Happy Birthday, Murphy!

Murphy, AKA "Poops on Trees" turned nine on May 31, 2010 and celebrated his 3rd birthday on the walk. Brother to Malcolm, stomach on 4 legs, road warrior, righteous puppy, el perro viejo.... happy birthday!

Final Mile T-Shirts and Fans

By now you know all about the Memorial Service and Final Mile with Luke, Hudson, and Murphy, June 19 at 9:30 AM EDT in Boston. Whether you’ll be one of the hundreds of people from over 18 states who will be in Boston walking the Final Mile alongside The Boys, or organizing your own local Final Mile Walk with a group of friends (take pictures and we’ll post them to the blog here), or just walking your own pups down the neighborhood street (yes, we want those pictures too!), you’ll want to show your support and your 2 Dogs colors. We now have available both T-Shirts and fans (posters) for the occasion!

The “I walked the final mile with the Fuzzybutts” T-Shirt is a white T with the 2 Million Dogs “Cancer. Touches. Everyone.” motto on the front and “I Walked the Final Mile with the Fuzzybutts” on the back. Examples of the artwork are pictured below. You can order your T-Shirts at our puppy up! store here but hurry. The deadline for ordering Fuzzybutts T-shirts is June 1 and once they’re gone, they’re gone!

The fan, held by our friend Hope Lisle, is pictured here – only instead of Daisy’s name and photo, your dog’s name and photo would appear. Fans measure 8½”x11” and are made of card stock and laminated so they’re water resistant, and come with a wooden handle as well. They cost only $10.00 each, which includes shipping. If you would like to order a fan with your dog's name and photo on it to carry on the Final Mile, or to have as a keepsake, please fill out this form http://www.2dogs2000miles.org/uploads/order_form-25-4.doc and email it to: store2483@theupsstore.com. The fans can either be “In Memory of …” or “In Honor of …” a pet or person who has experienced cancer. Deadline for ordering fans is May 31!

For more information contact Hope Lisle at hopelisle@yahoo.com.

2 Dogs 2000 Miles 2000 DNAs

2 DOGS 2000 MILES TEAMS UP WITH CANINE HEREDITARY CANCER CONSORTIUM!

Does your dog have cancer? The DNA of a dog with cancer can help reveal molecular signatures of cancer risk. The identity of causal genes will translate into new diagnostics and medicines.

HELP US REACH THE GOAL OF 2000 DNAs BY BOSTON!

Donate a DNA sample for an historic study benefiting pets and people. Our goal is to collect 2,000 samples by Boston. Bring your dog to the puppy up! festival June 19th to the collection site.

If you can't make it to Boston you can still participate in the study. Fill out an online form and submit a sample.

From the Van Andel Institute web site:

The CHCC will take advantage of new genetic resources and technologies that have been developed at Van Andel Research Institute to develop genetic screens, diagnostic tests, and treatments for hereditary canine cancers as well as gain insight into the biology of human disease. They will analyze collected DNA and RNA samples from dogs for genetic patterns that are associated with this disease. These patterns may form the basis of genetic tests that can tell whether a particular dog is a carrier of a defective gene that will cause cancer. Also, these studies may provide important clues about cancer in people.

How can you help?

The CHCC is soliciting the assistance of dog owners to help them collect blood and tumor samples for their research.

If your dog is afflicted with cancer and you would like to donate samples, please contact them at 616-234-5569 (phone) or 616-234-5795 (fax) or send them an email (CHCC@vai.org).

Please also read their Frequently Asked Questions and view a video.

Find out more and read a press release.

Be a Vendor at Boston June 19th!

2 Dogs 2000 Miles – 2 Million Dogs invites you to be a part of the Puppy Up! Festival, Saturday, June 19, 2010, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM EDT in Boston, Massachusetts.

We invite your business or group to come strut your stuff for a good cause. Showcase your business or group by participating as a vendor.

