthy, and that they were very, very lucky dogs to have you as an owner. I’ll keep you and all the dogs that have been mentioned in my thoughts on Sunday morning.