Maureen Scott writes:

Our family grew both bigger and better this month! On June 9th, Murphy, the Yukon Sp'Airedale rescued by Pascal Black, joined the Scott household.

Murphy loves kids. Here he is with some young friends of ours, Cam & Jessie.

Pascale wrote about Murphy early in June. Murphy was the 12-year-old house dog from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, whose family parted company, leaving him in the care of a renter. The renter tied Murphy in the yard and fed him outside. Murphy apparently had little human contact for the better part of a year and was rarely let in the house -- the weather in Whitehorse is not always kind to outside animals. Feisty old boy that he is, Murphy objected long and loudly to this treatment and Whitehorse city bylaw enforcement officers began to object equally loudly, too. Murphy was in extreme danger of precipitously crossing the bridge until Pascale, on behalf of AIRECANADA, took action.

Murphy with Shelby Black & Pifflesqueak Scott.

Murphy was advertised as being available; no one, it seems, wants a 12-year-old boy, no matter how sweet. Pascale was growing desperate to find a home for Murphy. My husband & I, both members of AireCanada, are veritable marshmallows about dogs -- we couldn't bear the thought of this poor fellow's life being limited through no fault of his own, so Murphy is now ours.

Murphy gets along really well with Angie, who adores him . . .

By the time Pascale collected Murphy, he was filthy and wraith-thin -- a grubby little bag of bones. Pascale did a wonderful job of cleaning him up, grooming him so he looked marvellous and coaxing him to eat. Nevertheless, when we met this guy, he was so weak, he could barely stand up. We have continued stuffing the groceries and vitamins down him and he has begun to fill out and trembles much less than he did ten days ago. He is taking glucosamine for his stiff little hind legs -- we hope he will limber up with this treatment, good food, warmth and light exercise.

. . . and Pifflesqueak, who thinks he is at least nicer than Angie!

Murphy is totally adorable -- a curly grey-and-cream Airedale on stilts -- very leggy, huge feet, clumsy as a puppy! He accidentally went wading in the water dish this morning while cavorting around for his breakfast. (Angie A, who actually likes him a great deal, was heard to snicker behind her paw.)

He has a charming disposition -- terribly cooperative, very friendly, not inclined to empty wastebaskets of tissues or to countersurf (so far!).

Murphy & Angie after a hosedown.

Twenty-four hours after adopting this little waif, we scooped him into the cab of our truck along with the grrrrls and went on a camping trip. Murphy had a ball -- big black nose pressed to the window while we were driving, lovely things to sniff at our campsites! He endured some very unseasonable weather for June in British Columbia without a whimper, wanted to go fishing with dad (not allowed, sorry, Murph), and managed to keep up with the grrrrls on a number of lengthy walks.

Totally amazed me that this guy could be so amiable, particularly after his treatment during the past year. We had no rows in the truck (other than the usual "Mommmm! HE touched me!!!;" issues), and none at all in the very close confines of the camper. The grrrrls think he is nearly as good as kibble-and-cottage cheese!