Welcome to For the Love of Dogs

I love dogs. Young dogs, old dogs, quirky and lazy dogs. I love ornery dogs that give me the devil face (a grin showing all their pearly whites) when I greet them and big push over dogs that roll over on their backs when you enter their homes. It doesn't matter to me how they look or behave. I see them as individuals that express themselves in as many different ways as humans do. I just love dogs. I bet if you're reading this blog, you do too. The relationships I've had with dogs have brought me deep joy and happiness. I've been blessed with three dogs in my life that I've gotten to love into their old age. Even when they grew tired and weary and turned into something like babies that I cared for I never wavered with my love. My compassion and love just grew more intense until their final days. How about you? Do you have a dog that words can't express how you really feel about them? On this blog I'll spotlight our dogs and stories about their lives with you. I hope to photograph and spotlight your dog one day but for now I'll begin with my own. Above is a picture of Murphy. She was my last dog. I just lost her to old age at in April. She was one month from turning 15. And oh how I loved her...

Murphy Sue was a month from turning 15 when she died and she had most definitely turned into a snuggle bunny those last years. She had three or more blankets in her nest and would bury herself in them to nap. Sometimes she couldn't find her way out and I would find her in duress. I would uncover her and a look of joy would come across her face. She had been found!  The only thing that got her out of her nest was....dinner or Cherrios. Yep, Cherrios! She loved to chase them. It was her only form of exercise the last year of her life. And you wouldn't believe how that old wiennie dog could move when she was chasing them! She looked more like four when the game was on. When she was younger I would take her on Wiff-n-Sniffs - slow walks up to the stop sign and back. We never went any place fast but took the time to enjoy every leaf or pole or porker (there's a pig that lives on my street - I'm serious) along the way. When Murphy slowed down in her old age, I did too. Those were quiet moments on warm spring afternoons that brought us both contentment. When she was younger she would sleep on the back of the couch and I was always afraid that she would roll off and hurt herself during her nap. She never did. How did she do that? She also loved to snuggle in bed at night. I admit it. She was little and cold! In the morning when Eric and I would wake up we'd be hanging on in our sleep to the edges of the bed. Why? Because Murphy turned sideways in the bed and stretched out! We moved over in our sleep so we wouldn't roll over on her! Mmhmmmm...she trained us well. Oh she was a funny thing. I never left the house without leaving the tv on for company. She watched Animal Planet or sometimes I'd put on a movie that I thought was appropriate for her (teee heee). I once left the tv on FearNet accidentally and boy did she become a bear! No more FearNet! I miss her so. Her last day was a very good day. It ended like it should have. Even in my pain I knew it was a gift. See, Murphy was not always mine. She belonged to a friend who after a virus attacked her spinal cord was left a quadriplegic on a ventilator. Monica could no longer care for Murphy so I took her permanently. But that didn't mean Monica didn't love her. I think Murphy had two mothers who both loved her tremendously. I honored Monica's love by taking Murphy to see her every Thursday for years. Murphy would sit in Monica's lap and nap and we would chat the afternoon away. It was a Thursday when Murphy died - right after seeing Monica. I cried until I nearly threw up. The boys didn't know what to do with me. I knew I'd be ok but at that moment the pain was so great. Her nest is still here. I can't seem to give it away or put it up. I have so many sweet memories of her. I know they won't fade. She was a good old dog. She stole my heart long, long ago.

Up next: Sadie Lee Graham and how she was discarded and then found and the happy life she's had!

Staci

Murphy:
Breed - Miniture Dauchshund
Favorite Toy - A tiny squeeky yellow duck
Favorite Activity - Chasing Cheerios
Snooze Zone - Under the covers with me
Dislikes - Being outdoors - she doesn't like to get too far from her kitchen