Anything I do Hamish do's too

Hi!    Murphy here!   
This post is all about what my little bother brother does.   Better yet....what I DO he tries to DO and tries to DO it better!    
Hamish is growing bigger each week.   He doesn't have far to catch up to me!   I know he's really growing because he can't sneak under my body anymore.  He tries but then he gets stuck.  Hamish follows me around a lot.  I mean a lot!   I go to the door to potty....he goes to the door to potty.  I get a drink of water.  He gets a drink of water and he STILL goes under my head to catch the water out of my mouth!   Hamish, or as we like to call him Sir Hamish the Handful likes to meet new humans and their dogs.   He has spent some time with my Griffin and Athena and went for a walk with Monte the Kuchi dog.   Our friend Kodi, the Leonberger finally met my little bother brother.   Hamish looks so teeny standing next to big Kodi!    It won't be too much longer and Hamish will be running with the pack.   Hamish is beginning to receive fan mail on my Facebook page!    I told Hamish if he gets us more followers on my blog and likes on my Facebook page I promised to take him to Swim Club next month!   Actually my humans already told me that my little bother brother is going to Swim Club next month.   Mr. Rodger who owns the aquatic center will have Hamish go to the beginners pool because he is a little dude.   Love Giver said that when I go practice my diving Hamish gets to  tag along come along and watch me dive.   Don't worry little dude.....you'll get to swim in the big water after practice with all the other newbies!    My little bother brother is becoming my best little pal.  Even though he jumps on me when I'm trying to meditate [that's actually bird watching] or doing chew-yoga on my favorite bone [which we have four now but he still wants mine!] I can't imagine my life without that little handful bother brother of mine.  I think he looks up to me.   I know he needs me to guide him and protect him from the Chipmunks.  He likes to play tug with me and sometimes I let him win [until he starts to outweigh me!] and I know Hamish will find the importance of the tennis ball.   We are retrievers and we do what we know best.  Retrieve.  Swim.  Sleep. Eat. Poop.  Repeat.   What a life we have!




Anything you can do I can do better......

 

I can do anything better than you.......

No you can't......

 

Yes I can!

Anything you can be I can be greater sooner or later I'm greater than you!



 





Except getting in trouble for jumping on the furniture....you are GREATER at that!

 



Until next time!
Woofs!
Murphy

 



 

Sir Hamish the Handful

Hi there!   It's me....Murphy!   
I guess you have been wondering what is happening with my little bother brother?! 
My little bother brother is growing like a weed (as you humans say) and sticks to me like Velcro.  whatever that stuff is

No matter where I go - Hamish goes.
If I'm chewing on my favorite bone - Hamish chews on my favorite bone.
If I'm getting a drink of water - Hamish sticks his little fluffy head in the water bowl and tries to get the water out of my mouth.
No matter where I nap - Hamish naps.
If I bark at Chipmunks - Hamish barks but in the opposite direction.  (yeah, he needs some work in that department)

As for toys Hamish prefers to have the one that I have in my mouth at the moment.   I'm guessing it's going to take a few more lessons for my little bother brother.  And like most younger siblings....when I do allow him to take the toy that I was once chewing on ....he then drops it and runs zoomies around me like he won the grand prize on the boardwalk!   I just sit there and watch him.   My humans tell me every day how much I have "grown up".    Pack Leaders eyes were leaking when she told me that I am such a good girl.  She said that I have been such an amazing big sister.  The perfect teacher for little Hamish and I am her girl.    I guess patience pays off.  

Now....when it comes to my tennis balls that's a different story.   Hamish the Handful is a good puppy pupil when it comes to reading my "language".   I share my glow ball with him but that's about it.  Wet soggy tennis balls are my ticket to retrieving like a pro.   Love Giver tells me that I would make a great outfielder!   Once the ball bounced off my little bother brothers fluffy butt and I caught it!

Hamish the Handful likes to play outside in our yard.   My humans put straw down because it was so muddy.  Not that we mind the mud.....but Pack Leader said she was going to pull her hair out if more mud gets in the house so I guess straw is better than watching a human pull her hair out.


But when it comes to the straw, Hamish the Handful likes to slide in it.  And then he does those zoomies around and around.  And he jumps up at...well....nothing actually.   So we think he has an imaginary friend that he plays with!   BOL!    He makes us all laugh that little bother brother of mine!



