Schatzi gets to have a sleepover for a few days later this week. Murphy, the Schnauzer-Pekingese mix, will be staying with us. His owner is my friend, coworker and neighbor. Her mom, who is also my neighbor, died suddenly on Thursday of an aortic aneurysm. They were talking on the phone when she collapsed. We were actually off and my friend was able to get to her house quickly and my husband was able to get her in (since the door was locked) but she died about an hour after getting to the hospital.
The funeral is in Maryland and Murphy needs a place to stay. We couldn't do this when Molly was alive, but now, I thought, why not. It could be interesting. Murphy can be energetic, but at least his is very well behaved (maybe he will teach Schatzi!). I'm sure I'll have pictures!
There is one thing I have learned in the last few days. Do not take your loved ones for granted. You never know when the words you are saying to them may be the last ones.
dis is Parker: watch out for dat Murphy. He is gonna eats your kibbles and dwink your waters. You needs to gets to da gwub dishes first. I knowd dis from when Amber da big giant wiener dog (dat Mom says is a lab) comes to bisit. She is a goody 4 paws an makes me look like a naughty boy when I am weally a bery good boy :dontknow: :confused:
It's going to be a fun visit! Can't wait to see pics be sure to take a lot of them for us!
Teresa - I am so sorry for the loss of your friend....and your statement is so true...you just can't take anything for granted when it relates to your loved ones..... things happen so quickly.
Sending good rays for Schatzi's sleep over!
Parker, Schatzi knows you are right. Murphy really is a good boy-He is a Canine Good Citizen. Of course, he does seem to forget that sometimes when he is around Schatzi and excited! I'll remind her about the food and waters.
Thank you, Barb. I know the family will have a tough few days ahead of them as they travel and then go through the visitation and service. They will head to Virginia, to a family member's home on Wednesday and I will go by and get Murphy when I get off that evening. Another neighbor will take care of him during the day Wednesday.
So sorry to hear about your friend. Talking about shock, good grief!
I hope Ms Schatzi enjoys her company. Unfortunately my Bon Bon would not be amused with a visitor, I'm afraid. She's not too keen on other dogs. She will tolerate other dachsies but I don't think she'd like them in HER house. The exception is Maddie, of course, but then sometimes she grumps at the little one.
May your friend's mother rest in peace. Hope the dogs will great adventures and fun together.
The first night was quite the adventure. I think I need to keep a journal for the next couple of days!! I'll write more after work today-if I have a house left when I get home! I think I will, they aren't destructive at least. Schatzi is very jealous. Murphy can jump and get on the back of the sofa, which means he can see out the window. We are going to have to remedy this tonight!
Oh I am so sorry, when I read this the first time I was in a hurry and didn't read the part about your friends mom...how horrible! My prayers are with them.
Sounds like good times at your house with Schatzi and Murphy!!! :grin: Will look forward to more stories!
We all survived the sleepover and Murphy was good for stories that made his owner laugh in the midst of her sadness. I would send her emails or texts about his antics and she and he sons (especially her youngest, who is 20 and adores Murphy) would have a great laugh. She said that was one of the greatest things ever. Murphy seemed to know when to provide the story!
Murphy did not like the doggie door at first. The door itself wasn't a problem, it was the ramp. Our ramp is built over the air-conditioning unit and then goes down. Murphy refused to go near it. Did not like that fan. He finally got to where he would plant his little 9 lb self at the back door (I would actually open it and try to get him to go) and refuse to even step on the porch! Then he would turn and run to the front door and bark! Once or twice I would catch him walk about a foot out onto the ramp and then turn and run back in and to the front door. If I put he and Schatzi in the back yard and came back up on the porch, he would go to the gate and bark for me to come to him. He was NOT going near that ramp. Schatzi just looked at him like he was crazy. Yesterday, he finally decided the ramp was okay. He preferred not to use it, but he could tolerate. This morning, for the first time, he went out on his own, and went potty!
His only real fault is that he has a bark! A high pitched bark. Schatzi may bark, but she doesn't do it just because she is excited. Murphy does. He is really well-trained, but they are still working on the "quiet" command. There were lots of funny stories that went along with that and the ramp. He also has a blanket that he is so possessive of. I wanted to wash it, but couldn't get it away from him. Finally did it this morning when I took him home for awhile so Randy could sleep in (Meg was home and we were going shopping. I knew Murphy would bark if I left him here). I think he uses his blanket to claim his space. Last night he had gotten it on the sofa and then up in "his" windowsill. I took a picture with my phone and sent it to his owner. She loved it!
I now remember what it is like to have an active dog in the house. After Molly, who slept all the time, this was quite the adventure. I do think we need to get another dog, soon, to keep Schatzi young. She did great with Murphy, but I don't want her to reach a stage where she won't tolerate a new intruder.
Here is a picture of Murphy, laying in the window and one of Schatzi on the sofa below him (she isn't quite that chunky-must be the camera angle!).