Happy Birthday Big Murph!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My "big guy" turned four yesterday.  I kept thinking all day about the amazing journey he has taken us on....yes, quite a "ride".  I remember getting the "DRC call" telling us that he had been surrendered by his owners at 11 weeks. Karen and Jacquie knew that I had tried to adopt another "poodle mix" puppy from our local rescue but the dog was placed with a different family.  I was heartbroken...I had even bought a little pink puppy sweater.  It was a Friday night that the call came.  It was a "no brainer" except for the fact that he wasn't a mini...the Vet said he would be a medium.  Hmmmm.....a medium....don't think so.  We have some restrictions here at our condo complex, so even a medium was a bit of a stretch.  Well I asked DH and when he heard the puppy's name was Murphy, it was a definite YES....he belonged with us.

I fell so in love with this goofy puppy.  He had a few little issues, but I kept thinking he would just grow out of them.  On his first Vet visit he bit me, and she told me to get a really strong trainer, because he was going to need it.  I thought that was a total overreaction, but I did "enroll" him in a puppy class.  He did great in class and I thought he was going to be just fine....and he kept growing and growing. 

Here he is at this "baby stage".  Can you tell how in love I am????

He was absolutely adorable....he still is.   He started to show signs of being reactive, and so I really stepped up the training.  I went through three trainers and several "methods" during this stage.  He just kept getting worse.  There was the day when we were walking and he saw another dog that he didn't like and he dragged me on my stomach down the bike path.  My arms were all cut up.  Shortly after that he tried to attack a random jogger.  That's when I knew we needed a huge change and I talked to the Vet about trainers.  She recommended Ben, and he's worked with us ever since.  I've learned so much about myself through this training journey and Murph and I have developed a very special relationship.  He is totally bonded to me as I am to him.  I know when he's thinking before he does.  I can read his body language and know what he's feeling and how he will react.   He has made huge progress, but he still has issues and continues to need constant reinforcement.  When I'm not with him he reverts to old behaviors.  Last week with DH he jumped the fence of our condo dog park to chase a maintenance worker.   But just the weekend before that we had the grandkids here and he was amazing with them....calm and sweet and happy.  Just a year ago I would not have been able to trust him around the kids.  So there are ups and downs and there is still lots of work to do.  But he is SO worth it. 

So as I think of the past four years, I know that DH was right....he was meant for us (who else would have him..LOL).  Of course I do live in fear that at some point he will do something serious and we could lose him.  That incident with the condo worker could have been a disaster.  As it turns out he wanted to chase him and bark but he did not even try to bite him.  So I'm sticking with this guy....and we will keep training him and showing him that he's safe and loved.  Even Guinness has learned to love Murph which is amazing considering the way his big brother harasses him.  Happy Birthday  Murphy...I love you SO MUCH big guy!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Jane, This brought tears to my eyes.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG MURPH!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Pat, Joanne, Laurie, Janie, Kyoki, Dee and Cheryl....thanks for the B-Day wishes and for taking the "journey" along with us. 

[Pat and Traveler]

Happy birthday, Big Murph!  Love the picture of Baby Murph and mom.  Your journey has been a fascinating one, and I'm so glad you shared it with us.  I know I'm just one of many who feel we have a personal stake in how Murphy and you do from day to day.  Hearing about the recent chase of the maintenance worker shows that the journey continues. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Happy 4th Birthday Murphy.  I remember it like it was just yesterday! 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Happy Birthday, Murphy. Jane, I really do think the right dog found you. Murphy got so lucky when Dave and you adopted him. You have stuck by him through everything and many people would not have done the same. You are and forever will be my training hero.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Happy Birthday sweet Murphy! You and your Mom are such an inspiration when it comes to training. I hope you get an extra long walk and have the best day!

[Kyoko]

Happy Birthday, Murphy!! I do believe that he was meant for you...... or you were meant for him!!!

Enjoy your birthday!!!

[Dee & Chloe]

Happy 4th Birthday Murphy! I have read about your "issues" and you have come a long way due to the love  and commitment from your loving family. Hope you have a wonderful day!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Happy Birthday Murphy!  You are one awesomely adorable guy and I think God gave you the best present ever when he gave you such a special Mom and Dad! Oops, and little brother, Guinness.  Someday your mom needs to write a book about the misadventures and great joys of having you in her life :) Thanks for helping me train Finn (he's a work in progress too). Love hearing that you enjoyed being with the grandkids - that's a milestone.  Have a great day big guy!   

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thank you Donna.....although some days I love him more "unconditionally" than others.

Thanks, Ann.  I so loved meeting Oliver and Rosie!  They are both so sweet and well behaved....you've done a wonderful job with them. I can't wait to tell Ben...LOL.   It was special spending time with you, Bill and the "kids"....Tim had such a great time and can't wait to see David again.  You know better than anyone about "unconditional" love.