Birth: July 30, 1991 Adoption: January 1998 Rainbow Bridge: July 18, 2004

Murphy is on the Norcal web page among the "Success Stories" and she certainly was that – both for her and for me. She also will be remembered as Miss June in the 2002 Golden Retriever Rescue Calendar holding a S.F. Giants cap in her mouth. I am sad to relate that Murphy died on July 18, 2004. She had surgery for mammary gland cancer in September of 2002 when she was already 12 ½ years old. She then amazed us all by living 22 more months. Until the final 2 weeks, she enjoyed life as always though moving a bit slower, sleeping more, and climbing the stairs very slowly However, I want to tell you all the wonderful parts of her life during our 6½ years together as my special friend and companion. She was 96 lbs. when I adopted her in January 1998, had some bald spots, no feathers, and a saggy tummy. She had had several litters of puppies while with her original owner. It took a year to get her to her optimum weight of 76 lbs. She was spayed, took thyroid pills, had good walks twice a day, ate low-fat kibble and what a beauty she became! Her hair and feathers all grew back and her step became lively. As we know, all goldens have great personalities but I think Murphy stood out. For 5 years, she visited the Lawton Healthcare Center in S.F. and became a favorite of many of the patients. The city park by our house which Murphy considered to be her big yard, has a recreation center with latchkey programs and other children’s programs. The kids all knew Murph and would rush out to see her, pet her, and watch her sniff and search for gophers. She caught one once and never forgot it! The gardener was her special friend and called her his "Pest Management Manager." When I went to the park after her death, the girls came running out to see her and when I had to tell them she was gone, their eyes filled with years and they wanted to plan a funeral. They made a beautiful condolence card which I added to the stack of cards from her many friends. When I visited the Healthcare Center, there was a large photo of her on the counter and a card signed by many of the residents. She traveled with me on driving trips to Portland, Bend, Ashland, and Klamath Falls, Oregon as well as Reno, Jackson (Amador County), Pismo Beach, Newport Beach, and San Diego. She was welcome everywhere and behaved like a perfect lady. She paraded through the Mallory Hotel lobby in Portland and caught everyone’s eye. The only drawback was that she refused to go into an elevator and the room was on the 5th floor! - She walked in the Dog Days of Summer Parade at PacBell Park in 2001 which is sponsored by the Giants along with the SPCA. She also walked in two Golden Retriever Rescue Parades at the Santa Clara Co. Convention Center and her blue ribbon still hangs in my kitchen. Her regular spot was lying in front of the window by the front door of my house. She could watch all the people coming and going and they all would look up and wave at her. I still see neighbors looking up expecting to see her, just as I do. – As I didn’t want her to be alone when I was working, I adopted an orange tabby cat from the SPCA. Louie became her constant companion and usually they slept together on Murphy’s bed. Louie and I are both still grieving and for weeks, he just sat and stared at where her bed had been. Murphy and I had a wonderful 6 ½ years together and I always recommend a rescue dog to people who are thinking of acquiring a dog. I will soon be ready to adopt another golden from Norcal. Thank you for all the wonderful work you all do.