In Memoriam

I like this Latin phrase because it means 'Into Memory'.  Not 'for the' or 'because of'...

It presupposes motion.

This is the reason I've bound Murphy's and Malcolm's ashes together for the necklace I'll wear on Walk 2.  The Mobius Strip has been much on my mind and that's the inspiration. 

The West Coast Walk will not only commemorate but commence with and memorialize our loved ones touched by cancer. Their story is this story.  Like the Austin to Boston Walk, I will wear a Memorial shirt though unlike it there will only be two shirts not six.  

According to Red, 'When you make a $30 donation in honor of or in memory of a person or dog we will recognize your donation to them here on our Memorial Wall, add their name to the Memorial Shirt that Luke will wear on Walk 2.  We will also send you the 2 Million Dogs BLUE pack of Toki Poki Pet Trading Cards includes pets that have had or currently have cancer. The unique packaging includes a topper and heart-shaped confetti that are made of seeded paper. Use them to plant and grow wildflowers in honor or remembrance of someone touched by cancer.'

And if you make that donation by April 23rd, you'll be on my first Memorial Shirt.  

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YBD's Notes 1:  I want to thank all of those on my Memorial shirt in walk 1.  At the time of the final mile I think we had 500 or more.  We walked with angels.  

YBD's Notes 2:  I've now got a Red and an Ed in my life and am awaiting a Fred or a Jed to complete the trifecta.  

Great News About Memorial Shirt 6!

All the names on Memorial Shirt 6 will appear in Luke’s forthcoming book!

As many of you know, Luke wears a special memorial shirt that bares the names of all the dogs (and, yes, even a couple of cats) who walk with him in Spirit, having lost their lives to cancer. These are Luke’s Angels. They inspire and fuel his passion, and keep him moving down the road. What started out as a small list of names has grown into hundreds. With each new shirt, the new names have been added, the numbers have grown, and Luke’s determination and commitment have been renewed. Each name is truly a source of inspiration to him.

Dedicating a donation to appear on Memorial Shirt 6 is a wonderful way to honor a beloved animal who will keep Luke, Hudson, and Murphy company for the rest of their journey, help support and sustain the Walk, and live on in Luke's book.

If you or someone you know would like to add a dog’s name to Memorial Shirt 6, please follow this link. Make sure to tell us the name of the dog the memorial is made to.

The deadline for submissions is APRIL 18th.

Thank you and puppy up!

In Honor of Malcolm's Birthday

Today, October 31, Luke’s beloved Malcolm would have been 11 years old. As you all know, the love shared between Luke and Malcolm, Luke’s first Great Pyrenees, and his passing due to cancer was the inspiration for the beginning of 2Dogs2000Miles and the walk that has already taken Luke, Hudson, and Murphy over 1500 miles and through 11 states.

Malcolm was a beautiful boy – you merely have to look at his picture to realize that. Luke said, “He had a generous nature and always shared his happy disposition with everyone he met.”

As you may also know, we’re getting ready to print Memorial Shirt #5. This is the shirt Luke wears as he walks across the country, imprinted with the names of the dogs who have passed from cancer and who all walk with them in spirit: “Malcolm was my inspiration behind the walk but what keeps me going when the day grows long and the terrain proves tough is all of the angels walking with us.”

In honor of Malcolm’s memory we are waiving the usual minimum donation this weekend and inviting anyone who has lost a dog to cancer to write us and we’ll include their dog’s name on Memorial Shirt 5.

If you’d like us to include the name of a dog you have lost to cancer, please email me directly with the first and last name of your dog(s) and your name as well. Dogs’ names are printed with first name and last initial, e.g.: Linga T.

Send your information to: erich@2dogs2000miles.org, and put in the subject heading “Memorial Shirt 5.” I will send you a confirmation email that I have received your information. Should you NOT receive a confirmation email before midnight, November 1, please try again.

There are already over 100 dogs on Memorial Shirt 4. We hope you’ll add your dog’s name to shirt 5 so that he or she may join the walk with Luke, Hudson, and Murphy.

Deadline is November 1, at 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

By the way, ALL the dogs who were in both last year’s and this year’s calendar contests, who have already passed, will also automatically be included on the newest shirt.

Happy Birthday, Malcolm! Thank you for inspiring such greatness and generosity in so many people and their beautiful dogs.

puppy up!

Recent News October 20

Where Are They? The Boys had a stretch of bad weather for a few days and had to remain off the road. They stayed in a motel and then with friends and host family the Donelsons, who themselves have two Great Pyrenees. Andy writes: "Our youngest daughter, Tabi, loved playing with the boys. When Hudson jumped up to give his hugs, he was face to face with her. So I think both Huds and Murphy got lots of good lovin' this weekend … Our boys are two litter male Pyrs that we acquired from Paige [Segovia] when they were about 4 months old. Peyte and Corbynn will be 2 next month and really wanted to play with Hudson and Murphy … even though Hudson didn't care too much for our Pyrenees boys." Thanks to the Donelsons for seeing that The Boys were dry and well-fed while they waited out the weather!

Now the Boys are back on the road on the WB&A Trail. Last night they were camped out near a town called Bowie. It is getting rather cold – in the low 30s – but Hudson and Murphy decided the weather was still too warm to cuddle, so Papi was off by himself in the tent until early this morning when they decided it wasn't so bad to snuggle after all. Like Luke said, it's now definitely snuggle snuggle season!

If the weather stays fair they're planning on being on the road for the whole week as they want to be well on their way to Philly.

Deadline For Memorial Shirt #5 – Just a reminder that the deadline for Memorial Shirt #5 is October 21. The Memorial Shirt lists the names of all the angels who walk with Luke, Hudson, and Murphy in spirit. If you're interested in having your dog's name on Luke's next shirt, please follow the link here and contact Ginger for specific details at ginger@2dogs2000miles.org.

Memorial Shirt 4 Is Here!

OK, I'm so excited, I could (as Hudson would say) just pee. Memorial Shirt 4 has come back from the printers and is now available. Ginger says the shirts are 100% cotton but already pre-shrunk, so keep that in mind when ordering. You can order them through Click and Pledge here.

You’ll see a picture of a guy wearing just a plain blue Tee-Shirt with no lettering. That’s the COLOR of our shirt -- stonewashed blue (the shirt has white lettering), but for a look at what the layout is on the shirt, check out the picture of Luke with The Boys.

Ginger is already filling orders. If you have any questions about Memorial Shirt 4 please email her at ginger@2dogs2000miles.org.