… more than a pet

He came to us as an eight week old rescue, a mixed Black Labrador retriever, and a “replacement” pet for Maxi, the Yellow Labrador who died months earlier. I resisted getting another dog until a co-worker, animal lover herself, who noticed how much I grieved over Maxi, kept hounding me to get a dog. I felt that if I do get another dog, it would be a mixed breed but mostly Labrador and a puppy. I also wanted to rescue a dog.

So, in the Spring of 2008, I began to search websites, pet adoption days at Petco and other places, and still no dog. I came across an ad for a Black Labrador retriever, and within a week, I found our puppy through a dog rescue in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.

Murphy came to us in June 2008. He had been a rescue from somewhere in North Carolina, emaciated, and filled with worms. We took him in, got him healthier, and he thrived with a bit of TLC.

Although initially we took him for training at the Petco obedience dog training school, it was Murphy who “trained us”. Over the years, eleven of them, we bonded with Murphy. He also gave us a lot of love, loyalty, laughter, and purpose. In addition, he welcomed everyone to our home even if they didn’t like dogs as much as we did.

This month we learned that Murphy’s time with us would soon end. He was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It had spread from his liver to his lungs, and there was nothing the vets could do to save him. We had to bid our final and sad farewell to him at the animal hospital. I experienced a similar pain of grief with my last dog, Maxi, and it is never easy.

Now I understand why people have so-called therapy dogs or cats or parrots or whatever. They provide so much — unconditional love, companionship, and protection — they truly are therapy.

I will miss you, Murphy! May you rest in peace!