Murphy

Dear Friends at Golden Retriever Rescue Southern Nevada:

Well, you guys really did it this time. You sent me to live in the lovingest home in all of Las Vegas. I’m now a permanent resident in the home of my adopted mom and dad, two folks you guys know as Missy and Chris Powell. They couldn’t make a dog feel any happier or any more loved.

The highlight of my day – assuming you don’t count the two meals that arrive in my bowl at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. – is our daily walk. I’ve got two adopted brothers, Charlie, a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, and Doobie, a springer spaniel. The five of us – we never leave Mom and Dad behind – go for a 45-minute walk every day shortly before dinner. Dad walks me and the Doob, and Mom walks Charlie. When we get back home, Mom serves me, Charlie and Doobie a bowl of ice water and Dad a glass full of something golden.

I guess now would be a good time for me to admit that when I first got here, I was so insecure that I spent much of my time cowering behind a chair. I kept hearing Mom utter something about me being scared of my own shadow. Well, an unsettled life will do that to you. Before I got here, I never knew what was gonna happen next.

But love, attention and more love breed security. And that’s what Mom and Dad have given me. Rest assured that nothing calms an insecure pup like the love I’ve been getting since February. Mom and Dad have occasionally hooked me up with a trainer, too. Between the love and the training I’ve received, I’ve really gotten to where I can stand on my own four paws.

Unsure of myself before, now when they call my name, I come a-runnin’. And that’s not all: I’ve also learned to sit, stay and heel. Before long I’m hoping to work on my multiplication tables.

Now, when the five of us go for our daily walk, I walk confidently at Dad’s side instead of timidly looking around for something frightening to happen. And don’t tell the homeowners’ association this, but Dad occasionally removes my leash during our neighborhood tour. Not once have I left his side. (Well, there was that one time I spotted a cotton-tail when we were in an enclosed space on the golf course. I guess my “retrieving” blood got the best of me! I got a stern “talkin’-to” for that little misstep, but since then I’ve walked the straight and narrow.)

I think I mentioned mealtime somewhere above. Mom just can’t get over how quickly I can make a bowl of food disappear. Doobie and Charlie are still tucking their napkins in their collars when I’m licking my bowl clean. I’ve always believed that I could win a gold medal in “speed-eating” in the K-9 Olympics.

Around the house, we play a lot of fun games. “Fetch” is one of my favorites. And Mom and Dad can’t get over my penchant for toys. I have a habit of walking around the house with two stuffed animals clinched in my mouth. I don’t know why I like to take two at a time, but Mom says that’s just one of those things that makes me special.

You wouldn’t believe how much attention I get paid around here. Charlie and I are allowed to horseplay around the house and in the backyard. (We’ve got a doggie door, so the backyard is always available to us. No need to whine and get someone to open the human door.) When Mom and Dad are reading in bed, I’m right there between ’em. They haven’t even complained about my “shedding issue.” The love in this house is just never ending.

You guys are welcome to drop by and see me any time. With all this confidence, though, I probably won’t jump up on you when you come in the front door. Oh, one other thing: Don’t get any silly ideas about placing me in some new home. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. Healthy too. Now let’s see … five times five is 25, right?

Love to all my brothers and sisters,

Murphy Powell