Same Exuberance -- Different Season

Running through the grass remains one of Murphy's greatest pleasures, be it green or brown. A stick only makes it better.

Is it an Ocean?

For Jeff

Just remember this:

And this:And all will be well.

Murphy's a Bad Speller

Murphy made a special sign, since it seems to be birthday season again.

But he spelled Birthday wrong. So he decided to chew up the sign.

Then he realized there was more fun to be had elsewhere.

Like his rope!

Oh well. Happy Birtday!

Murphy's Got Skills

Murphy has amazing agility. Watching him run through the woods is a treat -- he bounds and hops and sometimes all four feet come off the ground. He's sleek, fast, and sure footed.

So I've been thinking about agility training so he can do agility courses. This past weekend there was a little amateur agility course set up -- so we took Murphy to see how he like it. He was so much more skilled than other dogs (and I'm not just bragging because he's my dog). He had NO problem with any of the little obstacles -- oh, except he wanted to stop and chew on the cloth tunnel. His main problem was not getting distracted by the other dogs. He just wanted to play with them, that's all.

Here's a movie of Jeff running Murphy through the course:



This little course was set up at the National XTERRA Championships (an off-road triathlon). So we also let Murphy show off some of his ball-chasing skills.

Murphy For President!

Only Murphy can effect REAL change in Washington!

Check it out:

Murphy for President!


(all campaign contributions can be made in the form of tennis balls)

Murphy: Bear Hunter

So, a couple of nights ago around 12 am, Murphy started to bark and growl and patrol the front room, concentrating on the back of the house. He has done this a couple of times before, but we were never able to figure out why until now. See the double set of green eyes in the tree? That's right, bear cubs. We had seen this pair with mama out in the woods a couple of times, but never had the camera.

The cubs were making these crazy sounds, almost like talking. Their claws made a sound like the crushing of aluminum cans on the tree bark, so Kelly and I though it might be a person looking for cans and maybe a little altered. So we grab the flashlight and start looking around. Nothing. Head back in and seconds latter, same noises, Murphy barking - What the Hell?!!

Then Kelly spots them with the light - "the babies!" she cries out. "The babies? WHERE THE HELL IS MOM?????!!!!" was my response. I quickly found the camera and got some shots off, then we headed back inside. Mom never was spotted and the cubs climbed down about five minutes latter and were gone.



We credit Murphy going Guard Dog for the cubs heading up the tree. When we last spotted mom, she was injured, so we are hoping that the cubs were sent up the tree by mom and are not on their own.

Here's old footage of Murphy's guard dog behavior.

Backcountry Adventures with Murphy

This was Murphy's first real camping trip -- no campground, no other people, no other cars, and so -- no leash. He had complete freedom for two days. He kept us safe from bears and coyotes. And he had a great time.

The first thing he did was help with digging out a new fire pit.

The game is: drop the ball in the fire pit, bury it, dig to get it out, dig some more, -- repeat.
































From morning till night he was in constant motion. I've never seen him more worn out.

Notice how he blends in with the dirt? That's because he'd been rolling in it for hours.

We were close by Bear Lake on the west side of the Tahoe Basin summit. Here he displays his water skills -- jumping, swimming, finding the ball. It's all about the ball.



The first day was all about swimming -- first in Bear Lake, then on to Miller Lake where Murphy chased a dragonfly for hours. When we got back around 4:00 -- he crashed out for a good three hours.

Next day was on to Ellis Peak -- at 8700' one of the tallest around. The view from the top was SPECTACULAR. The entire trail was three miles (so six miles out and back). I think Murphy's total distance was more around ten miles. He smelled every rock, peed on every tree, and chased every squirrel.



Although more fit for hiking, we decided to try it with bikes. Not so easy. But it was faster than all walking. As it worked out, we finished about half an hour before sunset. Wouldn't have done that if we'd been on foot.


Now that Murphy's old enough to come when we call (or maybe he's just decided he likes us enough to stick around) I think there will be much more camping to come.