We will have Rescue Groups, Vets, Pet Supply Vendors, Human Health Booths and much more.

The day will kick-off with the Memorial Service and Final Mile Walk beginning at 9:30AM and ending just as the Puppy Up! Festival officially opens at 11:00 AM.

The Memorial Service will be at the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden at Back Bay Fens

The Puppy Up! Festival will be held at the Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Commons .

VENDOR FEE

Single Booths are available for $100.00; $25.00 for Non-Profit organizations. *

Double Booths are available for $200.00; $50.00 for Non-Profit organizations.*

Vendors are asked to supply their own equipment. Vendor tables may not exceed 8-feet each in length, and canopies may not exceed 10X10 in dimension.

*Please understand we have to charge non-profits to cover our expenses only. Payment is nonrefundable. Rain or Shine.

DEADLINE to register is has been extended to June 7, 2010! But please hurry! Spaces are limited!

2 MILLION DOGS' goal is to raise awareness about and funding for comparative oncology and canine cancer.

2 DOGS 2000 MILES/2 MILLION DOGS is a 501(c) 3 organization.

For more information and to request a vendor form, please email Sheila at sheila@2dogs2000miles.org.


Come join us and Puppy Up!

IS ERAM MEUS FILIUS

I am at war with the greatest scourge known to man. Cancer doesn't compromise it doesn't bargain.Every day I witness its wake. What started as a walk has become a war. Make no mistake about me I will not stop I will not rest. I accept nothing less in myself & others. I pray to god daily I have the strength for the mission he has blessed me with. I thank him for my savage ravaged heart and I pray he makes me a worthy enemy.

Dear Malcolm

The second of three promises I made to you the day you were given rest is almost fulfilled. Five weeks and 70 miles from Boston. So much to say to you in the days til then...

You'd be proud of your brother Murphy. As you know, he was a real Whackadoodle when he came into our lives. Remember when he was rescued & first brought home, he'd run round the living room peeing cursive in the carpet... still don't know whether it was my name or yours he was trying to spell out.

Remember when I'd take the two of you shopping for new toys - one for each of you - and when we got home you'd steal his away just to let him know what's up. It drove him absolutely bonkers...

Remember your last day with us Murphy broke down the pet door to get to you to say his goodbyes... You told him like you told me it was time for rest.

Well he's all growed up now and I see so much of you in him. Like you, Murphy just doesn't know quit... he'll be nine years old in a couple of weeks, longer than you lived but he carries on your legacy proudly.

I'll talk to you soon...

Join Us In Boston

When I began this walk in March 2008 I knew it would be an unrivaled challenge in my own life, but little did I know I'd also be staring down the greatest scourge known to man.

We have been fighting cancer since before the world's oldest documented case recorded in ancient Egypt, in 1500 b.c. Still, no one truly knows the extent of the damage cancer has wrought worldwide, yet its costs are in the trillions of dollars and it has effected billions of lives, human and animal, in just the last hundred years alone.

In the towns we've walked through, cancer has wiped out whole families and the genetic profiles of those spared have been fundamentally altered forever.

Science has shown us that no one is safe. Pets and people, both young and old, are in its wake and we stand witness to a global pandemic the likes of which we have never seen. The World Health Organization publicized a report that states that for the first time in history cancer kills more people than any other disease. Some estimates from the field of veterinary medicine suggest that greater than 50% of dogs over 10 years old will die of cancer.

What I've learned in my travels for over 2 years and 2,200 miles has both fueled the fire that's kept me going all this time but also made me question myself. "Who am I to think I can change things? I'm no scientist... I'm nothing more than an ordinary guy from a small town in Texas."

I remember reading a magnet on a fridge in Blythedale, PA. that said, "God chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things." I believe I've been given this mission for a reason and while we've come this far, it's only the beginning.

That's why I am asking you to join us in Boston. My mission -- our mission -- is only beginning.

