More Firsts...

Since last week, Murph has entered into "Puppy Mode."  He is doing all the things he likely never got to do when he was a puppy.  He has discovered the art of chewing on shoes and power cords.  He tries to explore corners where he doesn't actually fit.  He thought sitting ON TOP of the crate might be more comfortable than sitting IN the crate.  We discovered he is now strong enough to jump up onto our bed.  This means we likely need a bigger bed.  Kirby, Stu, Murph and I can certainly fill our double bed...especially when the 2 beagle morph into St Bernard's when they sleep.

I know that his foster mom gave him 2 bathes during the week she had him, so Kirby and I gave him the third bath of his life last Sunday.  He took it all in stride.

We are struggling with taking Murph E on walks.  He can be VERY stubborn.  He sits or lays down and NOTHING is going to move him.  He vet suggested that when he does this, we should make the leash as tight as possible and turn our back to him and that he would then realize that he needed to get up and walk, and when he did we were to praise him and continue our walk.  I am here to tell you, this dog won't move for anything.  It takes a lot of patience to walk him right now.  I am hopeful we get this figured out and very soon.  Potty training has still been going pretty good with minimal accidents in the house.

I discussed the last post that Murph is not a morning dog.  For this reason, he gets to sleep in until 6:30am and Kirby takes him for his walk in the morning.  I take Stu for his brisk walk around the neighborhood, as he is up and ready at 5:15am.

Much of our week has been consumed by having family visit.  My Mom, Dad and Aunt arrived on Monday and with Wylie and Katelin here too, it made for a full house for a few days.  We love it!  It was extra good that they were here right now because Stu E was pretty sick for a few days.  Friday evening he was very lethargic and just laid around shaking, like he was shivering.  He wasn't interested in eating, playing or snuggling.  Nothing about this is normal behavior for Stu, so I was worried.  This continued through the weekend and worsened to the extent that he didn't want to be petted or held and hid under the bed.

First we thought he was upset because Katelin was gone for a couple of days.  He can be sensitive about that sort of thing.  He went on quite the hunger strike this past winter while I was on a recruiting trip.  Katelin came back and Stu did not improve.  Then I thought my parents arrival would cheer him up.  That didn't work either, so Tuesday afternoon, my Dad and I took both dogs to the mainland to see the vet.  We chose to fly to the mainland and back, as Murph E hasn't been downtown yet and I think the large crowds of people and noise would be too much for him, plus there is that whole walking thing...

The vet gave Murph a clean bill of health.  Her only thought was that he looks older than he is or maybe he had a rough life.  Duh.  I'm going with rough life on that one.

Stu E on the other hand is suffering from some sort of virus which is similar to you or I having the flu.  She said he was probably very sore, he has a fever and probably a sore throat, which is why he won't eat.  We've been doctoring his normal food with baby food to soften it up and that has helped.  I also let him have a couple of teaspoons of vanilla ice cream (a favorite of Stu E).  I am happy to say, I think he is on the mend, but it's taking a while.

Mom, Dad and Aunt Cathy all left this morning, so the house has returned to "normal" for the boys.  I think we are all due for an early bedtime tonight.

Getting settled...

We have all been settling in to a schedule the past few days, and I must say, it is as if Murph has been here all along.  Each new day bring new experiences and excitement to his life.  He is now walking on a retractable leash which allows him more space to explore and sniff and sniff and sniff.  He sleeps each night in a crate in our bedroom, but the door is open and he can come and go from the crate as he wishes.  Every time he leaves the crate, I sit straight up and wake up Kirby, convinced he's about to potty in the house.  This hasn't actually happened and Kirby has put a flashlight next to my bed so I can see what Murph is up to without turning all of the lights on.

Yesterday was exciting as we caught Murph and Stu chasing each other through the house as Stu has a squeaky toy in his mouth and Murph wanted to play too.  It is important to note that from Murph being in a cage his whole life he is very weak.  The fact he can jump onto the couch is a major accomplishment.  He can't jump as high as the bed yet.

I wake him each morning at 5:15am to go for a morning walk and hopefully a morning potty.  Housebreaking a almost 5 year old dog is tricky, but we have only had 2 accidents.  I'm happy with that.  Murph is NOT a morning dog.  I typically have to carry him down the stairs and to the first patch of grass we encounter and then he stands there sniffing the air for a few minutes before he moves.  I think he is probably 1) not awake 2) a little sore.  I keep thinking about when a person exercises muscles they haven't used in years, or ever, they are sore and need to stretch.  I would think Murph is no different.  It takes a lot of patience to walk these 2 in the AM, as Stu hears the alarm to wake up and is READY to go!  After our morning sniff and stretch, he naps.

