Henry (Murphy 07-385) [1]

This happy-go-lucky guy is Murphy, an 18-month-old male found as a stray in Iowa. Slight of build, Murphy weighs 60 pounds and probably won't get much larger. His coat--a dark gold with blondish highlights--is straight and not terribly dense, which makes him easier to groom than some Goldens. With a healthier diet, his coat will get shinier and perhaps thicker, and he may grow more feathering.

Murphy's most distinguishing characteristic, however, is his little stump of a tail! At some point in his young life, Murphy's tail was docked (whether by accident or intentionally we'll never know), but that doesn't keep him from expressing himself. When he's happy, which is most of the time, he's a complete wigglebutt.

Like many Goldens his age, Murphy is bursting with energy and will need a great deal of daily exercise. Because he's so lively and athletic, he might make a good agility dog or flyball competitor. He loves toys, likes to retrieve, and willingly releases the ball when asked.

 It appears that Murphy may have had some training, as he promptly dropped to a sit when I offered him a treat. Walking on a leash, however, is a challenge. He's not fond of the Gentle Leader, but we'll work on getting him used to it. We'll also need to teach this young man that it's time to leave the puppy behaviors--jumping on people, mouthiness, climbing into laps, etc.--behind. It's also not yet clear whether Murphy is completely housebroken. He marked inside the house upon arrival, but that is not unusual for an intact (read that, "soon to be neutered") male in a new environment.

Murphy is at that awkward age when he's trying to find his place in the pack. As is typical of adolescent males, he tested my three-year-old Golden, Chaz, to see who would be top dog. It took some harsh words from Chaz, but Murphy finally accepted his position, and they ended up playing together on the back deck.

Murphy has great potential. He bonds quickly to humans, craves affection, shows no aggressive tendencies, and possesses a sunny Golden personality. Obedience training and daily aerobic exercise will provide the final polish for this little rough gem of a dog.

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Murphy says: Ya wanna know how I lost my tail?  Well, I'll tell ya.  Later.  Next update. You'll just have to keep reading.