Murphy Dog.

Something to do with Murphy

Tall grass has always been Murphy's favorite.



The endless fun and boundless optimism of a dog is so refreshing.

Nothing to do with Murphy.

This has nothing to do with Murphy. This is a dead cow on the side of a dirt road in Nevada. The little calf was nursing off his dead mother. Gross. When we came upon this scene, Jeff had the idea that this was just how cow's nursed. He didn't understand that the cow was dead.

Back and Black

Murphy's better than ever. Still a puppy, still really cute, still really busy.


It's summer, though, and Murphy is very temperature sensitive. This hot weather is hard on him -- he's hot.

So when we take him biking, or hiking, or anything -- we always look for water for him to swim in. If there's no water, we use water bottles (or hydro packs) to get him wet.

Then he rolls in the dirt.

Snip and Chip

Murphy's in the hospital right now getting his testicles removed and a chip implanted under his skin. How intrusive. The indignity.

Ever since picking him up out of that parking lot I've known he would be neutered one day. It's the right thing to do. It's the only way to go. I did not expect how difficult it would be for me.

I worry that the entire experience of being in the hospital (the sedation, the scary lights, the bad smells) will traumatize him. I wanted to cry when we brought him to the vet and he was so happy and curious. He went behind the counter to see the vet tech, wagging his tale, sniffing her, wanting to see what she was doing. He happily trotted off with her into the back room. I just thought, "Oh god, Murphy. I'm so sorry."

Then I also worry that the removal of his testicles and the accompanying testosterone will traumatize him. Will he feel different? Will he miss his testosterone? Will other dogs beat up on him now that he doesn't have it? Worse --will it change his personality. I love him just the way he is -- I don't want him changed (except the bit about him digging the yard up all over... and maybe his crazy screaming bark).

Truth be told -- I am a nervous wreck. I had to concentrate on breathing at the vet so I wouldn't have a break down and start ranting (I think they've had enough of that from me). My stomach feels sick. What am I doing to this incredible little dog? Will he be better for it? Will he survive? Will he be traumatized for life? I take comfort from the many people I have asked about their own dogs and the fact that they all made it through, with no loss of personality or love.

Raising up this puppy is teaching me many things. I know that I am overly anxious about everything Murphy related. I check to make sure he's breathing every night (what if he just suffocated in his sleep?). Worrying about his happiness and well-being is just about driving me out of my mind. I really need to relax or I think I'm going to have a breakdown. If this is how I act with a dog -- I cannot imaging a human.

For now -- I'll stick with Murphy. I love him. Even with his crazy screaming bark (which I hope doesn't change).

Snow King

Running Through the Snow

This past winter we got some great snow in the mountains. Murphy was born for snow. Here he realizes that the easiest way to get around is wait for Jeff to punch a trail in -- then run really fast through it.

Randoms

Not every photo has a theme. But they're still good and worth seeing.

Baby in a backpack.

This didn't go so well.

Murphy's Pub.

He looks like he's posing.

At the tender age of 10 weeks.




Murphy and Reno. BFFs.

The Island of Dead Toys

Remember this?


And this?


Oh -- and Giraffe?



Murphy has loved his toys to death.


The ball burst at the seams. The bone exploded. The wubba (red thing with a squeaker) was decapitated.


Giraffe lost his tail.


Seal is missing a flipper. Red guy's head is falling out (and Jeff has sewn him up several times already).


And -- oh dear god -- what has happened to Giraffe's HEAD?


So now they are being sent to the Island of Dead Toys (a.k.a the landfill). I hope the toy gods forgive us!

Saying goodbye is hard to do.


Now Murphy is on to new toys -- like balls, balls, squeaky balls, and his KONG!

Puppy Love

Jenga is that special girl -- quite a looker, sweet as can be, and just a little bit older!

It's puppy love.

They are such an attractive couple.





They love to roll around in the snow.



And bask in the sunlight.



And now Jenga's a movie star!