The day will come when Hamish will join my friends in the pack.   He will run and have fun with us.  Hamish will learn how to be a good friend and how to play with other big dogs.  But until that day comes for my little bother brother....I'll be the best playmate he can have.  I'll be his big sister every single day for the rest of our lives.   I'll protect him even if he does get a little bigger than me.   I'll teach him to swim.  I'll teach him to love the great outdoors.  but I think he already does   I'll teach my little bother brother the art of sneaking up on those Chipmunks and the right direction to bark at them.   I'll give my little bother brother my favorite chew toy if he must have it.   But not my soggy tennis balls...that's a big not!   I will love Sir Hamish the Handful even if he is a bother at times.   Because why would I want him any differently? 

                                                             Until next time,
                                                                    Woofs!
                                                                   Murphy

As you can see....when I'm napping my little bother brother wants to be right next to me.  If only he would stay still!

Hamish went to visit Samson's family.  And their friend from England was visiting too! 

Forever Human is very good at working with Hamish!

Hamish got to meet the Mayor of our community - that would be Ranger







 

He's here!

Hi!
It's me....Murphy!

Well the day finally came!!
I am a big sister to the cutest little bother brother!   My little bother brother has a strong Scottish name - Hamish.  Hamish is like some of the other great men of Scotland, you may know some of them.   Hamish Moore, a teacher and musician.  Or Hamish Kemp played on a rugby union team.
The one and only Hamish McHamish the famous "cat about town" lives in St. Andrews, Scotland.
But my Hamish is the one and only.  He's going to be the greatest little bother ever!   Did I say bother?  BOL!   I mean brother.    My humans are always correcting me on that little teeny mistake.

Hamish and I are from the same awesome Golden Glory family but we have a different dogmom and dogdad.   His dogmom is Ginger.  And his dogdad is Envy.    My humans are tweaking his full name but I'm sure it will be just as cool as mine!  

Hamish, my little bother brother came home Friday afternoon.  He had a long drive from Pennsylvania you may know the area "City of Brotherly Love"?!    I'm going to rename it "City of Botherly Love"!  My humans told me Hamish was a perfect traveler.   He slept most of the drive.  So by the time he arrived to our house I was taking a nap.  Auntie Robin stayed with me all day because she wanted some "girl time" with me.  We girls watched the Olympics because it was so rainy.   Auntie Robin talked to me about little Hamish and how I am going to be a great big sister. 
I was listening to Auntie Robin, but I wasn't quite sure what to think.   I'm going to have someone to share my life with.  My humans.  My friends.  My Auntie Robin and her family.  My Griffy?!

And then.....just like everyone told me.....I met the little ball of fur and shark teeth!   Except he wasn't exactly a little ball of fur and shark teeth - he was a rather chubby ball of fur and shark teeth!
And who was at the end of his leash?   My Love Giver!   I wasn't barking mad.  I wasn't jealous.  Because I didn't even really notice Hamish - I just noticed my Love Giver.   And then the scent of puppy breath and puppy stink hit me.  He was sitting in our driveway looking up at me.  Pack Leader was at the end of my leash.  of course.
I sniffed him.  He sniffed me.  Well he tried but his short legs couldn't get to my, well, you know.  After the introduction we went for a little stroll up and down the sidewalk.  Forever Human wasn't home from school yet.  She was with our sweet neighbors, but when they turned the corner everyone waved with excitement.
You know....because I was walking up and down the sidewalk.   BOL!

Hamish has been home for three days.  My humans say he is settling in nicely.   I say he follows me around.   My humans say he is really getting the hang of potty training.  I say he follows me around.
My humans say that he is going to be my best friend.   I say he follows me around.  
And you know what?    I'm his big sister and he's my chubby bother brother and he can follow me around!

Hamish has two sisters and four brothers.  Hamish had green painted on his tail and he was known as Bachman Pretzel from RR & Tails litter.   RR stands for Reading Railroad.  Wag your tail it is!  Just like the famous Reading Railroad you can buy in the game Monopoly!

*Ginger

*Envy

 

 

*Hamish

 

 

*He is! because we are.

 

Hamish likes his Westpaw bone

 

 

and of course Love Giver gets him this!

 

First morning with Forever Human. 

 

Forever Human sings him to sleep just like she did when I was a baby.

 

Auntie Robin lovin' on the chubster

 

And then this happened.  Forever Human telling Hamish she will love him forever!

 

we have something in common

Sir Hamish

 

 

Like I said....he follows me.  And I like it.

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more adventures with my little bother brother and me!
Something tells me you're going to be entertained!   BOL.