Wylie and Cousin Kate take turn snuggling and walking the boys throughout the day and both are incredible about sending us fun photos and stories of things that happened throughout the day.

Once Kirby and I are home, we cook and eat supper and then walk the dogs.  Stu loves to search for squirrels and chase them up a tree and Murph watches and learns. We got Murph to run a bit yesterday and that is a sight!  Imagine Elaine from Seinfeld when she would dance...one leg goes one way and another goes quite opposite.  It is quite remarkable, really.  These spurts of energy are short lived and then he needs to nap for several hours.  He loves to curl up on the couch with anyone who will snuggle with him.  We have been told that as he gets stronger and more comfortable, he could revert to having the energy of a puppy.  Not sure I'm ready for that...

His appetite is great and he likes the same food as Stu.  I have not been successful in getting him to try any treats, but Wylie is diligently trying to teach him to sit.  He actually did it once AND took a treat from her.  She' s like a dog whisperer or something.

Basically, so far, Murph E has been a joyful addition to our home.  I have found myself looking at him a couple of times and thinking that, by all rights, he shouldn't be here right now and that so many more like him don't get a chance at a normal life after "retirement" from a laboratory environment.  It takes a little adjustment and a little patience, but the end result is so worthwhile.

Murph E and Stu E relaxing this afternoon

Welcome Home Murph-E!!

The last 24 hours or so have been quite the adventure...for all of us.  Kirby had to work, so Sky and Wylie and I left on the noon ferry yesterday to meet Jean and Larry, Murph's foster family.  We basically agreed to drive until we found each other, which happened in Oconto, WI.  We pulled into the McDonald's and the second most adorable beagle face I've ever seen was looking at us from the back of a Honda Element (the first most adorable beagle face belongs to our Stu-E).

Jean gave us lots of instructions and pointers.  I signed the adoption papers and he was ours.  She said he hadn't been outside since morning so we thought we'd walk him in the open field across the street. She warned us that Murph was better at going potty in dirt than he was on grass, but it all scared him, so good luck!  She also explained that Murph was involved in Drug Testing at the research facility and that the patches of fur missing from 3 of his legs would grow back.  We learned that Murph is 4 years old and his birthday is October 28, just a week after Stu-E and a week before mine.  She also explained that he has a tattoo on the inside of his ear which was how he was recognized in the lab.  They have since tattooed over the original number tattoo to make him untraceable, and made it all 8's, but they also added a happy face :).  First time she has ever seen that and she has fostered 7 beagles from the facility.

Wylie and her new brother Murph E

Murph's Tattoo...Neighborhood dogs better beware!!

The trip home was uneventful and Great Lakes Air brought us back to Mackinac around 10pm were met at the airport by Kirby and Stu-E.  I'd love to say that the two dogs sniffed each other and galloped off into the sunset as best of friends, but that was not the case.  Stu was not impressed and Murph was totally overwhelmed.  We walked home and gave each dog their space and Murph successfully pottied outside.  I was thrilled.  Waiting at home was Uncle Thad and Grandma and Grandpa King.  Stu E thought the best way to welcome Murph was to hump him repeatedly.  This did not impress Murph at all.  I immediately panicked and imagined the worst, things like they will never get along etc.  Stu has always gotten along well with other dogs, so this was a surprise to me.  He reacted the similarly with my Parents dog, but one snap from her and he would stop and go about his business.  Murph expressed his displeasure, but Stu didn't seem to care.

It was bed time and I was concerned as to how this was going to work.  Both dogs have a crate, but typically Stu sleeps with us and I had planned to have Murph sleep in his crate until we are confident we have him totally housebroken.  Remember, until July 3, he had never been outside before.  Stu wanted nothing to do with sleeping, the bed, or us.   He was sitting in the corner pouting.  This broke my heart.  He looked so dejected.

Murph was in his crate, but when we shut the door, he was a bit agitated.  We decided, in the interest of sleep, we would leave the crate door open and see what happened.  Eventually, I fell asleep and when I awoke, both dogs were in separate crates,  sleeping like angels....until 5:50am.

