” THE RIDE”- The Tripawd Rollercoaster Ride
REQUIREMENTS/CONSIDERATIONS:
Any breed allowed
No height limit
No age limit
In considerably good health
Within weight limits (for breed)
3 legs required!
WARNING! (Read before entering ride):
NOT recommended for the faithless, hopeless, easily knocked down, or faint of heart!!!
I’ve said it time and time again. That, “THIS journey is one that ISN’T for the faint of heart!!!” You’ve got to BRACE YOURSELF FIRMLY, DIG DEEP, and HOLD ON to any and all HOPE.” THIS journey though, is one that we voluntarily, willingly, go through (as scared and paralyzed by fear as we may be) out of sheer LOVE.
The “Tripawd Rollercoaster Ride” is just that: One Hell Of a Ride!
The ups and downs, Highs and lows, twists and turns can at times be ALMOST too much to handle. At some points during “The Ride” you are climbing up (on a steep incline, bracing yourself for what you know lies just up ahead), sometimes you are taking the plunge, free falling (stomach in your throat, heart racing, hair in the air)You find yourself torn between adrenaline induced exhilaration/terror. And…just when you think it’s about to be over- at an unforeseen, unexpected moment- “The Ride” throws you for a loop. And, For a split second you find yourself completely upside down (not knowing which way is up and which way is down, or if you lost anything in the process). And by the time you try to focus on re-orientating yourself, you’ve exited the loop and are right side up again. Phew!
THIS ride, which most Tripawds end up riding, which I refer to as “THE RiDE”, is a force to be reckoned with.
“The Ride” is: nail-biting, thrilling, terrorizing, exhilarating, adrenaline-pumping…you name it.
It awakens ALL senses and allows you to experience the broadest spectrum of emotions.
It awakens the most primal instinct within each of us, that perhaps had been lying dormant. It shows us who we really are, and what we’re really made of.
On THiS “Ride” We, by virtue of our “Warrior Tripawds”, are transformed into “survivors” and “fighters”. We are able to catch a glimpse of the ZEST for life which embodies each Tripawd Warrior, the STRENGTH with which they confront obstacles, and the RELIEF they feel once the journey and crazy ride has ended.
For me, “THE RIDE” which I took with my tripawd, my boy, my great love, Bruno, was NEVER an option. It was ultimately “the ride of a lifetime” and taught me so much. Regardless of how anxious it made me, (Which I can’t say that I would ride again immediately after getting off) is one which I WOULD, however, definitely get in line for again. (If I knew then, what I Know now, I WOULD Do it all again.)
Because- to pass up “The Ride”, means to pass up an “experience of a lifetime”.
To me, it means to “fold” and not play the hand you’ve been dealt, to choose to “pass” and not play, to not cross your fingers, to not “roll the dice” and hope that LAdy Luck is on your side, to not “try” (for the sake of the possibility) to “defy the odds”, and to CHOoSE to not “BELiEVE” in even the slightest possibility of “miracles”.
THIS “Ride”, for some, seems to end far too quickly and way before they were wanting it to be over; and yet for Others, it crosses the finish line just at the point Of Being more than they can handle.
Within such a Short span of time, “The Ride” leaves you feeling grateful, alive, stronger, and with a sense of accomplishment.
So…will you ride?
You as sooooooo right with every single descriptive word!!!! I felt every emotion over and over and the up and down emotions were jammed into our nerve endings as we gasped for air and cheered with joy—–all at the same time!!
You masterfully, absolutely masterfully articulated what everyone feels. Yay! Someone gets it AND can actually use the English language to the words the heart tries to speak
Thank you for the gift Bruno Bruiser! This is a MUST READ for anyone on this journey. Your life is still touching others and that’s a life well lived. I know when the Great Spirit in the Sky saw you coming all the angels were giving you a standing ovation!!! Shhhhhh—I think I can still hear them cheering even now!
Deep appreciation for the gift, Sally and Happy Hannah
Thanks for the kind words. I am so happy to hear that you and Hannah are well on your way towards a healthy recovery. The road isn’t easy, but we must never waiver and try to stay the course. I wish you and Hannah all the best!
Maricela and Spirit Bruno
Thank you for sharing your “Ride” with us. I know I wouldn’t change my ride with Sassy for the world. Well, maybe one thing. that would have been to amputate right away and not do biopsies but we can’t change what has been done, only learn from it
Thanks for your gift
Yesh! Thank you for sharing these thoughts. Excellent advice for anyone going down this road.
Beautifully said! Lost my amer bully Trina,they were almost the same ages to OS last yr.She was borm 2005 and made it to Dec 2011. They are the best dogs ever!
I joined TriPawds last summer. I had been following Bruiser Bruno during his fight. I was so sad to hear he lost his battle.
Thanks you for sharing such an articulate interpretation of the ‘journey’. Your strength and courage will benefit others experiencing the ‘ride’.
Life goes on, but pawprints are left on our hearts.
Charlie (and his mom)
http://charliewarlie.tripawds.com
Wow! You described “the ride” so eloquently. Anyone who has faced a loss can certainly find himself “feeling” and reliving “the ride”. By your writing, you are keeping Bruno’s spirit alive. Thank you for sharing such profound feelings. I love all of the pictures. I miss my Bruno.
Texas Grandma
Just finished going over your entire site and just want to add to my previous entry——–you are a creative and journalistic genius!! Your documentation of your babies is absolutely mesmerizing. Thank you for sharing such a profound love—one we can all relate to but, for me anyway, would never express so eloquently and with such perfection.
Thank you again Bruno Bruiser for being born. Your legacy is alive and touches hearts everyday. Nothing can dim the bright beacon of light you shared with everyone.
With gratitude, Sally and Happy Hannah
Maricela, I don’t think anyone has ever described the journey so accurately as you just did. Wow. I’m so glad I finally had a chance to sit down and read this. It took my breath away.
(p.s. GREAT images, by the way!).
xoxo
Hey Maricela, did you ever see my email reply about the images? Check your spam folder, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Yes, this describes it quite well. From Athena’s cancer diagnosis 15 days ago until now, I feel like I’ve already been through a lot of these emotions already. And I’m bracing for even more to come.
(Bruno was such a beautiful boy.)
Best wishes,
Jessica and Athena