Memorial Shirt 6 Names

Below is a list of all the names as they will appear on Memorial Shirt 6 and in Luke's book. Please have a look at the list and if there need to be corrections, or if you donated and your dog has been left out, please email me ASAP! Email: sturmie1@gmail.com and put in the subject line "Memorial Shirt 6 Corrections."

6-Pack S
Abby
Abby G.
Abby L.
Abby S.
Abby T.
Abby W.
Abigail
Ace
Aker
Albion
All Animals
Alyce & Moose
Amanda
Amstel
Angel
Angel M.
Angus
Angus B.
Angus D.
Angus G.
Angus S.
Annie
Annie G.
Annie S.
Armstrong
Arnold
Asha
Aspen
Augie
Augie B.
AYLA
Bacopa Sammy
Bailey
Bailey F.
Bailey R.
Bailey Tyler
Ballou
Bandit
Baren
Barkley B.
Barkley V.
Barney
Barney Y.
Bartles
Bass
Baxter
Baxter L.
Bean
Beanny
Bear
Bear L.
Bear M.
Beardog
Beau & Benny
Beau H.
Beau Patrick
Beau-Beau-Link
Becca
Bella
Bella K.
Bella S.
Belle
Belle B
Belle F.
Ben Jamin Blues
Ben M.
Benjamin N.
Benjamin P.
Bentley M.
Bentley P.
Bernadette
Bernie
Big Lou
Big Tex
Billy Budd
Bingo
Binker
Biscuit
Bismarck
BJ Honey
Blackie
Blazer
Blue
Blue H.
Bo
Bo Peep
BoBear
Bonaparte
Bond
Bonnie
Bonnie B.
Bonnie O.
Boo Bear
Boodle
Boomer L.
Boomer Perrigoue
Boomer U.
Boozer
Boston
Boyfriend
Brandi
Brandy C.
Brave
Breece
Brenna
Brer H.
Brer S.
Brewster
Brio
Brittagh & Gryffin
BRO
Brock
Brody
Bromley
Brooklyn
Brother
Bruno
Brutus
BT
Bubba
Bubbie
Bucky
Bud
Buddy
Buddy B.
Buddy O.
Buddy P.
Buffy
Buglet
Bullet Girl
Buster
Buster H.
Buster L.
Buster M.
Buster W.
Butch
Butch B.
Button C.
Buttons
Cache
Cagley
Cagney
Cale S.
Calley
Captain
Carl
Carlos S.
Carrie
Carrier
Carrier W.
Casey C.
Casey H.
Casey W
Casper
Caspian
Cassie
Cassie S.
Cassie W.
Cathar
Cedric
Chance
Chance L.
Chance M.
Charlie
Charlie O’Brien
Charlotte L.
Chase M.
Chase R.
Checkers
Chelsey
Chessie
Chewie
Cheyanne
Cheyenne
Cheyenne D.
Cheyenne S.
Chico
Chili K
Chipper
Chloe
Chloe G.
Chocolate
Cinnamon
CJ M
Claus
Clondike
Clovis
Coatey L.
Coco
Codi
Cody
Codydog
Cody A.
Cody B.
Cody S.
Cody W.
Cole
Cole P.
Comet
Copper
Copper M.
Corkie
Corky
Cosmo
Cruiser
Cupcake
Curley
Cuspid
Cynnamon
Daisy
Daisy A.
Daisy K.
Daisy L.
Daisy M.
Daisy O.
DaisyMae
DaisySamantha
Dakota
Dakota A.
Dakota M.
Dakota McD.
Dakota S.
Dallas B.
Dallas M.
Dante
Darcy
Darla
Dax
Debo
Delaney
Dempsey
