Happy Labor Day Weekend!

The boys and I spent Wednesday through Friday on the road (our first nights in a tent together as a pack since Mother's day!!!) and we stopped just west of Whitesville, TN for the weekend. It's a working holiday though for me - I have over a dozen blogs to post and hope to get them all up tomorrow. To avoid confusion, I'll start sequentially with our travels through southern Arkansas, down in the delta, and then to Memphis.

Also, the website's being revamped and we have lots of exciting news to announce. Have a hoot and some hollers this weekend.

Safe travels, friends and family...

Hudson, Murphy, and Yer Big Dog

Actually Erich, my exact words were...

"H*** S*** ..... What a rush!"

But thanks for keeping things PG-13 around here!

Crossing the Mississippi River was an experience like none other. More on that later... We're walking on Highway 64/15 towards Somerville, TN. It's the first time in months that Murphy has been on the road with us and I couldn't be happier!

YBD

"What a Rush!"

“What a rush!” Those were Luke’s first words as he, Hudson, and Murphy reached the end of their long journey across the Memphis-Arkansas Memorial Bridge Tuesday afternoon. According to Kenna Tate, who was on the scene and sent us the photos of Luke and the Boys, the humidity was higher than the temperature, but despite the heat, all three made the long walk without incident and emerged on the other side, happy to see the people who had gathered to meet them.

“Today was not a bad day to cross a bridge over a mighty river” wrote Kenna, who was on hand with two of her dogs, Brock and Stella. “Before his arrival, I tentatively walked down the walkway and got as far as the banks of the river before I had to turn around. The bouncing and vibrations were just too much … traffic is no more than 3 feet from you. … [but] Hudson and Murphy were nonplussed and didn't seem to understand what the fuss was all about! This was definitely worth seeing.”

This part of the walk alone has been quite a journey. Despite opposition, Luke was determined to cross the Mississippi on foot, and he doggedly refused to take no for an answer. He and others (including Ginger Morgan with the Memphis Humane Society) have been working long and hard to make this historic crossing come to pass. Thanks also to Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee and his office for their help in making it a reality. As you can see from Kenna’s pictures, WREG, News Channel 3 was also on the scene to report the event.

The bridge, commissioned in 1939 and opened in December of 1949, is the third of three bridges spanning the Mississippi in West Memphis Tennessee/West Memphis, Arkansas. Approximately 150 feet separate the three bridges. The overall length of the bridge is 5,222 feet, making it just under a one mile hike for Luke and the Boys. The bridge has 4 lanes of traffic and 2 sidewalks. But as you can see from the pictures, these sidewalks are seldom if ever used anymore. Additionally, Luke and the Boys were walking 112 feet above water -- notice the tight grip Luke has on both Boys as they cross! Luke admitted to being a bit acrophobic, so the crossing was significant on a very personal level as well.

Pictured are: (1) The Memphis-Arkansas Memorial Bridge as seen from the banks of the Mississippi (2) Luke and The Boys just emerging in the distance; (3) Big Grins as the three see friends waiting on the other side; (4) a shot looking down one of the walkways on the bridge; (5) a closer look at the walkway and traffic passing by; (6) the interview with WREG Channel 3 -- looking on with a big smile is Ginger Morgan; (7) The Boys getting ready for their close-up; (8) Luke, Hudson, and Murphy descending the stairs from the bridge.

Well done, Luke! Well done Hudson and Murphy! Well done all! Puppy Up!

Many thanks to Kenna Tate who provided location photos and commentary. Special thanks to Ginger Morgan who kept Luke full of peanut butter and banana sandwiches until they could make the crossing happen. Additional thanks to Congressman Cohen and his office; participating local police departments, and all those who made this part of the journey a reality.

Location photos courtesy of: Kenna Tate. Bridge photo courtesy John Weeks III (used with permission). Sources include: The Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Wikipedia and John Weeks III.

The Mighty Mississippi

Today around 2:30 pm Hudson, Murphy, and I are crossing the Mississippi River. It perfectly punctuates the 600 plus miles we've traveled over 5 months. The river ranks as the tenth largest in the world and the fourth longest, spanning from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Roughly half of all water in the U.S. drains into the Mississippi. Nothing short of awesome!

