This is Murphy in the snow we had a couple of weeks ago. Today I had to send him across Rainbow Bridge. He would have been 15 on April 1. Over a year ago he was diagnosed with a collapsing trachea and this morning he was straining to breathe so an immediate trip to the vet to end his struggle was necessary. There have been many pets in my life and sending them on that voyage never gets any easier.

Murphy was about a year old when I adopted him from our local pound and after treatment for heart worms he showed that he was happy to be a dog. Though I told people he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed he certainly understood the need for gentleness when I took him to the nursing home where my mother stayed. He was so happy to visit with the patients and listen to their stories about their pets. Even though he was a retriever he would only retrieve snowballs and loved searching for them even though they disappeared. Snow was so much fun!

He loved all our kitties whether they liked him or not and felt it his duty to help with their leftovers. Bacon flavored treats were the best but he would happily eat a few other flavors.

His most favorite thing in the whole world was his "spa day" when he went to the groomer for his bath and beautification. Murphy just loved showing off how pretty he was.

I miss you so much Murph. Be well and happy my sweet, sweet boy.