Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Playdates
Here I am, standing in a dog park setting, watching my new child running/chasing/rolling on the grass with his friends. For a few years, I congratulate myself that I no longer need to stay in a park for my kids' play dates. But here I am, after a long day of schooling, spending my time in a dog park. Murphy has fully recovered from his previous condition. He is very happy and one of the dog owners said that he could tell Murphy was smiling.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
temporary fix before we buy the new leash
tody is Sunday, church day. wife and children went to the first service while Murphy and I were enjoied the time outside Starbuck coffee. I find a good shady parking spot at church so I let Murphy on the car when attending the second service. He is nice on the car by himself. No problem. No trouble. Kids served in the toddler room occasionly check on him. nice dog.
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Saturday, September 25, 2010
First Bath
Today is the first time we give Murphy a bath. Unfortunately, we do not have enough energy to record the process. He was very dirty before the bath after crazy playing in the dog park yesterday. He was very calm during the bath. We gave him the bath in the side yard.
What a Sleeper
Some web page said Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is "a good sleeper". I surely believe that. Yea, that is our dog. Perfect fit to my family.
Friday, September 24, 2010
First visit to the dog park
During our daily walk, Murphy shown great interest of playing with other dogs. So I took him to a neighborhood dog park. There were several dogs, big and small, with their owners. It was so funny that all other dogs spent sometimes sniffing Murphy, then Murphy had a great time! Murphy forgot his own size and wrestled with 2 dogs triple his size. Considering his recent physical condition, we stayed for only 15 minutes. He is lying next to my feet and taking a nice afternoon nap.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Part of the family
What a smart boy. He learned to sit and wait at the door in two days.
He stayed in the cedar dog house the first night. Then, he escaped from the dog house while we were at church. So my son and I slept on sofas while Murphy slept on dog pillow next to the sofas. All four of us agree that couches, sofas, beds are off-limit for him. I think he recognizes us as owners now. Tomorrow he will go to Frank's office, stay in his cubicle. Murphy will be praised and patted the whole time by Frank's co-workers. Kids and I have Chemistry lab tomorrow morning.
My heart really felt for Murphy on his first and second days at out house. I could feel his insecurity. He would not finish his meal if I walked out of sight. Later I sat on the sofa next to his dog house where he could see me, then he resumed eating. Yesterday when kids and Frank went to bible class, Murphy whined for a little while. He stopped whining when I hugged him and talked to him. He had lost his previous owner for some unsolved mysteries. But I can tell he is happy and feel at home today. He is part of the family and he knows it.
Debra and Andrew
Murphy is a precious gift from Debra and Andrew, its foster family. The family took Murphy when he was limping. His eye was badly infected. His hair tangled with fleas on his body. Debra and Andrew spent almost three weeks to care for Murphy: Vet visits, X-ray, medications, shots, nueter, grooming, microchip... Murphy is their 10th rescued dog from shelter. Without their angelic hearts, Murphy will not have a chance to be adopted. He will not have the chance to bring laughters and happiness to our family. Thank you, Debra and Andrew. I love the world better because I met you.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Murphy's new toy, Kong
Christine: "Murphy's new toy, Kong. We put "chicken flavor whip cream" inside the hard rubber strange-shaped cone. I have no idea there are so many toys for pet. I felt like I was in Toysrus while I was actually in PetSmart."
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
first day on car
We got Murphy this morning. Currently driving back home.
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Thursday, September 16, 2010
Got the Dog House, but where is the roof top? How about the door?
My smart wife got the dog house from Craigslist. She only spent 80 USD, half the price of the house if we bought one online. She got a brand new one, just out of the box. The seller said he got the dog house and planned to move his dog from the Central Valley here, but later he figured he wouldn't have much time to take care of the dog because of his busy work schedule. He got it and sold it to us.
We assembled the dog house, a pretty one that even had crown molding. But there were two problems.
Somehow the roof-top piece was missing. My wife called the seller and also the manufacturer, and both were very helpful. The seller called back one day later and said he had found the piece in his garage. We will pick it up tomorrow. The manufacturer was also very helpful. They said if we couldn't find the piece from the box, they could mail us a new part. But it seems that it won't be necessary now.
Another problem is the door. The dog house looks very nice, but there is no door. So the dog can get in/out freely. But in case we need to make sure the dog stays in at night, or when we are not in the house, how can I lock the dog inside the dog house? I need to design a way to lock Murphy in.
My wife contacted the foster family today. The lady said she sent Murphy to be neutered today. Poor dog.............
I know it hurts, but its ok.
Our gardener came on Tuesday and cleaned up most of the Morning Glory(something like dogs to chocolate). I still need to make sure all the small pieces get thrown away.
I think we need to go to a pet store tomorrow to buy a leash and some dog food. We need to travel to Sacramento to pick up Murphy on Saturday at 10 o'clock in the morning.
We assembled the dog house, a pretty one that even had crown molding. But there were two problems.
