Murphy... Everything is a toy to him, so we give him lots of things to play with – old socks, old towels, disposable old stuffed animals, and even some old carpet remnants! He’s not assertive or aggressive at all. He’s wonderfully gentle in everything he does. His most remarkable feature has to be seen to be understood; he has a ridge, like a frontward cowlick, of fur that runs right up the center of his nose between his eyes. It’s the coolest look – the kind of unusual feature that sets off true beauty, like Cindy Crawford’s beauty spot!

Murphy came to us direct from Austin’s Town Lake Animal Shelter. He had been neutered the day we got him so he wasn’t very interested in much activity. As our 25th foster dog, we understood his problem, and so did our “home boy Golden, Sam” who welcomed him into the house. After a few days the two of them were playing and having fun. Murphy was interested in the three cats in our house, but left them alone when they let him know who’s in charge. Murphy still shows interest, but he hasn’t ever chased the cats, and they leave each other mostly alone. Sometimes there’s nose sniffing going on, but nothing more.

Murphy loves kids, as we have seen on our walks in the neighborhood. He’s particularly gentle in his actions with them although he will jump up on them if not watched carefully. But he is clearly drawn to them, (and vice versa). He walks very well on a leash – light as a feather – and even has gotten used to stopping at corners to wait to be told its okay to cross. He’s curious about other dogs and will pull towards them and to outside cats, but nothing unexpected. He likes going out to the end of the driveway in the morning to bring the paper in, and only expects a dog cookie and praise as a reward. He is very motivated by both the praise and the cookie. We haven’t taken him swimming yet, but he got into a hidden pond on a walk in the woods and showed that he loves the water.

Murphy was not fully housebroken when we got him ten days ago but after consistently praising him for doing his “business” outside and watching him carefully to avoid inside potty mistakes. He has been perfect. He now goes to the back door and scratches softly if he needs to go out. He’s a very quick learner. We can’t imagine anyone not wanting him. Murphy cowers a bit if a hand is raised near him with a stick or brush or newspaper in it. He must have been beaten or hit with something, so his new family should be especially loving with him.

He likes to put his feet up on your lap and will quickly follow with the rest of his body if allowed. He also likes to sneak into our king-size bed, but when we let him know his place on the floor he gets down and finds a comfortable spot near Sam and usually sleeps through the night in our bedroom. He will go into the crate when we leave the house during the day, but the last few days we left the two dogs closed up in the den without any problems. (Although one day we returned to find some junk mail in shreds on the floor. Maybe he’s a critic!)

Murphy will be a great addition to any family. Like any young dog he will need some more training, but he is smart and just wants to be loved.

 

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