Murphy's Paw

Murphy's previous guardian went into hospital and sadly died. Her daughter came home from the hospital and went to bed and never got up. The police broke in 3 days later and used a catchpole to get him and his brother into a van and a catchpole was used again to get him into a kennel. He remained there for a month with no interaction because people were worried about them.

On arriving at the kennels, I was told I’d had a wasted journey but for my own peace of mind I had to check. His brother was huddled at the back of his kennel absolutely terrified. I’d come armed with tubs of treats and smelly fish etc and started to toss treats into you and walk away. 25 minutes later you were standing at the bars waiting for me to toss your treats. The first thing I noticed was your swollen legs. I asked if they had given you anything for this and was told “a comfy bed”. There was no way I could leave him there now so he and his brother were led to the van to bring them back with me. No attempt was made to touch Murphy or interact with him and many weeks later he came over and nudged into me. What a bond we shared. I soon learned that you were now ok to be around people as long as they didn’t touch you.

He couldn’t have been more loving with me. He loved cuddles - in fact he would insist on them. He also liked to share whatever food I had and would look so contented when I did share it and his slobbery kisses on my face will stay in my memory forever.

A lymphatic problem was the cause for his “Nora Batty” legs and we had to keep this monitored. He also suffered a gastric torsion. The prognosis wasn’t good but he proved them wrong. Once home, he did everything I asked of him and made a complete recovery. We were a team. We had a bond that could never be broken.

Sadly Murphy became unwell and after several vet visits we realised we were losing the battle. Fluid was filling his body due to the lymphatic problem so we took our final road trip together. I held him so close and told him how much I loved him. I will never forget Murphy.

So many dogs alone in despair, they don’t have a home or a human to care.

If you look in their eyes, their sorrow you’ll see,I know all about it, this once was me.

The vet date was booked., my future looked bleak. Helpless, alone, with no voice to speak.

The trauma I’d suffered had left scars so deep, the only solution was to find peace in sleep.

If I am honest, I had to agree, I thought that this was the only option for me

I had to accept it, what else could I do? Until one day a visitor out of the blue.

Came to my kennel and threw in a treat. First there was biscuit, then fish, and then meat.

This visitor didn’t ask for a thing in return, but I heard her saying “his trust I must earn”.

Soon I was taking a treat from her hand, by all accounts, this is what she had planned.

Before I knew it, I was taken away, to GSD welfare, where they said I could stay.

They gave me some time and met all my needs, the lady there brought me my water and feeds.

I was given the chance to explore and have fun, and some days I went in the field for a run.

Learning to trust - I won’t lie was hard. They knew that adoption was not on the cards.

With most rescues my time would have come to an end, but Welfare they’re really a dogs best friend.

They said I could stay there and live out my days. I wasn’t the only dog living this way.

Permanent residents is a thing that they do, but sadly with lockdown these numbers grew.

My years spent at Welfare were really the best, until through illness they laid me to rest.

Those very last moments were handled with care, and right to the end my human was there.

Some people cried and said it was sad that I’d died and there wasn’t a home to be had.

What people don’t know, what I want to tell, is permanent residents are treated so well.

It’s more than some food and a shelter above us. There are people there that really love us.

My dying wish was that others like me, can find this love and from trauma set free.

To help the helpless I bring Murphy’s Paw. By being a member helps Welfare do more.

To help troubled dogs whose trauma won’t heal, finally find peace, this is the deal.

For twenty five pounds per year they will send, a certificate to say of Murphy’s Paw you’re a friend

Do it today. There’s so much to gain. While I watch and know my life wasn’t in vain

You can join Murphy's Paw

At Welfare we have approximately 35 permanent residents. The upkeep of this amount of dogs, with no hope of homing them, is what nightmares are made of. We loose sleep worrying how we can continue.

By becoming a member of Murphy’s paw, you can help us to continue the work we do - helping the helpless. Just £25 per year gets you a certificate which will be posted on his page.

It really is desperate times.