Murphy
is our (the Elliott family) much loved yellow labrador. He chose
us from Second Chance Animal Rescue, based at Mansbridge, Eastleigh.
He began his life in Ireland where he was born to a stray on a
farm. Luckily for Murphy and his brothers and sisters, Rose Milne
at Second Chance was able to take the litter in and quickly found
homes for them all.
All
that is, except Murphy who was lame. Rose had brought him into
the surgery to be checked over and our nurses, who had been keeping
a sneaky eye out for a labrador puppy for us, told me that he
was particularly quiet and gentle. I saw him when he was about
12 weeks old and it was love at first sight.
Murphy
is a particularly floppy dog. If you sit on the floor he will
come and flop onto your lap. He likes to sleep on his back, all
paws in the air, and although quiet he is still cheeky in his
play time.
Murphy
was referred to orthapaedic veterinary surgeon, Ian McQueen, based
in Devizes. He underwent key-hole surgery there to remove some
jagged edges of bone on his elbows and has hardly looked back
since. Ian's nurses commented about the size of Murphy's tail
as we left saying "he'll grow into it one day!"
Murphy
has a glucosamine supplement daily to help his elbow joints but
shows no sign of lameness now. The operation was a complete success.
Murphy
is a character. He puts up with our three young children climbing
all over him with gentleness, he is playful and yes, he does dig
the odd rather large hole in the garden. Unlike other labradors
he isn't particularly bothered by his food just eating delicately
when he feels like it. He is in excellent health and likes nothing
more than to just be with the family. He is a very special dog.
Sally
Elliott
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