One man"s journey to raise awareness for canine cancer

February 26, 1:13 PM
by Jane Porricelli, Providence Dogs Examiner

For Luke Robinson, the answer to that question is quite literal – 2,400 miles. On foot.

On March 16, 2008, Robinson left Austin, TX with his two Great Pyrenees dogs, Hudson and Murphy, by his side. They are now nearly one year into – and halfway through – the hike of their lives, one that Robinson hopes will help save lives.

This hike, which Robinson is chronicling on his website, www.2dogs2000miles.org, is taking the trio from Austin to Boston, all to raise awareness for canine cancer, which took Robinson’s beloved Great Pyrenees, Malcolm, in 2006.

Robinson says that Malcolm’s two-year fight, “was truly a life defining experience and one that’s made me re-evaluate my place in the world and what my contribution can be.” This re-evaluation led to his decision to quit his job, sell his truck, put all of his belongings in storage, and plan his cross-country walk in honor of Malcolm and all those touched by cancer.

As one of those people touched by cancer myself, I am deeply humbled by Robinson’s selflessness and dedication to the cause. In fact, he told ZooToo.com that since losing Malcolm he has, “devoted the rest of my life to canine cancer, to raising awareness for it.”

I lost my Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, Bismarck, to an aggressive form of Gastrointestinal Lymphoma in July 2007. He wasn’t even 6 years old. Seeing how one man has turned his devastation over losing his dog – a feeling I know all too well – into a journey to help so many others has left me inspired beyond words.

Robinson’s itinerary is not set in stone. Along the way, he has changed his route up a bit, made some unplanned stops, and stayed a bit longer in some places than others. But Boston is where this particular trek of his will end. And whenever that ends up being, I plan on being there. To shake his hand. To pet his pups. And to thank him. On behalf of Bismarck – and all of those touched by cancer.

After all, it will take me just 40 miles to get from Providence to Boston. Not even close to the 2,400 Robinson will have traveled to get there.