                                                            Until next time,
                                                                 Woofs!
                                                                Murphy

I have an announcement......

Hi!  It's me...Murphy!   And Happy New Year!!
I had such a great 2017 with my humans and my pack of friends I can't wait to see what 2018 brings for us all! 
And because this is our year....the year of the DOG....there's a little something I think I should share with you.


A few months ago my keen sense of hearing picked up on a lot of giggling in my house.   Love Giver and Pack Leader have been unpacking things from our move....but something big that I haven't used in a very long time.   My crate!   And the puppy divider is in my crate.   I know I'm not shrinking.   And I know I don't need to be in my crate because I'm such a good girl and I prefer to sleep on my giant bed or couch when Love Giver is around.   I have been a little confused.  Until now.


I'm going to be a big sister to a little ball of fluff and shark teeth next month.  He's already born but my humans will meet his litter and pick out "the one" to be part of our family in February.  My humans have been looking forward to being a two-dog family again.  And they really want me to be a big sister!   Pack Leader said he will have fun swimming with me and hiking and being a part of my pack of friends.   This little brother will share my humans and my friends!   Does this mean he has to come along on my dates with my Griffin?!    I should think not.  But Pack Leader said I must share my friends and that means Griffin too.   But she promised that I can still have special playdates with my Griffin.    

Of my sixty-two tennis balls he may have the two.


This little ball of fluff and shark teeth will love my favorite pediatrician, Dr. Bruzesse!   And the ladies who work at Caring Hands will love on him.  And it's okay if he pee's on the floor because that's what we do when we get excited for belly-rubs!
This little ball of fluff and shark teeth will love my our humans.  Especially Forever Human.   She will whisper in his ear sweet little things that will make him know he's safe and loved.  
This little ball of fluff and shark teeth will go to Puppy Kindergarten class.   And if when he graduates from Puppy Kindergarten I will tell all my friends!
This little ball of fluff and shark teeth will be featured on my Facebook page sometimes a lot. 

I promise to protect this little ball of fluff and shark teeth.  
I promise to love him and allow him to sleep on my giant bed while I sleep on the couch with my Love Giver.  
I promise to teach this little ball of fluff and shark teeth how to search for crumbs when Pack Leader doesn't know I'm in the kitchen.   But she does because I hear my name and that's when having "selective hearing" is important.  
I promise to teach this little ball of fluff and shark teeth how to bark at Chipmunks and Squirrels. 
And I promise to teach this little ball of fluff and shark teeth to enjoy car rides and greet the UPS man.  Oh, and will he ever love the UPS man!

Scholar is looking forward to meeting our new addition.   She wants to come home from college on the weekend fluff ball arrives.   She said puppy breath is the best!   BOL!
Scholar, Forever Human, Pack Leader and Love Giver have a name chosen for this little ball of fluff and shark teeth.  He will be christened as soon as he is picked out next month!  

Love Giver's Scottish tartan will be made into a collar for this little ball of fluff and shark teeth.  He will look like me without the rosette. 

I'm beginning to like this idea of being a big sister!  Why yes.  Yes I am!
Being a big sister is something to be proud of.   Being a big sister puts you on the top of the food chain.  Like being able to boss him around.   I'll be just like Athena!  

But most of all......being a big sister will be fun.    When our humans are working or shopping we will have one another for company.   And we can watch Animal Planet!   Pack Leader will play Bach for Puppies music so he can fall asleep and dream about chasing geese and squirrels.  Just like she did for me when I was a puppy.    Being a big sister will change my life no doubt.   But I will love him and protect him and sit on him he will be a part of us.   This little ball of fluff and shark teeth will be loved over the lake and back!

Until my little ball of fluff and shark teeth comes to live with me he will stay with his momma Ginger and her humans.  
This was my surprise to all of you!


I can not wait for my little brother! 


                                                   Until Next Time....
                                                      Woofs,  Murphy

One of these nine little chunky monkeys is my brother!




This is Ginger and her nine pups!






Photo credits:  Jen Raney-Johnson, Arlene Quinn, Kim Tuke

 

 

 

Let Me Count the Ways

Hi!  It's me....Murphy!

I'm barking with excitement because not only did I celebrate my second birthday after we celebrated Thanksgiving.....but Christmas is everywhere!   In my house.  Around my neighborhood and even my favorite Pediatricians [vet] office!  