Deweydawg
Dewi
Dex
Dickens
Diesel
Dixie
Domi
Domino
Drago
Drake
Duchess
Duke
Duke B.
Duke H.
Dusty
Dusty Topper
Dylan I.
Dylan L.
Earl
Ebony Knight
Echo
Echo Dawg
Eddie
Einstein
Elair
Ellie
Ellie S.
Elsa
Elsa I.
Elwood
Emma C.
Emma T.
Emmett
Emmie
Ephram
Fancy
Fera
Finnegan
Floppy
Forest
Frankie
Freckles
Fred
Fred D.
Fridge Kitty
Friskie
Fuji BE
Gabby
Gambit
Gerik
Garrett T.
Gem
Genie
Georgia
Georgie
Gertrude
Ghillie
Gibson
Gin ‘N Tonic
Gine
Ginger
Gizmo
Glacier
Glida
Glory
Gobelin
Gracie
Gracie L.
Gracie O.
Griffin
Griffin K.
Grimace
Grusa
Gryphon
Guardian
Guardian B.
Guinness
Gunner
Gus
Gusseroo
Gymmie
Gypsy C.
Hacker
Handsome Hank
Hank
Hankster
Hannah
Hannibal
Happy
Harley B.
Harley W.
Harlow
Harriet
Harry
Harvey B.
Heather Nicole
Heidi C.
Hercules
Hercules C.
Hero Hobbs
Hershey
Hershey S.
Hogan
Holly
Honey
Honeybear
Hopbrook Labrador Retrievers
Hope
Huck
Huckleberry
Humphrey M Kitty
Humphrey
Indiana
Indy
Irie
Isaac
Island Boy
Jack K.
Jack S.
Jackie B.
Jackie O.
Jack-Pot
Jake
Jake C.
Jake L.
Jake N.
JakieDog
Januz
Jayce
Jayla
Jazmyn
Jenny
Jerry
Jessica
Jiggs
Jigsaw
Jillianne
Jixxer
Jolie
Jonah Bear
Jordan
Josh
Julianna
Kai
Kailey
Kaizen
Kaj
Kala
Katie
Katie H
Katie L.
Katie M.
Katie T.
Kava
Kayla
Kayla C.
Kaylib
KC S.
Keelin
Kelly Lyn
Kelp
Kelsey
Keno
Kenyon
Keyeagan
Kiah
Kibo
Kipper
Kirby Louis
Kiwi
Kobe H.
Kobey-Rose
Kobie
Kobuck
Koda
Kodiak
Kosmo
Koukla
Kraemer
Kramer S.
Kringle
Kubie K
Kuri
Laddie
Laddie B.
Lady A.
Lady Blake
Lady Boykin
Lady R.
Lady Wendy
Lexie
Lily
Lily Bear
Lily F.
Lily L.
Lily M.
Lily Pacific
Lily R.
Linga
Little Bear
Little Boy
Liz
Logan
Loppan
Louis
Lucas
Lucie G.
Lucille
Lucky Dawg
Lucy Ann E
Lucy M.
Lucy R.
Luke
Luna
Lyova
Mack
MacKenzie
Macy
Maddie B.
Maddie M.
Madeline
Madison
Madison D.
Maggie
Maggie E.
Maggie G.
Maggie H.
Maggie L.
Maggie S.
Maggy
Maizey Blue
Malcolm
Malcolm R.
Mali
Mandy P.
Mandy T.
Mariah
MariBeth
Marley
Marley W.
Marm "The Duke"
Marnie
Marshmellow
Marvin
Mary Kate
Mast
Max
Max B.
Max M.
Max R.
Max S.
Maximillion
Maxine
Maxx C.
Maxx S.
Mayor Junior
McCoy
Meatball Lou
Meggie
Mel
Mick
Midnight
Midnight H.
Midnight M.
Millie H.
Mimi
Mini A.
Mini Girl
Minnie
Minnie S.
Miss Abigail
Miss Maggie
Missy
Missy D.
Missy L.
Mister
Mistie
Misty F.
Mocha
Mo-Dog Dowdy
Moe
Mojave
