Tribute to Murphy~ A message from Mom and Dad

Dear Murphy,

We remember the first time we saw you – it was the adoption add for Mile High GSPs. We read your bio, filled out the application, and could not stop talking about how much we hoped we would be the ones to adopt you. We knew there were so many families that wanted to bring you home, and we just hoped and prayed we would be the ones. The day finally came in mid-January when we got to meet you, and take you home. I remember how little you were. You were running around your foster mom’s yard, and she was scolding you for trying to chew the pinecones off of the trees. We got to take you home that day. I (Rachel) think I cried a little on the way home I was so happy.

You were loved and gave us all of your love from the minute we were able to call you family. You made yourself right at home. Bailey, although he always wanted to let you know that he was the older brother, loved you from the start. He was sharing all of his toys with you, except for a few bones, and you were shredding them all. We soon realized we needed to get tougher toys.

You always loved to chew. We found this out early on, when you chewed our couches. Luckily, they were old, hand-me-down couches, and you were kind enough to chew the interior padding, so it was not so noticeable. We remember coming home a few times to a couple of dogs hiding out in the bedroom with fluff all over the living room. We tried not to laugh when we were scolding you.

Then there were the times when you would set the alarm off jumping over the furniture while we were gone. We so wish we could have had a camera in the house to see what you and Bailey were up to while we were gone. You were such a wonderful mix of excitement, adventurousness, and being a big baby. Your fear of the vacuum never really went away.

Our adventures were endless, especially when we lived in Colorado. You travelled to Fort Collins, Breckenridge, Glenwood Springs, and Michigan. We took you and Bailey hiking whenever we could, whether a new trail, a long hike, or an afternoon trip to Red Rocks or Stratton open space. Every day we did something outside, whether walk, run, play fetch, go to the dog park, or go for a hike, rain, snow, or shine. Your question mark tail was always wagging. I remember the first time you learned how to swim at Stratton Open Space. I (Rachel) was talking to Anthony on the phone, he was training, and I was so used to you only going in up to your knees. I looked up and you were swimming! I was so happy I think I cried then too.

Every summer you got to take your trip to Michigan without fail. We have so many memories of you chasing Bailey on the beach in Lake Michigan, digging in the sand, and running like crazy in the woods in Lewiston. We would call and call for you, and you would zoom up right behind us. One of our favorite memories was when Bailey got stuck in a hole in the dock, and you jumped right over him and into the lake. We still laugh about that. Our Michigan adventures were never ending, like when you were swimming after baby ducklings near the beaver dam or you and Bailey got to spend the day on the pontoon boat and swimming in another lake. During the Holidays we all laughed when all four family dogs got to open all their presents for Christmas – I think you dogs got more presents than anyone. We knew you loved Michigan so much, for the adventures, the time with your dog friends Drake and Forrest, and all of the extra family cuddles you always got. Including all of those treats you got from Grandma Padalino.

When we moved to Georgia you were a southern dog. We remember taking you to Savannah and walking all over the parks and squares. You also got to go to Dahlonega and hike to some beautiful waterfalls.

And finally, we moved to Kentucky. Here we think you got to go home to Michigan about thirty times. No more holidays at the kennel, we got to spend as much time with you and Bailey as possible. The Lake Michigan beach, Lewiston woods, and grandparent’s homes became a regular trip.

We loved every ounce of you, Murphy. And all of your funny nicknames – Murph, Murph-a-lurf, Dumpy, Wiggly, and Muffler. There are so many memories, we don’t know if we can put them all on paper. You were always so photogenic, we are so, so thankful to have so many pictures of you. It was hard not to take pictures of you, you were so cute. There were the Halloween costumes, the winter sweaters, the cuddles in the blankets, and the summer bandanas. You always looked your best.

You were always on guard against unwanted squirrels or birds in the yard. Every home we had, you picked your spot near backyard window – patiently waiting for a “tree rat” (squirrel) or a bird to jump into the yard. When they did, you quickly alerted your brother Bailey, the house, and possibly the neighborhood. We would let you out and laugh as you would crouch under the fence with your butt in the air, or run laps around the yard after the intruders. In the morning, you would follow us around the house before work – making sure we completed all of our chores before heading out for the day. Then resting at the top of the stairs to guard until we came home.

There were all the times you were my (Rachel) running buddy. You would run right by my side, with your tail up, just taking it all in. You loved getting out on the those runs and seeing what was out there. And of course, chasing the squirrels. We always loved to let you indulge in your prey drive, we knew it was part of who you were. Squirrels, bunnies, and birds beware.

You were always such a lover. From day one you would crawl into our laps and try to lick our faces and we loved every cuddle with you. We laugh when we think of how you would burrow under the covers in the bed when we were sleeping and wake us up by licking our legs. When you were a puppy you would slip through spaces between the furniture when you borrowed a bone from Bailey without his permission, or hide under the bed when you set the alarm off. You were always by our side giving us love and letting us give you cuddles and hugs. We have never met a dog that was so good at hugs.

Your ball will always be a fun reminder of the dog that you were. You were obsessed with that orange chuck-it ball, you just were. We could have 5 orange chuck-it balls laying around the house, but if it wasn’t your exact ball, you didn’t want it. You always had that ball, whether you were sleeping, eating, or just hanging out. Our homework was always filled with lots of breaks, about every 5 minutes, to play fetch with that ball. At some point, we are pretty sure we became obsessed with that ball – always looking for it when you lost it under the couch. We knew you put it under the couch on purpose Murph!

We miss those cuddles, playing with the ball, dog walks, and long looks into those big brown eyes more than you can know. The last five months in caring for you while the DCM progressed were some of the hardest times of our lives. We are so proud of how strong you were during the time, with the meds, the vet visits, not feeling your best, and the limits on your activity. Every day, even when we could see that you weren’t feeling well, you gave us your love. You kept on loving the outdoors, loving your family, and loving that orange chuck-it ball. We are so thankful that we were able to spend the five months from your diagnosis to your passing living each day the way that we did. Hugs, cuddles, and kisses every morning and every night. We think you know how much we really, really loved you.

You turned five years old this September, and you family and dog friends made the trip to Kentucky to celebrate your life. Five years of Murphy! Your passing this October came to soon. We are relieved that we could be with you and love you until the end, and that in the end, you had peace and comfort. We love you so much Murphy.

Love you always Murphy.