The boys...Murph E on the left and Stub E on the right

Kirby and I took the boys for a walk and our day began.  Stu was slightly aggressive throughout the morning, but I corrected his behavior repeatedly and we all took several walks together.  This seemed to calm him down a lot and they have coexisted wonderfully all afternoon.  Stu regresses now and again, but they actually played together this afternoon for a couple of minutes.  It was great to see.

This has been the most amazing day of firsts for Murph.  He mastered going up and down the stairs, discovered the toy bin, explored the area around our house, saw his first horses (not impressed), ate regular dog food, watched Stu tree a squirrel or 3 (hopefully he was taking notes), and most importantly, learned how to snuggle on the couch with Wylie, Katelin and Grandma King.  I also think he is learning his name.  He seems smart and he is certainly a sweetheart.  I couldn't be happier with him.

It really is so hard to believe that these dogs are considered disposable and just gotten rid of when the facility is done with them.  They deserve a shot at having a family to love them.

Long day at work for me tomorrow, but the boys will get to spend the whole day with their Dad and I am sure they will have even more adventures and firsts for Murph-E and Stu-E, like Murph's first NASCAR race.  :)

Murph and Cousin Kate...she's teaching him to cuddle

TOYS!!!  He figured out what they were for pretty quickly

The Beginning

Some might say I've become a woman obsessed.  Some think I've lost my mind.  Some think this is the greatest thing we could ever do.  I think they all are right.

It all started a few months ago when I saw a post on the almighty Facebook talking about beagles and their use in testing of various products, medications, chemicals etc.  I looked over at my beagle baby, Stu-E, who was curled up next to me on the couch and wondered how this was possible.  This was the first of many tears I shed for these poor animals.

Upon further research, I learned that up to 70,000 beagles every year are used as test subjects.  Some tests seem rather harmless and some are truly horrifying.  Do a Google Image search "Animal testing on Beagles" and you will see what I mean....(or don't do that at all and trust me...it's very disturbing).

Next, I downloaded an app for my phone that allows me to scan all of the cosmetics, bath and cleaning products in my home to see what is tested on beagles and what is not.  Believe it or not, Kirby's suntan lotion was the ONLY thing NOT tested on Beagles.  Since that time, as we use things up, we are replacing them with Beagle friendly products.  Lucky for us, my good friend Nicole, owns a WONDERFUL little shop on Mackinac called Little Luxuries and they carry lots of good options.  We have switched our laundry soap, bath soap, fabric softener and several of my cosmetics so far and will continue to make changes as we run through our inventory at home.  I am happy that several of our friends and relatives have follows suit and done the same.  Cousin Kate bought all new cosmetics and Wylie is conscious of what is a is not cruelty free too.  This is all good and gives me a warm feeling, but I knew we needed to do more...

Through my research, I learned of several  animal rescue organizations that are working hard to free beagles and other animals from labs and place them in loving homes.  Some are really focused on not testing on animals at all and some are focused on placing "retired" beagles with families.  Beagle Rescue League and Beagle Freedom Project seem to be 2 of the larger ones, but there really wasn't anything in our area.  Enter an animal rescue in Des Plaines, IL.  They are about 8 hours from our house, but closer than anyone else.  They were in contact with us about beagle who was to be "retired" from a research facility near them and would we like to give him a home?

My initial, gut reaction was, "Of course we will take him."  Then my brain kicked in...this is going to be hard.  This little guy is 4 years old and has never been outside, never walked on a leash, never socialized outside of a research environment, never had treats, never lead the life of a family pet.  I was truly torn.  I really wanted to give this guy a lot of love and a new life, but with our crazy schedule and already having our 1 1/2 year old beagle Stu E, was that the right move, right now?  There were, and are, lots of "What if's" going through my head, but Kirby really put it in to perspective...either we are going to save this dogs life or we are not.  A crazy life with us would be better for him than no life at all.

Soooooo...Little Murph-E was rescued last Thursday.  Independence Day means a whole new thing for him now.  He has spent the last week with his Foster Family while we make arrangements to pick him up.  We have enjoyed daily updates from his Foster Mom that included a video of the first time Murph sniffed grass.  They have been working with him on housebreaking and socializing him with people and other dogs.  By all reports, we have another lover on our hands.  His foster Mom said he is a very sweet dog and is enjoying exploring and sniffing everything he can.  He didn't eat for several days and they tried many different food and finally Murph-E decided he would like canned Alpo mixed with rice and kibble and small Milk Bones.  We will have to shop before his arrival.

If all goes according to plan, Murph-E will be arriving to Mackinac Island on Friday and begin his new life.

Stay tuned for more updates.............