Murphy #9 Yellow Labrador Retriever 1 Year Old #3533

Meet Murphy!  This handsome Red Fox yellow Labrador was surrendered by a breeder after he was unable to sell him. This poor boy was kept in a dark barn by himself. The breeder did not name him and did not interact with him so he will be discovering a whole new world while in foster care.  Please read Murphy’s blog from the bottom up to learn about his journey while in foster care.

April 18, 2025

Here I am, week 2 in my new foster home. I have learned to do steps like a champ and continue to only do my “business” outside. FM said after 2 weeks, she considers me “house-trained”. As I get more and more comfortable living in a house, I am acting more like a puppy… very playful and sometimes a bit mouthy. My foster family is teaching me that I cannot play with humans in the same way that I do with my doggie friends.

I have discovered shoes! All the humans in my foster home know that they cannot leave shoes where I can get them and chew them. I don’t chew anything else in the house and have lots of dog toys / bones to chew on.

I have also discovered a thing called a Jolly Ball and love playing with that outside. Check out my video!

Another update for this week is that FM thinks I might run “a little funny” and wants to have my back legs / hips checked out. I have an appointment with the Vet on Monday 4/21 and he’ll check me out and do x-rays if needed. FM is hoping it’s just from being in a small space for so long and the need to build some muscle. I’ll be letting everyone know how I do.I have learned “sit” and am learning to walk nicely on a leash. I’m still a bit shy so I still get a bit nervous when outside of the house or yard. We are going for walks in the woods, so I don’t have to see too many new faces yet. I met the neighbor’s dog yesterday and had a lovely time playing and getting out some of my puppy energy. I ignored the human that was with him. FM said it is good that I don’t bark at the people.

I’m learning to take treats from the human visitors when they come in the house as long as they are sitting. I do like treats!Please continue to follow my story as I have so many more adventures ahead!

April 12, 2025

It’s been one week in my new foster home. I had a visit with a nice man called a Vet. He gave me some shots which didn’t even hurt! He wanted to give me a treat, but I was too nervous. Everyone loved me and said I was so handsome and gentle. I’ll be going back there in a few weeks to be neutered. I’m thinking I might not like that…I also met some little people called Grandchildren and an older person called a Great Grandmother when they came over for a small birthday dinner.  I was a little nervous, so I lay at the top of the steps to watch what was happening. I didn’t jump or bark, just quietly laid and watched. FM said that was perfect!I’ve started trying to play with the cats, so my foster family have to remind me to “leave it”. I’m not quite sure what that means yet, but I understand the tone of voice and stop.

I also started a training class because FM says I’m a big boy with puppy energy, so she wants to be sure once I’m not shy anymore that I am well behaved. I think I will learn lots of things in that class. I don’t mind being there if nobody tries to pet me. I like all the dogs in the class and want to play with them, but FM says “that’s not what we are there for” so I just play with her.I am slowly learning that there is a world outside of my barn stall that I lived in for at least a year, and so far, I’m liking it!

April 8, 2025

It’s day 3 in my new foster home. I’ve not had a single accident in the house, so I haven’t had to wear the male wrap since I tore it up on day 1. FM says she is very proud of me. I’ve learned to do steps so I can follow the humans around to see what they are doing. When they are not looking, I steal their slippers. Other than that, I don’t chew on things in the house.I slept well on the 1st night. Last night I barked a bit and was restless, but FM said I just need to get used to the sounds around me. I roam around the house at night looking for my perfect sleeping spot. I don’t know what a dog bed is, so I usually lay on the wood floor close to the human’s bedrooms.I am super playful with the dogs in the home, especially the female, Morgan. I still just watch the cats with curiosity, but I don’t bother them at all. I’m still a bit nervous about the humans and will sniff their hands or eat a treat they are holding. If the human tries to pet me, I cower down hoping they go away… and they do! I think I like humans, I’m just not sure about them yet. I like to be near them, I’m just not ready to be touched. FM says it’s time to start a little training, like walking on a leash. I’m not sure about that but I’m willing to give it a try because I think I would like to go for walks. Paws crossed that it goes well!

April 4, 2025

Hello! My name is Murphy, and I’m fresh off the farm. Foster mom (FM) says with my red hair, I look Irish and deserved an Irish name. I am about 1 ½ years old. I took a long ride to my new foster home and did great! I was quiet the whole time and did not get car sick. (all though I did drool a bit) I had to stop at a salon on the way to my foster home because FM said I smelled like a cow. It took several shampoos, but FM said I smell much better and was ready to meet the rest of the family.I had fun meeting my 4-legged foster siblings. So far, I’m liking dogs the best because I really like to play.

The cats are strange to me, but I’m getting some pretty good sniffs in to figure out what they are. FM says I should not play with them and that is OK with me.I like to follow the people around but if they stop to talk to me, I’m a bit shy and will back up a bit. I have not had much interaction with humans, so I have to figure them out. I ate a small dinner once I got settled in the house. I’ve taken a few treats from the people’s hands so far as long as they don’t look right at me. After spending most of my life in a barn stall, everything is new to me. I am very curious and watch everything that is happening.

I was quiet all night when everyone went to bed. I took off that ridiculous “male wrap” and made some confetti with it to celebrate this comfy new lifestyle! I did not have any accidents in the house and FM said I was a good boy because I didn’t chew on anything in the house. I do not understand steps so that is something I will need to learn.I think I am going to have a great many learning adventures! Stay tuned to see what happens next!