I'm sure many of you know my Griffin.   Griffin is my boyfriend.   I have a lot of boys that are my friends.....but Griffin has my whole heart!   My humans told me that in my fan mail [I don't know what that means but I was excited!] a human asked if Griffin and I were brother and sister.   Pack Leader answered that though we look very much like brother and sister....we are not related.   Griffin and I have been besties ever since we were fluffanutters!    Griffin has a birthday coming up on Christmas day!!    He will turn two...just like me!

Griffin loves to show off his stack!   Oh, and his new Tartan collar with matching bowtie!


 

When Griffin and I have playdates we like to relax side by side.   Sometimes Griffin chases me when I am retrieving the tennis ball.   And when he gets the ball he runs big circles around and around and super fast!    But then he walks over to me and gently gives me the ball.   Or I just take it right out of his mouth.

Other times Griffin doesn't chase me he waits until the ball drops on the ground and with one swoop he grabs the ball and flops down on the ground.  Usually on his back.   He likes to show off!    I walk over to him and wait patiently [not always] for him to give me the ball.   Or I just take it right out of his mouth.

We are like peas and carrots.   I'm so happy when we have playdates that my humans need to spell his name because whenever I hear GRIFFIN.....I go barking crazy!     Athena still supervises our playdates like any big sister would do for her little brother.   But at times Athena finds a stick or pinecone to play with or chew on and that's when Griffin and I find the mistletoe!

I can't count on my two front paws including my two back paws how much I love my Griffin!    I hope his humans never ever move away from the DC metro area.   It would break my Golden heart.



Trying to be patient.

Trying.......

Step #1.  Ask sweetly for the ball   Step #2. Give him a second chance.   Step #3. Take the ball.

Always settle a barkument with a little love.

Or a special birthday cake!

 

Let me count the ways.......   oh, Griffin!   
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Griffin and me!



She's Golden

Hi it's me.....Murphy!   It has been a long time since I've posted on my blog.   But my Forever Human is going to post her writing assignment.   This post is about someone very special.   This special human gets two paws up from me!!  




   Okay, I'm going to write about someone who isn't considered "famous" but is treasured by many people. She has done many amazing things in her life that make a difference in the world. Consider her an Angel of the dog world. Jessie Pickard. Lets first talk about Jessie's life. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Dan. Jessie owns three wonderful, cuddly, fluffy, Golden Retrievers! We will get to them later. Now, when she was growing up she loved (and owned) many special dogs. A little heart-warming note from her, and I quote "My family always had dogs as I was growing up but the first one I ever adopted on my own was when I was in college, I was about 20 years old. She was an 11 month old Golden Retriever named Annie. She will always be my heart dog and is the reason I started direct rescue." Aww, how sweet!  Turns out Jessie  had fostered more than 30 dogs before Annie turned 17!!

    She started fostering dogs for a association called Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue (SGGR) when she lived in Oklahoma, right after she adopted Annie in 1995. When she moved to Maryland in 1999, she began working with Golden Retriever Rescue and Training (GRREAT). Jessie became their adoption coordinator that same year, so she was their coordinator for about 18 years. I asked Jessie if she has help working with dogs with disabilities (another great thing she does, wow :D). She told me there is a lot of people who care, and that she works with several of them, including Dan (her husband). Jessie also works with many special vets, such as: chiropractors, acupuncturists, and ophthalmologists. They also have a "Vet Tech" who helps take care of the pets mid-day. As me and Murphy know Jessie coordinates the Swim Club where dogs come out to swim and dive.   

  So, I bet you were waiting to hear about her dogs, yeah I'm exited to write about them.   She has 3 Golden poofs..... Molly, Stevie, and my love bug Odie. Molly is a little stinker, if you can quickly grab her favorite blue or pink swim bumper, consider yourself lucky. Molly is paralyzed in her two back legs, but that doesn't stop the dog version of sonic. Molly fights through her leg issue like a champ, as does Jessie taking care of her. She's also a model, OO LA LA! Then there's Stevie, my nickname for her "Boop." Stevie is a cute, bubbly, Golden. She is blind, but that doesn't take away from her loving personality or her ability to swim!  Then there's my love bug, Odie. He is a handsome red-gold Golden. With a spunky personality.  He was surrendered by previous owners.  Odie couldn't be in a better home with the Pickard's.   Odie despises cats, I mean like really dislikes cats. But he loves me.   (insert smile) 

  Jessie is my inspiration.... but who is hers? Well, she said her inspiration has always been her mother. I quote "Her worth ethic combined with her kindness and fun-loving personality are how I want to live my life." You can check that off your bucket list Jessie, you turned out to be exactly that!  But like me, she also gets inspired by the small acts of kindness other people show.

