Murdock was rescued from a dog hoarder in CA. He was one of 250 dogs on the property. He had very little contact with people and was in constant danger of being attacked by larger dogs. He was extremely fearful of everyone and everything when he came to Deer Creek. He has made wonderful progress in his new home. Following is a recent update from his new Mom.

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HE DID IT!!!! Murdock graduated from Doggie School Saturday. Attached is his graduation picture!!!

When he started the class, he was scared of EVERYTHING. Our goal was simply to get him to the point that he stopped shaking at everything new. Well, let me tell you. He went way beyond my expectations and that of the trainers'.

While he hasn't quite gotten the "sit" position down pat, when I tell him to sit he lays down. So he's learned that. He knows what wait means and we're working on "stay". He is so comfortable now around other people it isn't even funny. He just quietly walks over to people and stands there as if to say, "Hi. I'm Murdock. I'm cute and want to be petted." And he loves the attention.

He's still not crazy about other dogs. But that's a fear that he had to live with for the first 15 months or so of his life. And it was a deeply imbedded fear because he got attacked so much. But we're working on that. At graduation, we were inside (as opposed to the other classes when we were outside). Murdock was off leash the whole time and totally ignored the other two dogs who were on leash. He wandered around the room and seemed happy to greet people as they came in. A couple of times he would go and stand next to where I was sitting if he wasn't sure of something. But after a minute or two, off he went again exploring around the room.

A couple of weeks ago, I took him to the beauty shop with me. He had been there 6 weeks before and was very unsure of the whole setting. The second time, he was going up to be petted by strangers and loving the attention. But the most amazing thing happened. One of the hairdressers has a husband who is a quadriplegic and in a motorized wheelchair. His name is Danny. Well, Danny was at the shop that day and he and Murdock became pals. He had me put Murdock on his lap where he could get a good look at him and pet him (he has some movement in his right arm and hand). Murdock laid on Danny's lap and was very comfortable, although I was standing next to the wheelchair and Murdock back up so his little rear end was touching my legs, sorta as a security blanket). Everywhere that Danny went, Murdock watched to see where he was. And whenever he had the chance, he would go over to Danny to get petted (Danny could move his arm so that he could rub the top of Murdock's head). After a while, Danny asked if he could take Murdock for a walk!!! With great trepidation, I took a deep breath and said yes. So I looped the leash over Danny's hand and off they went. Murdock walked right next to the wheelchair. He wasn't afraid at all. He didn't try to get away or squirm or anything, except walk right next to Danny. It was pretty amazing to see this little dog, who a few months ago was afraid of his own shadow, walking so politely and happily down the sidewalk with this stranger in a wheelchair!!!! It sure brought tears to my eyes.

Our neighbors across the street live on an acre of land. I try to take Murdock over there a couple of times a week to let him run in the backyard. He absolutely loves that. He's also learning, while we're there, to walk with me across the yard, OFF leash. When I say, "Let's walk", he comes over to me and follows me. When I stop, he stops and lays down, waiting until I give the command to walk again. That's really amazing.

Murdock has also gotten to the point that he will lay on top of my stomach while I'm on the couch and take a nap. It's so cute!!!
Yesterday,we were both dozing together. The trainer said that dogs don't like to have their feet touched. When I have Murdock napping on me, I gently touch and massage his feet. He doesn't seem to mind it at all. He even let me rub between his toes.

So, I guess Murdock is my little Christmas miracle. I am so happy and blessed to have him in our home. He's just so cute. And I think he's learning to trust humans and is learning to like us, too.

Just wanted to give you and update on this amazing little dog. I hope all of you get to meet him some day.

Love,

Mary Ellen