Molly
Molly J.
MolyBrown
Momma Dog
Monarch
Monet Larue
Montana
Monty
Moose
Moses
Moth-QCGA
Mr. Maxx
Mr. McDougall
Mukashi
Murphy
Murphy B.M.D.
Murphy Man
Murphy S.
Murray
Nate
Nero
Nessa
Nestle
Nick D.
Nika
Nikita
Nikko
Nimbo
Niner
Nipper
Northwoods Gentry
Nosey
Nova
Nutmeg
Odessa
Ollie
Oona
Ophelia
Oscar
Oscar P.
Oscar Baby
Otis
Pamina
Panda Bear
Parker
Parker M.
Paxton
Paxton B.
Peaches
Pele
Pennbo
Penny
Pepper
Pepper B.
Pepper P.
Peppy
Peverett
Phantom
Phantom K.
Phoebe Snow
Pinky
Po G.
Pookie
Powder
Princess B.
Princess Daisy
Princess Hanna Belle
Prudence
Puffin
Puma
Pup Pup
Pups
Pyke
Quinn
R.J. Provost
Rascal
Raven
Reilly Pirri
Remy
Remy V.
Ricky
Riley
Riley B.
Riley H.
Riley Rye
Riley S.
Rita C.
Roc
Rocco
Rocky S.
Rocky T.
Rondo
Rondo F.
Roo
Rosa
Rosco
Rosco L.
Roscoe
Roscoe D.
Rose
Rosie
Rosie H.
Rosie P.
Rox
Roxi
Roxy
Roxy W.
Ruby
Rudi B.
Rudi H.
Rudy Green
Rumour
Sadie
Sadie H.
Sadie R.
Saelis
Sage
Salty
Sam
Sam S.
Samantha
Samantha K.
Sammi
Sammy
Sammy H.
Sampson
Sana
Sandy
Sasha
Sasha Girl
Sassy
Sassy D.
Sassy E.
Sauge
Savannah
Scena
Schatzi
Schultize
Schultz
Scooner
Scout R.
Seamus
Seamus W.
Sebastian
Sena
Shada
Shadow
Shadow C.
Shadow L.
Shakers
Shea
Sheba
Shebe
Sheenah
Sheenah I.
Shelby R.
Shelby T.
Sheltie Mack Hughes
Shiloh Diamond
Sidewinder
Sidney
Sierra
Simba
Simone
Sir Galahad
Sir Mogwai
Sissy
Skye
Sligo
Sloan
Smiley
Smokey
Snoball
Snowball
Snowbear
Solar
So-Lei Puppy Cat
Sophie A.
Sophie F.
Sophie S.
Spanky
Sparky
Speedy L.
Spencer
Spike
Spike C.
Spirit
Spirit B.
Spori
Spunky Joe
Stella
Stevie
Stoli-Jana's angel
Sturmie
Summer
Sunny
Sunny Girl
Sunshine
Sweet Pea
Sydney
Tammy
Tango
Tanner
Tapper
Taro
Tasha
Tasha S.
Taz
Taz B.
Teddy Bear
The QCGA Greyhounds lost to cancer
Thor M.
Thor T.
Thunder B.
Thunder S
Tiger
Tigger
Tigger D.
Tigger S.
Tiki
Tikki
Tilly
Timber
Tippy
Titan
Tobey
Toni
Toosox
Topi
Trance
Trapper C.
Tre
Trebelle
Treynor
Trina
Trouble A.
Trouble H.
TT
Tucker
Tucker F.
Tucker L.
Turbo
Ulrich
Ursula
Van Gogh
Vinny
Violet
Vivy
Wallaby
Watson
Weenie
Wesley
Westin
Whitney
Willem
Willie B.
Willie G.
Willobees Kai
Willow
Windsor
Winnie
Winston
Winston C.
Winston L.
Wolfie
Woof
Wooly Bear
Yeti
Yogi
Yuko
Yukon Jack
Zach
Zachary
Zachary L.
Zachary M.
Zack G.
Zack H.
Zeke
Zeus
Zoe
Zola