  A Genie asked Jessie if she had one wish....what would that wish be?! (me being the Genie of course)  Jessie's Wish: That people would act the same way they talk.  I feel the same way. Here's what she told me "It's easy to say you're outraged by cruelty, or feel pity for a hurt or neglected animal or praise that someone volunteers, but I wish someone would actually do something about it."  Just so you know, there are so, so, many ways to help donate, volunteer, participate or be an advocate. 

 Of course, like many people, she despises seeing cruelty, neglect, or willful ignorance. The thing about her job is she has to push through her emotions, because her job is to stop these things! She says the best parts of her job are "seeing the light and happiness in a rescued dog's eyes and being a part of the reason they are thriving, especially those dogs that have bigger challenges than most." Another reason is her being a part of a community of amazing people. Basically everyone who works with her!
 
  Well, what did we learn today? I told you all about someone who I admire, but why? Humans often look up to people who have special talents and skills. But, when you think about it, some people are doing things that impact the world, and they aren't acknowledge enough. I feel like that's not fair, and we should appreciate people like Jessie. Tell Murphy if you want to see more posts like this one and have a pawesome day.  ~Forever Human

Isn't Odie so handsome in his blue swim towel turtleneck!

Miss Molly rolling in the grass after swim club!

Here I am with Jessie and Stevie!
 

What's been doggone going on?!

Hello!   It's me....Murphy!   
I know it's been a very long time - but in dog words it's been so doggone long since I posted in my blog.  Well, I don't have any thumbs to type so I must wait for a certain human to type for me.   And she's been busy.  That's what she tells me.

I have been busy too!    Ever since summer I have been enjoying time with my friends at our weekly puppy playdates and I even met a new little friend.  Her name is Riley!   She's super cute and my humans are doggone crazy about her!
Riley is a special blend of breeds and has the biggest personality.   I believe one day Riley will wear a tiara because she's so cute and friendly!  

I've been swimming as often as I can drag my humans to the water!    Actually my humans love swimming, but they can't dock dive like I can!    That's my new addiction.   If there's a bumper and water deep enough for me to jump into - I will focus on nothing else.    Eye of the tiger, baby....eye of the tiger!


My Love Giver has been working on his training so he can train me.  Pack Leader is learning the rules too, but this is Love Giver and my sport.   He says it's nothing like playing football....but I don't know about that....I just know he throws the bumper far and I can jump out and retrieve it.    Dock Diving is the best thing next to eating something you're not suppose to eat!   INVIGERATING!   EXCITING!!   A MAD BARKING TIME!!!

I still go to Swim Club on Sunday's with my other friends and of course my love Griffin comes too!   Swim Club is a lot of fun and very good exercise for me.   It keeps me in good condition. And it wears me out.   That's what my humans tell me anyway.   All I know is....it's water....water and more water fun for me!!


We moved to a new house.  It's not far from my other territory and I still have the same great walking trails to sniff out squirrels.  I still watch the big giant gray birds fly in the air - the ones that make a lot of noise and carry humans on them.   I'll never get tired of watching an Air Bus fly over the rooftop.   And at our new house we have a trail that connects from our backyard.  And guess what I discovered?!    Chipmunks!   Lots and lots of those chubby little squeaky critters that run around scampering something from the ground and stuffing their cheeks.  I'm amazed at how much they can fit in those little mouths!   I tried stuffing a sock, actually two socks in my mouth to see what if was like to be a chipmunk and it wasn't the most comfortable feeling.  I'd rather stuff a tennis ball in my mouth to be honest with you.

Forever Human is at a new school this year and she is very busy with homework and school activities.   But she still makes our special time together as she whispers in my ear "I'll love you forever Murphy"....and I'll love her forever.  <3


Pack Leader is planning on continuing my training for therapy.  She says it's important to continue learning, just like humans do.   If that's the case she better learn how to throw a bumper farther than she does now!   My dogness I'm a water warrior not a leisurely synchronized princess!   

Happy Autumn to all my four legged friends!   As they say at Swim Club....release the hounds!!!!


                                                   Until next time,
                                                         Woofs,
                                                        Murphy

*Me and my Griffy*

 

 

*This is my new friend Riley* 

*Fun at the vineyard dock*

 

 

                                                          I'm somewhere in there!