28

What does 28 mean to you?  Some time back, I noticed that Murphy likes to lift his leg and "mark" his territory as we walk through the park.  I noticed that he does that a lot.  So I decided to count.  For our walk around the park, he "marked" 28 times in 1 3/8 miles - that's about once every 250 feet.

 

When we walk around the park, all the other dogs will know that Murphy was there!

 

 

There was a hearing yesterday in Dekalb Superior Court.  Here is the link to the article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

 

Wow, it's been a long time since I've updated here! Lots has happened in the past month or so.  Tricia and Stella have moved to Boston, so it's just me and the boys now.  Murphy continues his miraculous recovery.  Since he has regained his health, he now seems to be developing his personality.  And what a sweet personality it is!  There's a saying "Lord, may I be half the person my dog thinks I am".  This definitely holds true with Murphy.  The dance he does when I get home from work, and when it's time to go for a walk, is a terrific demonstration of the joy in his heart.

 

We've had a lot of thunderstorms in Atlanta, and I have learned that Murphy doesn't like thunder.  One evening, the thunder was booming close to my house, and Murphy very coolly got up, walked into my closet and sat down, facing me.  I went in there with him and sat down, and learned it was a lot quieter in there - the clothes absorb the noise!

 

Two people who had an important part in Murphy's story came by to see him; Marc and Melissa.  They were in the park the morning I found Murphy - Melissa took my keys and went and got my car, while Marc and I figured out how to load Murph into the car without hurting him any more than he was hurt already.  Thank you Marc and Melissa!

 

Today marks three months since I found Murphy!  To celebrate this anniversary, check out this article written by my friend Heather from Furry Paws Pet Photography:

 

Big news!  Several weeks ago, I got VCA Pets are People Too to send blood samples from Murphy to a lab for DNA analysis to determine his breed profile!  I had been told that Murphy is a 9 year old Australian Shepherd mix.

 

In truth his breed profile is:

25% - German Shepherd

25% - Chinese Shar-Pei

12.5% - Labrador Retriever

12.5% - Chow-Chow

Plus a minor amount of DNA from a Minature Poodle

 

You'll notice that adds up to slightly over 75% - so, their are other breed markers in quantities too small to report.

 

I have to conclude that Murphy is a true, all-American Heinz 57 variety mutt!

 

All is well with Murphy, Stella and Charlie!  Although Charlie had a stick lodged in his mouth this afternoon, and came inside foaming at the mouth from trying to spit it out.  Thanks to Tricia for getting it out for him!

 

Murphy's recovery continues to be a total miracle.  His coat is growing back and is shiny and luxurious.  He has put on a few pounds and looks sleek and handsome!  He and Charlie have become good buddies and take turns playing chase in the back yard.  When we go to the dog park, if any of the other dogs mess with Murphy, Charlie comes to his defense!

 

All in all, he's becoming just a normal dog, living a normal life.  Except he's a miracle!

 

 

Murphy's Likes:                                                             Murphy's Dislikes:

 

A Walk (specially a Walk in the Park!)                           The vacuum cleaner

Belly rubs                                                                       Being alone

Scratching his face

When I come home

Other dogs

Meeting new people

 

Did I mention that Murphy LOVES a walk?  His hair is growing back from where he was shaved for his surgery, and he has put on a couple of pounds from eating regularly.  He looks so much better that I am not getting so many questions when we go for a walk - he's starting to look like a normal dog!  He surely is acting like a normal dog!  He was accompanied on his morning walk by people -  me, Cathie, Pam; and dogs - Stella, Charlie, Jaeger, Darby, Jack, Molly and Mac.

 

This evening, Peggy and Phil came by for a visit with Murphy and dropped off a Care Package and Christmas gift for him.  He spent a lot of time gnawing on his new rawhide bone, very happy until Stella noticed and stole the bone while he wasn't looking!

 

It's Murphy's first Christmas in his new home!  Murphy, Charlie, Stella and I are watching "It's a Wonderful Life" - and it is truly a wonderful life for all of us.  This morning Charlie and Murphy played Chase in the backyard - they took turns chasing each other full speed ahead, up and down the yard.  Those two have been slowly warming up to each other and it looks like they're going to be great friends.  Stella is still somewhat aloof, but she's always kind to Murph even when she growls at him for violating her personal space.

 

Murphy's health is steadily improving.  When he came home, he had eight different medications to take: two antibiotics, an antacid, something to aid his digestion, pain medication, something for his skin, something for dizziness and one more I'm not sure what it does!  He's down to just two - the skin medication and an occasional pain pill.

 

Murphy really likes to have his face scratched where the hair is growing back in and he coughs and sneezes from time to time.  Other than that, his health seems to be fine.

 

He understands the words "Walk" and "Park" and when I put them together to "Walk in the Park" he goes to the front door and dances around in circles!  When he does go for a walk he is usually recognized as the celebrity dog that he is!  He is truly a miracle!

 

 

 

Murphy the dog was found in Murphey Candler Park.  When he was first being treated at Pets Are People Too, we tried to decide on a name for him.  I agreed with the staff that we should name him Murphey after the park, so that's what all his initial paperwork says.  When the media got hold of the story, they almost unanimously called him Murphy, so when Wachovia Bank created his account, it was in the name of Murphy the Dog.

 

Murphy doesn't seem to care whether the name has the "e" in it or not - he's just happy to be a dog!

 

Tuesday, Murphy got his first bath!  He really enjoyed getting clean and spent a lot of time "self grooming" after the bath.

 

Wednesday evening, Murphy sat with me and watched Stella and Charlie playing and decided to participate!  Stella played a little rough and he yelped so that was the end of playing for the night, but a big move in acceptance into the doggie household!

 

Today Murphy went for two walks, one in the morning and another in the evening.  Cathie and Darby joined Stella, Charlie, Murphy and me for the morning walk and Mary, Raymond and Mica joined us for the evening walk. 

 

He loves his walk!  He jumps up and dances around in circles when I pick up the leash, and he sniffs and pees to mark his territory ever thirty seconds.  All of the other dogs will know Murphy was here!

 

The highlight of today was the enthusiasm with which Murphy ate!  He also got to go on a shopping trip to Pet Smart!

 

Today was a big day for Murphy.  We went to the vet and he got his stitches out and then got his vaccinations.  He "ouched" when a couple of the stitches came out and again when his shots were given.  He was very brave and the staff was amazed at how well he is doing!

 

On Sunday afternoon, Stella, Charlie and I went to the dog park at Brook Run.  Stella and Charlie were free to run around but I kept Murphy on the leash just to be super careful about his interactions with other dogs.  No worries however, and he was very well behaved and at the same time curious.  After a good hour walk, we came home and the dogs slept.  I think the exercise is really helping Murphy to sleep better and to have a better appetite.

 

Murphy and Charlie are curled up next to each other on the sofa, sleeping.  The day is coming to and end and the dogs are pooped!  Thanks to 1850 for her help walking the dogs this afternoon: Murphy, Stella, Charlie, Jack and Molly went for a walk that was around 2.5 miles.  Again, Murphy loved his walk - he sniffs everything and enjoys meeting new dogs.  As I type this, Charlie is dreaming and Murphy is sleeping soundly.

 

Murphy had a big day today!  He went for his first morning walk with Stella and Charlie, and he LOVED it!  He pulled at his leash tyring to get me to walk faster, sniffed everything in the park, met some new dogs and some new people and just had a great time!  The exercise improved his appetite and helped him sleep better.  After work, he played in the backyard, tried to herd Charlie and tried to mount Stella - Stella would have none of that.  Then at night Murphy had company come to visit - Sarah and Ben.  He growled at both of them until he got to know them - he's protective of his new home already!

 

I'm sitting in my chair surrounded by dogs, watching old episodes of "Lost".  Murphy is curled up to my left, Stella is directly beneath my legs and Charlie is stretched out on the sofa.

 

Last night was a hectic night, and a night of learning new things.  I learned that Murphy is not really fond of his prescription diet unless some chicken is added in.  I learned that when I go to the kitchen to get the chicken, I need to shut the gate, because Stella swooped in and gobbled up Murphy's prescription dinner!

 

I learned that Murphy is happy just as long as he's with the family.  While there are no people around, he has to be seperated from Charlie and Stella, lest they play too hard.  So he has a gate to his apartment.  Whenever he is on one side of the gate and we're on the other, he expresses his disapproval! 

 

Murphy came home tonight!  All of the TV channels were there to witness his departure from Pets are People Too.  All of the staff there will miss him, but it was obvious that Murphy was ready to move on.

 

Murphy was reintroduced to Stella and Charlie when he got home - Stella immediately stole his toy, and then growled at him all night long daring him to come and take it back!  Murphy, however, was indifferent to the toy, so Stella asserted her dominance.

 

Charlie jumped up and down and wanted to play, but when he figured out that Murphy was not in the mood he gave up and went back to being his goofy self.

 

Murphy ate chicken and rice heartily, and curled up at the foot of my chair.  I think he's very happy with his new home.

 

(Note:  For the time being, we are a foster home for Murphy.  At some time in the future, I hope that I can adopt him permanently).

 

Great news!  Murphy is almost ready to be discharged!  He's eating and drinking, and peeing and pooping.  I spent the evening preparing his new home for him, and arranging a space where he can be screened from the two Goldens when there are no people around to supervise.  It's very possible that I will be picking him up tomorrow!

 

Murphy growled a couple of times in his cage, so the staff at Pets are People Too let him out and he was hanging out on a tether when I got there.  I brought my Golden Retriever, Charlie, with me so he could meet Murphy.  They exchanged sniffs in places where it just doesn't seem two guys should sniff each other, and seemed to get along just fine!  Charlie was much more interested in Murphy's food (and some cat food, and anything else which seemed like food).  Murphy still hasn't eaten much; his pain medication is down to oral meds now so that should help.

 

Murphy, Charlie and I then took a walk - we walked around the exam table 7 or 8 times - Murphy was great, and very responsive to the phrase "Good Boy"!  The walk wore him out, so we left to let him rest.

 

 

I went back to see Murphy, this time I brought my Golden Retriever, Stella.  When we arrived, Murphy was eating rotiserrie chicken from Publix!  Stella sniffed some, but was mostly indifferent.  We took a walk outside - Murphy peed, pooped and walked around outside, and generally acted like a dog!  We came back inside after about 10-15 minutes and Murphy pretty much went straight to his cage and laid down.  Probably wore him out - has to be good for his appetite!

 

Everyone at VCA Pets are People Too

The Dekalb County Animal Cruelty Task Force

Officers Chandler and Hearst

Assistant D.A. Harris

 

Only a few of the people who have expressed concern and made donations for Murphy's care:

 

Lisa S.                            Beth & Rudy F.                Pam B. (aka 1850)

Bettye & Joe D.               Rick C.                            Andrea M.

Deirdree N.                      Jo'Ann H.                        Olivia B.

Julie J.                            Kerry McK                       Isabel B.

Patricia & Bob J.             Margy & Dave                   Lisa H.

Xenia W.                         Ila T.                                Pat B.

Kim B.                            Jo McC                            Santa H.

The MCHA Homeowners Assoc, who passed the hat for Murphy (thanks again Lisa)

Charlie who loaned me his cell phone

Melissa, Mark & Rudy who helped me get Murphy in the car

Jeff from Bil-Jac who donated dog food

Melinda & Tom F. who donated a Heavenly Dog Bed

 

Over 1,000 people have donated to Murphy's fund at Wachovia Bank.  Your names are not passed on to me, but you know who you are and I'm most grateful!  Murphy's veterinary bills have been paid in full!

 

Murphy was up and walking around, although a little wobbly.  I fed him some baby food on a tongue depressor; he ate a tiny amount.  The doctors are reducing his pain medication to try to get him to eat some more.  As soon as he can eat and not regurgitate, he will be coming home!