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!
   

Dear Sassy Cat

Dear Sassy Cat,

I have been looking for you around the house.  I watched the humans remove your litter box and your fancy food dishes.  I'm very confused.   Forever Human has been sad.  Her eyes are leaking - a lot.   I sit with her as she hides her face in my fur.   I'm very confused.   Pack Leader has been quiet.   Love Giver has been quiet.  But sometimes I hear them whispering.   I recognize your name.  Sassy Cat.

I know I haven't always been nice.   I sat on you.   I tried to eat your fancy salmon kibble.   I also bothered you while you were sleeping on your favorite side of the couch.   I barked at you to wake up and play with me.   But I only did that once because I saw your sharp fangs and Pack Leader said "NO!".    

I'm very confused.

In the mornings I wait for you to tell me it's time for breakfast.
In the afternoon I wait for you to tell me it's time for lunch.
In the evening I wait for you to get your nighttime snack - but I can't find you.

After Pack Leader takes me out to potty you were always waiting at the top of the steps for me.
I can't find you.

You were getting older.   You were not feeling well.

I'm a dog and I don't understand what happened.  So I just sit and listen to our humans tell me you went over the Rainbow Bridge.      But I still look for you.

I don't know when I'll stop looking around the house for you.

I'm very confused.

All I know is that I miss you very much.

Murphy

Sassy Cat

My Nose Knows

Hi there!   It's me......Murphy!    It has been forever since I've posted on my adventures!   
I hope you all remember me!


My nose works overtime.  This is what I hear a lot.    My humans, other humans, my obedience trainer, my neighbor, even those nice humans at my pediatricians office say that my nose never stops working!       My humans were given information to read and it has to do with dogs noses.   Tracking.  I have no idea what tracking is......but Pack Leader told Love Giver my nose goes on and on when we are walking on the trail.   I don't know what my nose knows.  But I do know this.....my nose knows there is usually something interesting or smelly or both!      Apparently, we Retrievers use our noses overtime!
I'm not going to do any tracking, but my nose does lead me to some things I'm not suppose to investigate.    Like Skunk odor.   My, oh, my that smell is fabuliciously interesting!    Pack Leader tells me to "leave it"  (a lot) because she doesn't want us to tangle with a Skunk.    I don't think tangling is what I would do.....I just want to get a closer look smell at whatever a Skunk leaves behind.   Behind.   BOL!

I'm sixteen months.    And for the first time EVER my nose got me in big trouble!      Pack Leader was cooking chicken.    And I was quietly relaxing on my cozy big dog bed.     Not for cats.   Dogs only.     But something caught my noses attention.    Something very mouth-watering.   Unlike the odor that comes from Skunk.....this scent was full of herbs and juices.   I remembered this smell once before.    When we were having Easter lunch at Deep Creek Lake.    A Chef at Black Bear Tavern & Restaurant was grilling something with the same smell.    I wasn't permitted to have any of the smell-good-whatever, but my humans were eating it.  And they were smiling, so I knew it had to be good.          And then it happened.    Pack Leader walked from the deck to the kitchen and sat a large white plate on the table.    She forgot to tell me to "leave it", so I just thought it wasn't off limits.      My nose began to sniff and take in the wonderful unlike skunk scent.   Large strands of drool came from my mouth.    I couldn't resist anymore.    I went in for the kill.   Or should I say, I went in for the retrieve.   I rarely hear Pack Leader scream.   Her scream sounded as if the stinky Skunk was visiting us in the kitchen!    
And there I was.    A rather large chicken breast sticking from my mouth.    Drool and Jamaican Jerk blended together.    I didn't know if I should just swallow the whole piece of chicken or to drop it and give her the look of guilt.   You know, the cute one.   The look you give when you just ate the top off a flip-flop.    You know it's wrong to sit on Sassy Cat but you do it anyway and then give the look.  
This time.....the look didn't work.   Plus I had the slimy chicken in my mouth while I was cornered.   Oh, bother.    I tried.   

Needless to say I drank a lot of water that night.  Jamaican Jerk is salty and very spicy.      I searched for Forever Human to love on me and tell me everyone makes mistakes.          Nah, I knew exactly what my nose wanted!      I broke the rules.    

Sometimes when Pack Leader is in the kitchen and I'm following her,  she will give me that look.   I believe she's using her energy to say "Jamaican Jerk".     I turn my head in shame.    BOL!    Do you actually believe that?!        I turn away waiting for her to FORGET again!  

Rule #101 for human:   No plates unsupervised.
Rule #101 for dog:        Lay low.


I had such a great time at Deep Creek Lake!    We spent spring break there and it was the best lake vacation I have ever had!     The weather was perfect, the water was mine all mine and Forever Human was home from school for eight great days!   

My life.

With Love Giver.

Me and Forever Human.

Dock Diving break.

Cozy Fireside Chat.

I missed my friends back home.   It was time for a puppy play date!

 

We've been like peas&carrots since I was just 8 weeks old. 

But this.....I'm not having it!   Oh, Sassy Cat!!

Until next time!

Woofs,

Murphy

Meet PorkChop ~ featured pet friend

Meet PorkChop.    No...PorkChop isn't made of pork!    PorkChop  is an Olde English Bulldogge.  Olde English Bulldogge's are courageous, strong and loving.  This loving Bulldogge lives in the Lone Star state with his humans.    Though PorkChop is very special to each one of his humans, he's greatly important to one of his little humans.   PorkChop is her service dog.   If she is having a rough moment....PorkChop knows exactly what to do as a service dog. It takes a lot of work to become a certified service dog, and we are all so proud of PorkChop!    PorkChop is one pretty amazing dog!  Not to mention very handsome!      

Isn't this just the sweetest?!

It's obvious PorkChop has a silly side too!   Oh, PorkChop!

When PorkChop has free time,  he enjoys chewing his Himalayan chews, playing fetch, and go on work trips.   PorkChop celebrated his birthday at a cool place called Buc-ee's!  He even got a beaver stuffie!     His momma human tells me that his favorite stuffies are super small stuffed animals.   And that PorkChop takes very good care not to destroy his stuffies.    That makes me feel bad because I decapitate all my stuffies heads.   Good boy PorkChop!   Pack Leader is really impressed!

PorkChop and his little humans.   Not only is PorkChop's family beautiful, they are a perfect fit together.    PorkChop has his humans - and they have him to love unconditionally.  Isn't wonderful to have that kind of bond with your furfriend?!

I never met PorkChop....yet.  Forever Human and PorkChop's little humans are pen-pals!  So that makes me PorkChop's furfriend too!          Maybe one of these days I may need to make a trip to Texas and get a big kiss from PorkChop!    BOL!    Keep up the good work PorkChop!!    

Follow PorkChop on his Facebook page:     Unofficial: PorkChop     

*Autism Speaks   autismspeaks.org    

*Get involved National Autism Awareness       autism-society.org