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Be More Dog: Learning to Live in the Now
Many people dream of a magic reset button. With one touch, it would instantly change their circumstances and create a more fulfilling life. What they don't realize is that life provides plenty of opportunities to change direction, but few of us heed the signs showing us the way. For workaholic entrepreneurs Jim and Rene, their sign came as a cancer diagnosis. After growing their home-based business for ten years, their heart and soul dog, Jerry, had a front leg amputated because of bone cancer. Vets said their time together was running out. They decided to make the most of it. Acting quickly, they sold their home, their business, and nearly everything they owned. They bought a new RV and made Jerry a "Stay with us long enough, and we'll take you on the road trip of a lifetime!"
By the time they hit the road to travel the country together as a pack, Jerry had already outlived his original prognosis. Their RV travels took them from northern California through the southwest desert, to the Atlantic coast in Maine, down to Florida and back to the top of the world in the Rocky Mountains. For two years they experienced many adventures, with Jerry leading the way and showing the world that it's better to hop on three legs than to limp on four. Their nomadic lifestyle breathed new life into the happy dog, who generously shared important life lessons along the way. Once they opened their eyes to how he lived each day to the fullest, everything looked different. Their reset button was pressed.
Be More Dog is more than a memoir about a threelegged dog on an epic road trip. This book is a heartwarming tale with deep meaning. Through his actions and attitude in the face of adversity, Jerry shows Jim and Rene how important it is to live in the now - to persevere when the going gets tough, to never give up, and that every day is a great day, no matter what life throws your way.
Features Jerry's story, as seen in Why We Love Cats and Dogs which first aired on PBS in 2009. Includes Foreword and original artwork by MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell, with scenes describing his famous "NOW! NOW! NOW!" strip that played a vital role in helping Jim and Rene discover the importance of living in the Now.
By the time they hit the road to travel the country together as a pack, Jerry had already outlived his original prognosis. Their RV travels took them from northern California through the southwest desert, to the Atlantic coast in Maine, down to Florida and back to the top of the world in the Rocky Mountains. For two years they experienced many adventures, with Jerry leading the way and showing the world that it's better to hop on three legs than to limp on four. Their nomadic lifestyle breathed new life into the happy dog, who generously shared important life lessons along the way. Once they opened their eyes to how he lived each day to the fullest, everything looked different. Their reset button was pressed.
Be More Dog is more than a memoir about a threelegged dog on an epic road trip. This book is a heartwarming tale with deep meaning. Through his actions and attitude in the face of adversity, Jerry shows Jim and Rene how important it is to live in the now - to persevere when the going gets tough, to never give up, and that every day is a great day, no matter what life throws your way.
Features Jerry's story, as seen in Why We Love Cats and Dogs which first aired on PBS in 2009. Includes Foreword and original artwork by MUTTS creator Patrick McDonnell, with scenes describing his famous "NOW! NOW! NOW!" strip that played a vital role in helping Jim and Rene discover the importance of living in the Now.
- GenresDogs
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2019
14 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 17, 2019
I absolutely loved this book! As an avid reader and animal lover I found this book to be very gripping and heartfelt. This book was filled with so much love and eloquently written. I felt like I was actually taken on this journey with them. It was worth the read and much more. It was a very personal and powerful reflection of selfless love, strength, and commitment. I would highly recommend this book for any pet lover out there.
June 13, 2021
I first heard of this book via a Mutts comic strip "Newshletter" and then was intrigued by the dog's name - Jerry G Dawg (named after Jerry Garcia and a side project called "Grateful Dawg", I am a Deadhead!). I watched a short video and decided I had to read this book. Was I glad I did! The couple who owned Jerry found out he had cancer and needed his leg amputated. Learning he would still not live very long, they sold there business and their home then bought an RV, just so they could spend their time with the dog they loved so much. What courage - I don't know if I could have done it. The book describes their two year travels with Jerry (who lived much longer than the prognosis). During their trip, they started a website called "Tripawds" that supports people who have three-legged pets. They visited people that they met through the website and they were filmed for a PBS special. The book is sort of a Kerouac "On the Road" with their beloved pet. They did this for the love they had for their pet, but they also learned about life from Jerry. It is an easy read and a heartwarming and touching book (and not maudlin) and you do not need to own a dog to enjoy it (I do not have a dog). Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book!
February 26, 2020
My life took a pivotal turn when my dachshund, Frankie, became paralyzed and would live the next six years in a wheelchair. It changed me on a deep level and one for which I remain grateful today.
While I’ve never experienced life with a Tripawd like the amazing and sweet Jerry G. Dawg, I understand the heart of what Rene and Jim experienced.
Their love for Jerry is so evident in the pages of Be More Dog. The fact that they just knew they had to spread a positive message about tripod dogs makes this story even more powerful.
My heart rejoiced with them as they encountered people on their travels who often had never met a 3-legged dog and the pride and joy they took in educating others sharing that Jerry was still an active, loving and happy dog. It brought back fond memories of my wheelie dog, Frankie when we educated young and old that paralyzed dogs can live fulfilling lives too.
I walked in understanding beside them as the story evolves to that day we all know will come, but find it so hard to bear. I applaud them for really feeling through every emotion and doing what they felt was best for Jerry each step of the way.
Special needs dog or not, this story is one every animal lover should read. But what makes a story such as this one so impactful is that within a special needs animal, we are given the opportunity to see into ourselves the parts of us that feel wounded. And this is where the true beauty of this story shines because animals truly want us to heal and why they stand beside us with such devotion and loyalty.
Bravo Jerry G. Dawg and to your pet parents whose words on the pages about their beautiful and touching journey with you that left this dog lover with a heart that expanded once again because of the teachings of dog that never fail to make us better humans.
While I’ve never experienced life with a Tripawd like the amazing and sweet Jerry G. Dawg, I understand the heart of what Rene and Jim experienced.
Their love for Jerry is so evident in the pages of Be More Dog. The fact that they just knew they had to spread a positive message about tripod dogs makes this story even more powerful.
My heart rejoiced with them as they encountered people on their travels who often had never met a 3-legged dog and the pride and joy they took in educating others sharing that Jerry was still an active, loving and happy dog. It brought back fond memories of my wheelie dog, Frankie when we educated young and old that paralyzed dogs can live fulfilling lives too.
I walked in understanding beside them as the story evolves to that day we all know will come, but find it so hard to bear. I applaud them for really feeling through every emotion and doing what they felt was best for Jerry each step of the way.
Special needs dog or not, this story is one every animal lover should read. But what makes a story such as this one so impactful is that within a special needs animal, we are given the opportunity to see into ourselves the parts of us that feel wounded. And this is where the true beauty of this story shines because animals truly want us to heal and why they stand beside us with such devotion and loyalty.
Bravo Jerry G. Dawg and to your pet parents whose words on the pages about their beautiful and touching journey with you that left this dog lover with a heart that expanded once again because of the teachings of dog that never fail to make us better humans.
February 21, 2020
Sometimes feeling is more important than thinking
I read this book with our sixteen-year-old dog by my side. Her time is coming soon enough, and this book has helped me prepare my soul for the inevitable.
I read this book with our sixteen-year-old dog by my side. Her time is coming soon enough, and this book has helped me prepare my soul for the inevitable.
March 5, 2022
Read this in a couple of days a few weeks after our 15 year old rescue died. I loved the honest emotion and the opportunities the authors provided to see the world through the eyes of the pet parents and through the eyes of "Jerry" who reminds us all to make sure to be in the present moment
June 4, 2020
The book was well done and engaging; a story about not only a special dog, but what that dog taught others he encountered along the way, including his grateful owners.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews