My Job

Hi it's me....Murphy!    It's been a very long time since Pack Leader put my thoughts onto paper.  I've been busy-busy-busy.   From playdates with my friends to visiting human family and friends - my time is put to good use!     I love being with my friends.   I get so excited when Pack Leader grabs my backpack (she tries to be very quiet while packing it with tennis balls and my water bottle) but I know exactly what that means - it means I'm going out for a barking good time!    I also love being with humans.   When I meet new humans I go flat on my back for belly rubs.   My tail never stops wagging.   I listen to these humans talk with my humans.....and when I hear them say how pretty and sweet I am.....it makes me think of what my job is.   That is to make you happy.


My humans are the best humans.  But all my friends tell me that their humans are the best, so we agree - we all have the best humans!
And because I love my humans each day like it's the first time I've ever met them....it is also my job to make sure they are taken care of too.   

Take my Forever Human.   I listen to her.  She continues to whisper "I'll love you forever" and though she can't hear me....I'm whispering back "but I'll love you all my days".

I'm always available to give kisses when needed.   Like Miss Tori needed after a ruff day at the medical office.   Miss Tori loves me.   And I love her.   She can't hear me say so, but when she sees my tail thumping against the sidewalk - she knows.

When Pack Leader lost her friend "Treat Momma" ( my Monster & Franks momma) I was there to dry Pack Leaders tears.  When humans are grieving -  dogs understand.   I could hear her heart breaking.  I would follow Pack Leader around the house.   I would curl up beside her when she was sitting quietly in a room.  I wanted her to know that I was there for her.

And I will always be there for my Monster & Frank.  We all miss Treat Momma.  So very much.

I will always take care of my humans.  I may not have the gusto of a German Shepherd, but I have the love and devotion to give to my humans.   I sometimes find myself grabbing their socks or the TV remote....but if they could only hear my thoughts - they would know my reason for grabbing such things.   Okay, sometimes I'm just so barking excited I can't help myself and the item nearest to me goes in my mouth.  (I learned it's not a good idea to grab Sassy Cat)   You will never go without my love.  My wet kisses.    When I look into your eyes I can see your soul.    Can you see mine?   

This is my job. 

Until next time,

Woofs,

Murphy

Happy New Year!

On the Move Pup

Hi there...it's me...Murphy!    

I've been told that I'm a - how do you humans say - "on the move" kinda pup.    I guess you could say I've got a social calendar that keeps my humans pretty busy.   But I'm not capable of scheduling these fun activities and trips.   I have no way of making phone calls.  The phone is forbidden.   In my mouth.  I've tried.   Not to make a phone call....but to look at eat the phone.  

Pack Leader reads my messages that I receive from my blog.   I sometimes get funny e-mails that make me BOL!   But one human sent an e-mail from her furbaby, who just happens to be a Golden Retriever-German Shepherd mix.   We call him a Golden Shepherd!    His name is Captain.  He's a service dog for a human with PTSD.    Captain's human said that Captain...would like to meet me but they live in California!   I think he wants a date with me!   BOL!    Thanks for following me on my blog and Facebook page, Captain!

Another e-mail was from a nice lady who  owned Golden Retrievers for 20 years!   She said my Facebook pictures make her smile and laugh.   And sometimes her eyes leak because she misses her dogs. 
So I'm sending puppy kisses and tail wags to you my friend.   xoxo


Since this is National Dog Week....I thought perhaps I would honor all of those wonderful dogs that came before me.   My humans loved their dogs so much.  Just like I'm loved by my humans. And pretty much those who meet me!  Pack Leader talks about her childhood dogs and Love Giver shares stories about his family dogs.  There was an English Setter, named Major,  when he was a baby and an American Bulldog named Chauncey.    Love Giver and Chauncey had great times at the river swimming.   Pack Leader owned the most dogs....and here's a bark out to them all.....

*Heidi - rescued Beagle mix
*Greta - German Schnauzer
*Candence - Poodle
*Chance - rescued German Shepherd mix
*Chin-Chopper  - rescued Doberman Pinscher 
*Bella - Rottweiler {Pack Leaders first dog as a college student!}
*Aurelia - German Shepherd that flunked out as a K-9 officer
*Otto - German Shepherd from East Germany
*Ben - fostered rescued St. Bernard 

And together ~ Love Giver and Pack Leader and their human kiddos were loved and loved these two very much!  
*Heidi - German Shepherd
*Samuel - Golden Retriever who was a Reader Buddy


Happy National Dog Week! 

Woofs,
Murphy  

A kiss is just a kiss....

Hey there...it's me....Murphy!     It's been so long, I don't want to think about it in dog years, since I've barked out to my fans!    My first summer - because I'm officially nine months old now - has been a doggone amazing one!   I'm not happy Forever Human went back to school.   Even though Pack Leader and Love Giver tell me it's only been a week ..... it feels like forever until she returns home to me!

Speaking of Forever Human....as you can see.....I kiss her a lot.   I know, I know...some humans don't like dog kisses.  You think you're going to get dog germs.  Maybe you listened to Lucy from the Peanuts too much.  I happen to like kissing my humans.  Especially my youngest in our pack.   And I always seem to get her just when she doesn't see my sweet kiss coming her way!  I almost shiver right out of my golden fur when I see her coming down the steps.  She's still sleepy, wiping her eyes and yawning.   And when she sits down beside me - that's when my timing is oh, so perfect!!   I love to hear her giggle.   Forever Human has the sweetest giggle and sometimes she can't stop.  But once she does stop giggling...my Forever Human leans in to kiss the top of my golden head - right on the top of my "knowledge knot".  She tells me how much she loves me.  "Forever", she whispers.

Forever Human and I like to take selfies together.   This one was taken at the beach. 

And sometimes I like to hold her hand.

Or wake her up with a sunlit kiss. 

As you can see....I'm never too far away from my human.

My purpose is to love her unconditionally.   I will always be by her side.   I may not be the best watchdog .... but I will protect her from squirrels.   I will listen to you read to me.  I will try my best not to grab your stuffies....even though they are oh, so tempting!  

I will kiss you ..... as time goes by.

Meet Lucky ~ featured pet friend

Meet Lucky.   Lucky is an English Lab.   I like to say Lucky is an English Gentleman!   Doesn't he look distinguished relaxing on his leather recliner?!  

English Labradors were originally bred as a gun dog.  And they are a favorite in the field of service dog, and therapy dogs.   But Lucky isn't a hunter....he just likes to pretend to be one!

Lucky lives with his humans which consist of two human parents and two human sisters.  They love Lucky and he loves them very much.  
Lucky's favorite toy is a squeaky red football.  And he loves chasing rabbits, cats and flies!   Oh, Lucky...just don't eat the flies!   BOL!

Lucky also likes to swim.   this is why he's another one of my boyfriends!     His family pack up the car and take him swimming in West Virginia near Harpers Ferry and he loves it!   

Lucky's humans call him a "couch potato" because his favorite spot is being on the couch. 

Lucky enjoys tasty Indian Roti with white rice.  But he doesn't care for sour strawberries.   He also likes his tasty organic pup treats made with blueberries!   And I was lucky enough to have one at his house when we had our playdate!    Lucky....you eat like a king!

Lucky's two human sisters worked very hard at training him.   He's very active, but is a super good listener!   Pack Leader said I should watch Lucky very closely!   Is she trying to tell me something?! 

Lucky lives so close to me we could bark in code if we wanted too! 

  I can't wait to have another playdate with Lucky!   

If you ever get to meet my new friend Lucky....you'll be very lucky that you did!    BOL!

Until next time...

Woofs,

Murphy 

Sum~sum~summertime!

Hello...it's me....Murphy!   But you must now know that it's always going to be me.....


Summertime is here for me and my humans!   My furfriends too!    And......this Friday, me and my siblings are turning seven months old!    I'm growing up to be a very pretty girl.   So I'm told.
Some say I look like my momma, Roo.   Others who have seen pictures of my daddy, River, say I look like him.   No matter who I look like......I'm Murphy!    And I love being me!