ABC News plans on being there to cover the historic occasion and I've been invited to come and talk about the experience and the walk on Channel 3 Live at 9 Wednesday morning.

If you'd like to join the greeting party on the Memphis side of the bridge, here are directions:

"Take the “Ornamental Metal Museum” exit 12C off of I-55 just before you cross over the Bridge headed into Arkansas. There is a dirt Road just North of the Bridge park there where you can park and walk up the steps to the base of the Bridge. Watch for the No Trespassing sign on the dirt road and avoid parking past the sign. "

Wish us luck!

YBD

Sorry for the Radio Silence...

YBD hasn't taken the time to post in a few weeks... Bad Big Dog, Bad Bad!

But he's been very very busy!

I have lots of stories to tell but right now I'm preparing for our historic crossing of the Mississippi River this Tuesday. They said it couldn't be done but we finally found a way. We didn't come this far to be discouraged or deterred.

We'll send out specifics very soon but I'd like to thank Congressman Cohen and his staff, the Memphis Police Department, and Shelby County Sheriff's Department as well as everyone else who worked tirelessly to make this happen.

Quick News

"The Pack is Back!" Luke reports tonight, August 11, that Murphy's X-rays show he has healed well and will be back on the road with Luke and Hudson this week as they travel through Memphis. Many thanks to all who have expressed concern and sent good wishes to the Dynamic Trio.

More good news. Momma Pit (previous story) has found a home and is taking well to her new digs. We're still trying to find transportation for the puppies (five of them) from Arkadelphia, Arkansas to Sallisaw, Oklahoma where they will be sheltered until new homes are found for them. If you can help with transportation or know someone who can, please contact Kathy at kathy@2dogs2000miles.org.

Please Help Save a Momma and Her Babies

Hey Everyone

While walking a few weeks back YBD found a beautiful dog and her five babies in a filthy, falling down house. She appears to be a pit bull so we suspect she was abandoned because of Arkansas' medieval laws against the breed.

Now I've encountered many heartwrenching stories along our travels which regrettably I was unable to intervene. To the best of my abilities, I have to keep my focus on our mission but I rescued this momma and her babies. We found them temporary shelter at a private home but I found out yesterday that we have until Friday to move them or else they're going to the pound to be euthanized.

The momma is a beautiful brendal and very loving - she rode sitting on YBD's lap. The puppies are probably 8 weeks old. Now I know this country is replete with sad stories but they are a part of our family now (and this historic story), and I intend to do everything in my power to prevent anything happening to them.

But since I don't have a home to house them or a vehicle to transport them, Yer Big Dog is asking for your help. Please spread the word and email me at bigdog@2dogs2000miles.org if you can help. Thank you.

Lucky Dog! Hudson's Birthday Party Pictures

Happy 2nd Birthday, Hudson!

Thanks to 2Dogs Daily reader K. Tate for the pictures of Hudson's birthday party at The Majestic Grille in downtown Memphis. K. writes: Hudson's cake was definitely the hit of the party! I think I can safely say that the dogs thoroughly enjoyed it. Hudson and Murphy are such well mannered boys; they behaved very well as the guests of honor. And, as always, 3 Dog Bakery did a beautiful job with the cake.

I applaud [Luke's] efforts on his journey. He is doing what most of us wish we could do - make our voices heard, and through him, we are able to do that. He will definitely have a lot of stories to tell before he is finished.

I wish all a safe and profitable journey, and may you have many wonderful experiences, Luke, Hudson and Murphy, as you make your walk to stop a deadly enemy. I walk with you in spirit and prayer.

Brock [K's Rotti in one of the pictures] says: Puppy Up!

K., thanks for the pictures and the lowdown on the party!

Bass

When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always." -- Rudyard Kipling

Suzanne wrote: It is with sad and heavy hearts that we inform our friends and family that Bass left this earth to make his pawprints in heaven and wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge. We appreciate all of the thoughts, prayers, notes and gifts from everyone during these last few weeks of his illness. All our love, Michael, Suzanne and Olivia.