Guest Becki Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 (edited) Just before we were married, in May of 1995, we received a call from a family about their dog. Due to their current circumstances, they could no longer keep him. They wanted to know if we would be interested in bringing him in to our home. That night, we went from a two dog family to a three dog family. Murphy most enjoyed lying on the deck and in the sun. He loved back scritches and ear rubs. Once we bought the camper, and brought him with us, his greatest love was revealed. There was nothing in this world he enjoyed more than camping. I don’t know if it was the roasted hot dogs, being out in the great outdoors during the day, or being in close quarters with his entire pack in the evenings, but camping was his thing. The floor space under the table will feel vastly empty next year, without him curled in a ball under it, like he has been for meals, movies and board games since we started camping. Three and a half years ago, Murphy was diagnosed with doggie dementia. The vet figured he had four to six months to live. Apparently, the vet didn’t know our Murphy quite so well. He has had his ups and downs in health, but he has always bounced back. He faded rapidly in August of 2006. We decided to take Murphy, and only Murphy, on our Labor Day camping weekend. We figured we would have to make the decision to put him to sleep when we came home. That weekend, however, invigorated his spirit. For another year, he continued doing well, slowing down, but still doing well, in his own way. In mid-September, 2007, we made an appointment at the vet for a quality of life assessment. At that time, we learned that the condition he has dealt with for more than three years was most likely Cushing’s Disease, and not just doggie dementia. His vet advised the time from diagnosis to death was typically two to three years. She said he had a strong heart and a sprightly spirit. She didn’t see a reason for him to be euthanized yet and told me we would know when the time came. Saturday, Murphy let us know he was tired and ready to rest. We took him back to the camper, for one last weekend of camping. Even in the rainy weather, he enjoyed wandering around our area, but it was obvious he was so very tired. This afternoon, at 3:30, Dr. Bauman released him from his pain and set him free to the Bridge. Murph is lovingly survived by his people, Dave, Becki, Christian and Carter, special friend Pat, special Aunt Jennifer, and his pack: McTavish, Max, Axel, Indie, Pork Chop, Velcro, Maggie, Gabbie and Phillip. Waiting to meet him at the Bridge were Brandy, JaJa and the Littles Edited October 15, 2007 by Becki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Sending my sympathy Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jeannejj Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I am so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, Murphy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Goodbye Murphy. Forever a happy camper. How kind of you to give him one last camping trip. Quote NoAh the podenco orito, Rita the podenco maneta, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundlov Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Murphy had a wonderful life with you. Bless you gor giving him the extra time. Quote Mary in Houston Everyone has a photographic memory, but not everyone has film. LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I'm sorry Becki Quote Kari and the pups.Run free sweet Hana 9/21/08-9/12/10. Missing Sparks with every breath.Passion 10/16/02-5/25/17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighsayer Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I'm so sorry. How great that he had that last camping trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I'm crying with you over the loss of your precious angel. You and your family will be in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I am so sorry. Run free sweetheart...you are among so many Angel friends. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aggie94 Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I'm sorry, Becki. He did have a wonderful life with you, and I'm sure that's no consolation at all. Hugs to all your family. Godspeed, Murphy. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tenderhearts Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Becki, I am so sorry! I always smiled when I saw him on your siggy pic! May God hold your aching hearts in his hands :grouphug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Snowy8 Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Thank you for the very sweet story... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I'm sorry. I hope Murphy has found some fellow campers. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13), Grey Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devotion Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 what a beautiful tribute. What a life you had together. Cherish the memories and always hold them tight. Quote Pam with greys Avril, Dalton & Zeus & Diddy the dachshund & Miss Buzz the kitty Devotion, Jingle Bells, Rocky, Hans, Harbor, Lennon, NoLa, Scooter, Naomi and Scout at the bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest VaGreymom Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I am so very sorry. Run Free Sweetie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I am so sorry Godspeed Murphy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guinness_the_greyt Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I'm so sorry! I'm glad he was able to have one last camping trip.... Godspeed Murphy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PetersMom Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Im so very sorry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 My sympathy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SYMBASMOMMY Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I am so very sorry....Godspeed dear Murphy.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Emma1 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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