I am taking another training break until September.   Then I can work with my group again so I can be a good K-9 citizen.  Keeping my paws crossed, it's on to therapy training.  

While I'm taking a break from training and my Forever Human is taking a break from school, we are having a lot of fun together!    I sometimes get to walk her to swim practice in the mornings, and then after she is finished being a Piranha, that's her swim team name my humans take me swimming.   Sometimes we go to the resevoir, but the man with the badge on his shirt looks at Pack Leader with a growl on his face.   Pack Leader smiles back and tells the man with the badge on his shirt, "she just can't get enough of water!".     He walks away.
  

No one ever said three's a crowd!   It's a pawty!

My furfriend Gunner ~ from class.  He likes to run fast!

I'm patiently waiting for my Uber driver to open the car door.

That Uber driver happens to be Pack Leader - BOL!

My humans are taking me to Deep Creek Lake where dogs are welcome to be there all the time all year round!   No cats.  Only dogs!    BOL!

I can swim, jump off a low dock into the blue water.  I can go on the boat and even snorkel with my Forever Human.  But I won't need a snorkel, because I enjoy blowing bubbles in my water bowl, so I have lots of practice!  And boy, do I ever get in trouble because I make the kitchen floor a mess!  Pack Leader said she's going to train me to drink from a straw!  

Love Giver planned a hiking trip in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.  I'll be able to jump in the stream and splash around in the Shenandoah River.
And our last trip is in September to the Outer Banks!  More dog friendly places!!!!

Have you noticed all of our trips include WATER!

Can't wait for my our water trips!  I'm so sad Sassy Cat won't be able to join us.....but she just hisses at me and then womps me on the head with her teeny little paws.   She's sooooo sassy!

Until next time,
A big bark out to my siblings.....Cash,Ellie-Roo,Piper,Lola & Belle!

Woofs!

Murphy

A Dog with a Purpose

Hi there...it's me....Murphy!

While I was exploring the living room, my nose found a large pile of books.   My nose found a book called "A Dog's Purpose".   My mouth pulled it out of the pile - and while I was chewing paging through this book about a puppy who becomes many different dogs during it's cycle of life, I now know why humans read such books that make their eyes leak.

I think my purpose in life is to be Forever Humans best friend.   I live in the moment to make you feel my unconditional love.  Even while I'm chewing paging through your books that you forgot to put in a safe place - away from my large pearly white teeth......my purpose is to make you happy.    I think my purpose in life is to get as much and give as much love as I can to Love Giver.   I give him the most sloppy kisses!   Even though I now weigh 50 pounds...Love Giver picks me up so I can get closer to his chin.  He tells me that I'm a good girl and such a pretty girl too.   My heart nearly pounds right out of my golden chest!  I think my purpose is to make his day when he comes home from a long night at the office....I wait eagerly as he puts down his briefcase.....then I sit and I wiggle in my skin for him to say "okay Murphy".   He smiles and will ask "who's my girl?"   I am!  Murphy!

I think my purpose is to teach humans how to laugh.  To be responsible.  To show love and to be loved.   I think my purpose is to one day help people find their lost smile.

  I think my purpose is to enjoy my life and your life.

I think my purpose is to grow in your heart as I grow in age.   To give you unconditional love no matter what kind of day you had.  Or the kind of day I had.    I think my purpose is to go to sleep happy and wake up happy.  To eat and sleep again.  I think my purpose is to retrieve as many tennis balls as possible.  Our lives are too short not to break rules - so far, I've collected over 74 tennis balls.  My purpose for this is to share with my best friends at the dog park.   okay, so I'm working on that.   I think my purpose in life is to swim like no other dog.   To become one with the water.   To find my inner otter.  I think my purpose in life is to pee and poo as many times a day as it comes to my mind.  And if I am distracted by a squirrel or an air bus please give me extra time to sniff out a new spot.  This is my purpose.  I think.

