Guard Dog Has an Important Message for MUTTS Fans and Everyone!

Wyatt Ray, our forever Guard Dog, is spotlighted in the November 2023 MUTTS Guard Dog saga happening this month. We are honored.

The legacy of Tripawds Spokesdawg Wyatt Ray Dawg continues. This month as the world watches the heartbreaking saga of Guard Dog unfold in the panels of MUTTS Comics, we are reminded that Wyatt and Guard Dog have so much in common. This series has really hit home for us, and having the Mutts pack share Wyatt’s story today on social media is an incredible honor.

See MUTTS Spotlight Wyatt Ray on Facebook

We want to share MUTTS’ post, fan comments, and Wyatt’s story here for a furever remembrance, and posterity’s sake. Here’s what MUTTS wrote:

Guard Dog
Image © Patrick McDonnell used with permission from MUTTS.

Ode to Guard Dog Wyatt Ray from the Pack at MUTTS

Our friends Jim and Rene Nelson, founders of the nonprofit Tripawds, have dedicated their lives to providing advice and support for amputee pets and their people.

In 2009, their journey connected them with Wyatt Ray, a tripawd “guard dog” who lived the first few months of his life tethered and neglected in a backyard. Excited for attention or eager to escape, his confinement caused the chain to wrap and strangulate his right rear leg. A Tripawds member involved with a local animal rescue helped save Wyatt, who ended up abandoned at a vet clinic. At eight months old, Wyatt joined the Nelsons’ pack.

Jim writes: “Wyatt Ray indirectly showed his love for us, as best as he knew how. Our steadfast German Shepherd was not a cuddler. He didn’t care for hugs, baby talk, or deep eye contact. If he joined us at night, it wasn’t for long. Instead, he preferred to lay at the foot of the bed, always in protection mode and sleeping with one eye open.”

“Protecting the pack was his job, and by doing it well he showed his love. You can’t blame him, really. As a puppy, his first introduction to family life was to stay chained up out back, ignored and starving for attention. And from that early experience, he not only lost his leg, but a level of his trust in the humans around him.”

“It took years for him to regain what was stolen from him at a young age. We cherish memories of those rare occasions when Wyatt felt free enough to let his guard down, and be an ordinary family dog.”

Tripawds Jerry and Wyatt
Tripawds Spokesdawgs Jerry and Wyatt Ray

To read more about Wyatt Ray — and about a special “heart and soul” dog named Jerry, who inspired the Nelsons to start the Tripawds community — check out Jim’s heartfelt essay (written in 2021) on our blog:

One Heart Dog, One ‘Guard Dog’: A Tale of Two Different, Triumphant Tripawds

Comments from Team Tripawds

FROM JIM NELSON:

Thank you for sharing our story! ❤

We’ve known many Tripawds who started life as Guard Dogs. It’s sad how many dogs lose a leg, or their life, due to being tethered and neglected. So watching the Gard Dog story unfold in MUTTS really hits home. Thankfully, there are also good people people who know better.

Wyatt needed an amputation at 8 months old from being chained up as a puppy. We helped him love life on three legs for 12+ years. So there is certainly hope for Guard Dog. But only Patrick knows his fate…which is my reasoning for my quote shared here.

Wyatt Borrego Springs

Tripawds Spokesdawg II Wyatt Ray

FROM @TRIPAWDS:

❤ We can’t thank the pack at MUTTS enough for sharing Wyatt Ray’s story, and the work they’re doing to raise awareness for this important issue. Guard Dog has such a great message to share. It is both heartwrenching and heartwarming to watch his story unfold. Patrick is brilliant, and we’re certain there will be deep meaning behind whatever happens.

Having had the honor and pleasure to meet Patrick, we also know how difficult this story is for him to tell. And you can’t rush greatness. The best thing we can all do is help spread the word. Sharing now with Tripawds fans everywhere…

Patrick McDonnell & Wyatt Ray
Patrick McDonnell & Wyatt Ray

(#Tripawds Spokesdawg II Wyatt Ray meets Patrick at 2009 book signing.)

Let Go. Let Dog.

The time came for my people to Let go and Let Dog. To follow the course of nature, and help me be free of these worn out earth clothes.

I think Humans are part Retriever. They love to go out and play fetch for all kinds of things. Money. Cars. Houses. Cats. Dogs. But when they finally get those things, they sure have a hard time letting go of what they find.

Let Go. Let Dog. Tripawd Tribute to Wyatt Ray Dawg.
The Wild Boy we will always remember.

In 2009 my parents found me and didn’t let go. I was so glad. We hung on together for a wild ride criss-crossing all over the continent in our doghouse on wheels. My life has been everything a dog could want. All along we knew it couldn’t last forever, but we pressed on, ignoring the truth.

Let Go. Let Dog. Tripawd Tribute to Wyatt Ray Dawg.
What a long strange trip it was.

Earlier this year, I tried to prepare my humans that it would soon be time to let go of me. I slowed down. All those daily physical therapy exercises weren’t doing what they used to. I got weak.

Yeah, it’s hard to believe, I know. How does a loud, rowdy punk rock dog like me get old and wear out? My people tried so hard to not let it happen. We followed canine rehab therapists advice my whole life. My coaches worked me hard. I never got a pawliday from fitness!

Let Go. Let Dog. Tripawd Tribute to Wyatt Ray Dawg.
Work. Work. Work. That’s me.

But twelve years went by, and then it happened. Nature bats last as they say.