Somehow the roof-top piece was missing. My wife called the seller and also the manufacturer, and both were very helpful. The seller called back one day later and said he had found the piece in his garage. We will pick it up tomorrow. The manufacturer was also very helpful. They said if we couldn't find the piece from the box, they could mail us a new part. But it seems that it won't be necessary now.
Another problem is the door. The dog house looks very nice, but there is no door. So the dog can get in/out freely. But in case we need to make sure the dog stays in at night, or when we are not in the house, how can I lock the dog inside the dog house? I need to design a way to lock Murphy in.
My wife contacted the foster family today. The lady said she sent Murphy to be neutered today. Poor dog.............
I know it hurts, but its ok.
Our gardener came on Tuesday and cleaned up most of the Morning Glory(something like dogs to chocolate). I still need to make sure all the small pieces get thrown away.
I think we need to go to a pet store tomorrow to buy a leash and some dog food. We need to travel to Sacramento to pick up Murphy on Saturday at 10 o'clock in the morning.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Need to remove all the "Morning Glory" at backyard
Murphy is coming this Saturday. Before he arrives, we need to remove all the Morning Glory from my backyard. I planted Morning Glory in my side yard about one year ago. It grew very fast and is now out of control. I also tried to split some to my backyard. But now, for the health of our new dog, I better remove all of them. It is not easy. I spent about 30 minutes tonight and only managed to remove 1/3 of them. My gardener will come tomorrow and we will ask him to remove the rest. :( ---I like the flowers
Morning Glory is poisonous to dog. Dogs may have an upset stomach and hallucinations. After Murphy arrives, we should make sure he does not get into the side yard until I make sure all the remaining Morning Glory has been cleaned up.
Morning Glory is poisonous to dog. Dogs may have an upset stomach and hallucinations. After Murphy arrives, we should make sure he does not get into the side yard until I make sure all the remaining Morning Glory has been cleaned up.
Buy a Dog House
My wife found a new Precision Pet Country Club Estate Luxury Dog House for sale on craigslist for USD 80. We decided to go for it. The original price is about USD 160 so this is a half price deal. She makes the contact tonight and we are waiting for the seller's reply. I need to design a door for it.
The size seems right for Murphy.
The size seems right for Murphy.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Dog House?
OK, the name is settled. It is Murphy. The next question is - where should Murphy sleep? Based on the suggestion from the foster family, we all agree that we should let Murphy sleep in a dog crate or dog house.
Searching Dog Crate online. Found nothing interesting. None of them are cheap.
All of sudden, my wife said "How about we build a Snoopy Dog House for Murphy".
Sounds good to me. But it will take some time.
First, we need to decide the size.
Also, I need to think about how to build the door for the dog house.
Searching Dog Crate online. Found nothing interesting. None of them are cheap.
All of sudden, my wife said "How about we build a Snoopy Dog House for Murphy".
Sounds good to me. But it will take some time.
First, we need to decide the size.
Also, I need to think about how to build the door for the dog house.
How about Romeo?
On our way home back from Sacramento, where the foster family live, we discussed what should be the name for the dog. The foster mom told us they just picked the name Murphy two weeks ago and we can change its name.
We first talk about several names, James, Bond, etc. None of them make sense. Then, my wife said "How about Romeo?". It fit him. "And later we may got a female Juliet", my wife said. And I think Romeo is a wonderful name for that cute dog. All of us, except my son, think we should name him Romeo. My son think it is not a good name since Romeo in the "Romeo and Juliet" eventually died as poisoned.
After came back home, my wife did some internet research. She want to find a good Irish name for him since Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is an Irish dog.
She found this Irish Surnames List and found Murphy rank number 1 in the list. So, Murphy is a good name after all. So.. we decide to keep the name Murphy for him. It is easier. And, of course, no objection from my son.
What does the name Murphy mean? - "sea-battler"
"The name Murphy in Ireland is the most frequently found name in the country and derives from a number of native Gaelic O'Murchadha Septs. The main Septs were located in Counties Cork, Wexford, Carlow and Armagh but the majority of descendants now hail from County Cork."
And below is a "Coat of Arms" for Murphy
We first talk about several names, James, Bond, etc. None of them make sense. Then, my wife said "How about Romeo?". It fit him. "And later we may got a female Juliet", my wife said. And I think Romeo is a wonderful name for that cute dog. All of us, except my son, think we should name him Romeo. My son think it is not a good name since Romeo in the "Romeo and Juliet" eventually died as poisoned.
After came back home, my wife did some internet research. She want to find a good Irish name for him since Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is an Irish dog.
She found this Irish Surnames List and found Murphy rank number 1 in the list. So, Murphy is a good name after all. So.. we decide to keep the name Murphy for him. It is easier. And, of course, no objection from my son.
What does the name Murphy mean? - "sea-battler"
"The name Murphy in Ireland is the most frequently found name in the country and derives from a number of native Gaelic O'Murchadha Septs. The main Septs were located in Counties Cork, Wexford, Carlow and Armagh but the majority of descendants now hail from County Cork."
And below is a "Coat of Arms" for Murphy
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