I think my purpose in life is to be a dog.  Just that.  This is all I know.  And because I'm a dog I have everything you need.  The tail that can't stop wagging because you are home.  Or...you're out of the bathroom.  I don't know that I'm knocking over coffee cups.  I don't know the price of those shoes or the ugly antique.   Because my purpose is to be your dog.  I think my purpose may be to chew retrieve your flip-flops.   Because my purpose is to be your dog - and that means my purpose is to make you laugh.   To make you happy.  To make you proud.   And to love you like no other dog in your life has ever loved you.   That just may be my purpose.

I think my purpose is to slow you down or to make you go faster.   No matter how slow or fast we go....my purpose is to be with you.   My purpose in life is to be by your feet.  To be on your bed. 
To add extra hair on your clothes. 

I think my purpose in life is to just be me.   I like me.
I'm a happy dog.  

That is my purpose.



Woofs,
Murphy  

knowing her weakness....is my strength

Hi there!   It's me...Murphy!

I have been enjoying these sunny days with my friends and family.   I've been to the beach, the lake and visiting the dog park a couple times a week, swimming at our secret water place and frolicking in Griffin's pupperpool at his house.   And in exactly 14 days - Forever Human is out of school and all mine!!!    No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers dirty looks!

Did you ever find a humans weakness?   Yes, I'm sure you have!  

Let me tell you about my Pack Leader.  She doesn't know that I know her weakness.  But it's all in my hazelnut eyes and my long white eye brow whiskers that twitch when she is speaking to me.   So when she's barking at me because I nearly pulled her out of those pink Mizuno running shoes when we are walking on the trail and I decide it's time to pee....she isn't happy.   I sit there and twitch my brows. 

When it's time to "wait" at the front door for me to exit and I retrieve a full rose in bloom off of the rose bushes and she barks "leave it"......she isn't happy.   I sit there and twitch my brows.   we have plenty of pretty pink roses in vases. 

When it's time to leave our secret swimming place but I pretend I can't hear my command, this is after she swims out and takes my tennis ball.....she isn't happy.   I sit there and twitch my brows.   

Oh, and I'm not happy because she took my tennis ball!

When Love Giver forgets I'm not permitted on the sofa.....she isn't happy.  I sit there and twitch my brows.    Love Giver rocks!!!!!!

Pack Leader thinks I'm not paying attention but I am.   Sometimes she gives me this little tap with her foot for me to "snap out of it".   She learned that years ago from a little man named Cesar Milan.  I bet even Mr. Milan has a weakness!   I think I'll chew up those dog training DVD's.  BOL!

I've been proving to Pack Leader that I am paying attention, I am focused and I am her Warrior!

When we walk on the trail these days the Robins know I'm there.   They quickly flutter away because those nasty birds as Pack Leader calls them know I must  protect my Pack Leader.   When the squirrels see me walking with my chest out and head held high....oh, wait.....squirrel!  

When we are at the dog park and I'm retrieving the ball like a champ Pack Leader is proud.  She has her head held high and barking at me "good girl Murphy!".   

When we are walking around the nature preserve board walk and humans stop to say hello and pet me.....she is proud how I sit and wait to be greeted.  She is in her glory!   Golden Glory!

When I listen to Pack Leader talk about the dogs of her past......she smiles because I sit there and twitch my brows.  And at times, I see her eyes leaking.  Then she laughs because I nuzzle her with my nose and she can feel my long white whiskers tickle her cheeks.  

We are a team.   We will always be a team.   She's my Pack Leader.   And I am her Warrior. 

I love going for walks along the Old Dominion/DC Trail. We watch the ducks fly past heading to the Potomac River. We meet friendly runners and hikers. Sometimes we walk with other humans and their dogs.   After we say goodbye to the humans and their dogs we met along the way, we sit down on a bench.   Pack Leader enjoys a refreshing iced tea and I enjoy fresh water.   I look up at her....and I twitch my brows.  

And she smiles.  And sometimes I see her eyes leaking.