jerry – Way To Go Wyatt

Thanks for Looking Out for Us, Wild Angel Dog

Remembering Tripawds spokepup and wild angel dog, Wyatt Ray, on his two year angelversary at the Rainbow Bridge.

Hey Wyatt, how’s the Rainbow Bridge holding up with you running the show? We can just imagine you’re running things like a well-oiled machine, everything orderly and nothing out of place.

three legged german shepherd wyatt — Wyatt Ray, May 2017

Two years ago today, you sprouted wings and ditched those old earth clothes. Twelve years was a good long life for a three-legged German Shepherd, but being human, we still wanted more. You, however, had other plans, and made sure you let us know that it was time for you go. We respected that, broken hearts and all.

After you left, our life was pretty tame. No more eating inappropriate objects, or rowdy riots with the Oaktown Pack. Can’t say we missed any of that chaos, but we sure missed you, Mr. Handsome. In fact we missed you so much that we couldn’t bring ourselves to bring another dog into the pack. We came close, but again, you had other plans for us.

From far away, you orchestrated the most beautiful thing you ever did for anyone. Thank you for making sure that Nellie B. Dawg was picked up the mean streets of San Jose. By some miracle, you got her off death row, and sent her to the two people she was meant to be with forever.

You just knew Nellie is a little like you, and a little like Jerry (yes, I know, “Jerry this and Jerry that, Jerry Jerry Jerry.“). She’s the perfect blend of a German Shepherd who knows how to love her people with all her heart, and keep them on their toes in the big bad world to make sure everyone knows who’s in charge.

Thank you for bringing her to us, wild angel dog, and for all the years you taught us how to be patient, wiser dog parents. Because of you, Nellie is finally getting the home she deserves. We are furever grateful for your handiwork from afar, and thank the universe every day that somewhere, you are still looking out for all of us.

Our Tripawd is One Year Gone And Impossible to Forget

Our Tripawd Wyatt Ray is one year gone, and impossible to forget all of his wild antics, loud bark, and good times we shared in twelve years.

There’s a lot that can happen in a year. 2020 got off to a ruff start for everyone. We had no idea about the heartache it had in store for us. And now, our Tripawd is one year gone and impossible to forget.

Wyatt Ray Had a Lot to Say, and Always Will

Twelve years went by in a flash. We traveled a long way together.

We still find it hard to believe that this dog who tested our patience but never our love, is no longer laying next us while we work.

Or riding in the back of the truck while we roam.

He was always ready to work.

Or make us laugh like the big goofball that he was.

He only had three, but Wyatt always wanted to lend a paw. Like last August, he seemed to know that his granddad was getting ready to move on, and spent a lot of time by his side.

Maybe Wyatt sensed that by the end of the year, those two snarky old dudes would be together forever.

Some people worry they will forget how their Tripawd sounds, or felt. I’m pretty sure we won’t ever. Nor will the neighborhood dogs he visited last year while we stayed with his grandpawrents.

Long live Wyatt Ray Dawg. There will never be another one like him.

Wild Wyatt Whispers in the Wind

Tour the wild stretch of desert where we installed Wyatt Ray Dawg’s memorial sign, dedicated to his incredible life on the road.

Wyatt spent almost all of his life on the road. He traveled coast-to-coast several times, and all the way to Alaska. That boy saw more places than most people get to enjoy during their lives.

Wild Wyatt on the Road — Wyatt was a road dawg for 12 years.

Wild Wyatt Whispers in the Wind

When it came time to create a memorial marker, it was only fitting that Admin created a design that reflects his wandering spirit. Take a look.

Since we are perpetual nomads, we don’t have a backyard where we can place a memorial marker. So we installed the sign in the wild stretch of desert where we have spent winter for the last few years. It’s across from our favorite RV park, in a very sweet pet memorial area where Wyatt took his last stroller ride. This is a place where the coyotes yip and yowl every night of the week, where we lay in bed under the stars and listen to echoes of Wyatt’s spirit dancing in the wind.

three legged German Shepherd — Wyatt was always at home wherever we roamed.

The sign was made possible by our very generous Tripawds family members who chipped in for a group gift. Thank you so much, you know who you are! And the chimes in the soundtrack are a beautiful tribute gift from longtime Tripawds friend Heather. Wyatt’s marker was designed by Admin but made by Hicks Graphics.

Wishing on Wyatt’s Christmas Star

Hoppy Pawlidays from Wyatt’s Christmas Star as it lights up the pawlidays for all our Tripawd heroes and angels.

Was the Christmas Star sending a Hoppy Pawlidays message from Wyatt Ray? We’d sure like to think so!

Wishing on Wyatt's Christmas Star — Did you hear Wyatt calling from the stars?

Wishing Tripawd A Hoppy Pawliday, from Angel Wyatt Ray

It would be just like Wyatt to instigate a ruckus in the heavens. This week’s Christmas Star convergence of Jupiter and Saturn was almost certainly caused by Wyatt stirring up trouble at the Rainbow Bridge.

Wyatt's Christmas Star — Did you see Wyatt’s Christmas Star rumble at the Bridge?

After all, Wyatt loved Christmas celebrations! And why shouldn’t he? That dawg got spoiled rotten every year.

Santa Paws was always good to him, no matter how many shirts he ate, or Thanksgiving pies he stole before we got the chance to eat ’em. That boy always knew how to win everyone over, eventually!

Wyatt Ray, thank you for so many years lighting up our pawlidays. Even though your Christmas star was quite spectacular this week (thank you!), the holiday is mighty quiet down here.

Love you furever,

Maw & Paw

The Sundog of Our Soul

Remembering the sundog of our soul, one month after we parted ways on the trail with Wyatt Ray Dawg, Tripawd hero.

One month ago today we parted ways temporarily and our hearts broke into pieces. But Wyatt Ray was clearly ready for bigger things. He didn’t waste any time going to the one place where he always wanted to be, in Alaska during winter, racing with his buddies, the Odaroloc Sled Dogs.

A few days after Wyatt transitioned, our friend TC, aka Calpurnia’s mom, sent us this photo of a genuine Alaska sundog. We had never heard of this atmospheric phenomena but now we will never forget it.

Sundog Sled Dog — Wyatt Ray, our forever Sundog in the sky. Photo by TC Wait.

The Sundogs of Alaska

TC explained how she saw Wyatt on the trail.

So, I was out on my first Official sled run of the season now that the swamps have frozen over and we have snow (whole long story there, but for another time, with a bottle of wine). I came around this stand of trees and saw this scene and had to stop and take a photo. It doesn’t show the amazing ice fog that is rising off the swamp in the distance, but do you see it…. the bright sundog right over the team?? Sort of a shimmery rainbow out there saying “HEY GUYS!! COME CHASE ME AND SEE WHERE WE GO!!!” Do you see it?????

Many of the Native cultures here believe that sundogs are friendly spirits. One of our Inupiat musher friends once told me he believed sundogs to be spirits of the dogs from past teams. I gotta think that maybe Wyatt Ray, in all his bright, shimmery glory, did come to play with us after all!

Thinking of you, and remembering a great big goofy dork dog who challenged you and taught you what unconditional love truly is.

Through our many tears of grief, it makes us happy knowing that Wyatt can mush to his hearts content in the wintery days he loved most. Mush on sweet boy.