To My Beloved Murphy
December 27, 2000-July 12, 2005
I still miss you so much. It has been three weeks now since you have been gone, but five weeks since I last hugged you and talked to you.I am so sorry that I was not there for you at the end. I would have never gone on vacation if I had known I would have never seen you again. I wish I had thought to make sure the kennel knew not to leave you outside for more than 30 minutes at a time. That has always been the rule in the past. They knew you were an inside dog. They should have known that 100 degrees was too hot for any animal, but especially for you with your beautiful long coat. They wanted you to have a playmate outside, so that is why they let you stay out for a while. Four hours was way too long. This was so preventable. You weren’t used to being outside. I am so so sorry that I was not there to protect you.
The kennel is so sorry that this happened. They knew how much you meant to me. That does not bring you back to me. Your death has made them change their rules. I know that you would not want me to be mad at them because you loved to go there and they loved you. They always told me that you were the most beautiful golden they had ever seen.
It is so quiet and still in the house without you. I miss your happy face. I miss you asking for carrots and dog treats. I miss seeing you lie around everywhere I was. I miss your constant presence. I miss your face at the door every time we would come home. I miss your jumping on the couch or bed with me. I miss grooming you and washing you. I miss everything about you. We are having trouble going in the pool because you were always in the pool with us. We see you everywhere we go.
We have gotten lots of calls, cards, and e-mails from family and friends. Everybody who knew me and knew you knew how close we were. They understand how much we are hurting. And everyone who knew you, loved you, too!
We got on the phone to try to find your daddy’s breeder. Cheryl helped us find her number. We found her in Atlanta. We knew we would probably have to get on a waiting list if we ever wanted another puppy. There was always such joy with you here. I know that you would want us to have that joy again. It would mean so much to us to try to find your relatives. We did! We found the breeder who owned your daddy, “Camper”. She has a dog that is getting ready to have a litter in about a week. The dam of this litter is your great niece. The sire is your 1/2 brother. I just know that you and your angel friends helped me find these puppies. You are probably up there with your dad, granddad, and great granddad arranging everything. Thank you, my sweet “Murph”. I will cherish this new puppy even more knowing he will be related to you and have your sweet disposition. I hope he grows up
to look and act just like you.
Thank you for loving us and for the chance to love you for the 4 and 1/2 years we had you in our lives. You touched a place in our hearts that no other dog has ever touched.There will never be another “Murphy” and you can not be replaced.
You will forever be in our hearts and memories. I have such wonderful pictures that I will always treasure. My new breeder says you looked exactly like your doggy daddy, but you probably know that now. Please wait for me at The Rainbow Bridge. Just listen for me to say “Murph, Murph” and come running. I will be so ready for a great big kiss and hug from you, my sweet, beautiful boy! We will always love and miss you.
With love forever,
| Debbie and Mark Long |