A couple of months ago I knew it was time to ditch these earth clothes of mine. They served their purpose, and I looked great wearing them didn’t I? My people felt sad there were no miracles left for this geriatric Tripawd dog.

German Shepherd Senior Tripawd
Forever a wild boy.

I held out as long as I could, until I could not. Last week I spoke to Mom, and I spoke to Dad. I showed them I needed to move on. And after lots of tears and talking, they agreed.

It was time for them to let go. It was time to let dog.

And so they did. Yesterday on November 10, they helped me hop out of my achy old bones. While stuffing my face with hot dogs and Auntie Carla’s Cosmic Cookies, I bowed out of this earthly dimension and barked my way to the Rainbow Bridge.

Let Go. Let Dog. I. Am. Free.

Please don’t be sad for me. Listen here people. I’m gone from the earth, but not from the heavens and definitely not from your hearts. Listen for my bark. I’m always by your side Tripawds friends.

Let Go. Let Dog.
Wyatt Ray Dawg. 01/03/09 – 11/10/20

Please join us for a live video tribute call to celebrate the life of Wyatt Ray Dawg and all our tripawd angels

Tripawds founders Rene & Jim invite you to a scheduled Zoom meeting:
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
12:00 Noon PST (3:00 Eastern)

Topic: Tribute to our Three Legged Angel Wyatt Ray and
All Our Tripawd Angels at the Bridge

Join Zoom Meeting Here at 12:00 Noon 11/17/20
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9164131725

Meeting ID: 916 413 1725
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This Tripawd Goes Here. There. And Everywhere.

Wyatt has been busy this winter, including a stint as movie star and director for a short film about his life in the dog house on wheels.

I’ve said it before. I’ll bark it again. I’ve been everywhere, man. But you’d never know it based on my blog. Hey, a travelin’ Tripawd Spokesdawg has lots to do.

this tripawd goes
Don’t fence me in.

I’ve got roamin’ in my DNA and lately it’s taken me to my favorite places like the desert. My people are afraid of winter. So we wait there until it’s over. Or until something important happens, like . . .

this tripawd goes
I hear stardom calling.

My big movie debut!

this tripawd goes
It is time for my close-up?

Ok well not really a movie, but a video about my people. We traveled around in the Arizona outback where a film crew followed me and my people in the dog house. It was a lot like when Jerry was on TV. But this time, I was the star!

this tripawd goes
The movie crew thought I was pawesome. Naturally.

And since the director knew what a talented dawg I am, he strapped this movie camera on my back and let ME do the film making. Just wait, you’re gonna love it.

this tripawd goes
Are we done yet?

I get tired just thinking about all that movie stuff. You won’t believe what we did! I can’t say anything more for now but I promise I will soon.

Over and out.

Hoppy Mayuary, Colorado Tripawds

Tripawd Wyatt has snowy fun in May in Northern Colorado mountains.

Calling all Colorado Tripawds . . . Just when you thought it was safe to go swimming…

Mayuary happened!

German Shepherd, snow, Colorado, Mayuary
Hellooooo Colorado! How I love thee!

No people, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. These pictures were taken yesterday. May 18, 2017.

Haw haw Mom and Dad. You took me to the hot desert all winter and thought you could run away from the cold.

But winter found me. And I am SO HOPPY!

German Shepherd, Tripawd, snow, Colorado, Mayuary
Kick the ball, people! Let’s roll!

I tell ya, I was made for snow. I love it so much. It’s way more fun than catcuses and sand. Check out my snow plow imitation.

Winter, please stay longer OK?

Get Well Wishes and News from Northern Cal

Tripawd Wyatt gives a news update about his Northern California pals, parties and beach adventures.

Hey people! It’s been a long time and I got all kinds of news for ya. Time to sit back and chill so you can catch up.

First, my best bud Tripawd Travis Ray is having a big surgery this week. So let’s all give him a big GET WELL shout out together OK?

Get well Tripawd Travis
Travis gets ready for surgery.

It’s a serious surgery but I’ll let his momma tell you more. Maybe she will even update Travis’ blog!

And now onto other news:

The Beach Boy is Back

I’m back in Jerry’s old romping grounds, NorCal. Dang what a good time so far. Me and my peeps met up with a few pals from the NorCal Tripawds crew.  You know, Shelby the Petite Princess and her bro Dusty Dude, Ellie the Tripug-Mutt my dear bride Hannah Rae and her sister and brother. They had a special play day just for ME!

Tripawds, party, Northern California
The NorCal Tripawds Crew Rides Again

Then I got to go back to the beach. Wheee! Sand is so soft and fun. But I forgot that sand isn’t like the snow I love to eat so much. When you eat sand, it gets, uh, stuck in your belleh. Not fun.

Tripawd, dog, beach, play
“Wheee! I love sand!”

Can you tell I love the beach? It’s hard work running on three legs in the sand. I ain’t afraid of hard work, but my people are paranoid so they don’t let me play in it that long. I could go all day.

Tripawd, dog, german shepherd, three-legged
“Catch me if you can!”

We walked around and I saw this sign. It’s so sad they won’t let Golden Retrievers on the beach, don’t you think? I wonder why.

Tripawd, dog, german shepherd, three-legged
“No Golden Retrievers on the beach”? What?

I love the waves. I think I want to be a life guard. Since I’m in Cali right now, why not? Stay tuned for my Baywatch Adventures.

Tripawd, dog, german shepherd, swims
‘My next job: lifeguard!”