R.I.P. Laddy Murphy van het Adelaarsvaren (Murphy)

[Martha & Sjoerd Klaucke]

Born, 10th august 2001.

Died, 24th august 2014

Murphy has lost the fight against Spondylosis. We have an awful lot of grief, but we have the most beautiful memories of you. That no one can take away. As a pup you came to live with us. However, you have chosen us. You have sold yourself to us with your charms and as the sweetest puppy. But you were a little red devil. In 13 years we never had 1 second regret, you were the most sensible dog, and you had humor and very good manners. You have let us laugh every day, 4706 day. Days we have with and true you enjoyed. Every Sunday you went out to dinner with us, each dish you have tasted you ate of our fork. You did not like fish or salad, but you loved to taste all the other food. People we had never seen before invited you, not us, to sit by their table, and you did. For six years you were our only child and you went wherever we went. Weekends and holidays, you came along, driving convertible car, became you're hobby. You have seen and tasted a big part of Europe together with us. In Florence people stood still when they saw you, they shout “Oh che bello”. (what a beauty) On the Christmas market in Düsseldorf, you were still a puppy sitting on you daddy's arm, you licked every passing person. In the finest hotels you stayed, where you were the first one who always checked the bed and jumped for the bathroom sink to look at yourself in the mirror. In 2008 we bought you a little brother, Nelson an English Setter. It was not easy for you, but you guys became best friends. Also that year, Sjoerd, your daddy, had to undergo a triple bypass surgery in Germany of all places. You were my support and partner in worry and my boy that made me smile in these difficult times. We lived together for 11 days in a nice hotel and the staff at the hotel fell in love with you. When I was in the hospital the maids took you for a walk. At breakfast outside on the terrace, the locals wished you “Guten morgen der Murphy”. Without you I could not have managed these terrible times.
In 2009 you got another little brother, Jimmy an Irish Setter, mom and dad finally got married and all you three where there. One month later the five of us took a plane together and we emigrated to Jeffreys Bay in South Africa. This has been our new home since.
You enjoyed the garden, swimming pool and every morning your walks on the beach with daddy, Nelson and Jimmy. I called you “The Beach Boys”, the four most important men in my life. Together the Big 5 from Jeffreys Bay.
In December 2012 the vet took X-rays because your back was sensitive and discovered it was spondylosis. The next week we went for acupuncture in Port Elizabeth. You felt good and enjoyed the attention. The vet's ad nurses in PE fell in love with you and every time they spoiled you with treats. For 18 months you had the acupuncture.
The last year the spondylosis got worse, but you remained a happy, naughty, sweet dog child and still made us smile with your silly things. We bought a special dog-wheelchair in the USA so you still could go to the beach, but after a few times you did not want to use the wheelchair anymore. Like a proper Irish Setter you wanted to walk by yourself. So instead of going to the beach you still walked in the garden and enjoyed the swimming pool, without swimming of course. You just laid in the shallow part. You still liked your walkies and said hello to the neighbours, you were always a people-dog.
The spondyloses progressed and got worse, you became incontinent and lost your urine, but we had a solution. A belt with a Tena Men ….you thought it was no problem.
The last six months you were on painkillers and still loved life. We celebrated your 13th birthday with a dog birthday cake and we decorated the house for you. You enjoyed every minute. The next day after your birthday you had your acupuncture treatment. At the vet in PE they decorated the vet room, they were singing and you got a big basked with treats and special food. You were so proud and happy, but we had a secret cry when we saw all the love and attention.

After this the spondyloses got very bad in a matter of days, you could hardly walk, but still wanted to live life. You wanted to go in the pool, so we carried you in to the garden every day.

The 24^th of august was a terrible day. Your back was now completely paralyzed, but you still wanted to go in your garden. We carried you there and you crawled to the pool. Our hearts broke to see you like this. You looked at us hopeless and helpless. You were not happy anymore, you looked at us with your beautiful eyes that asked us “please help me”. We had to listen to you, we called the vet and asked him to come to put you to sleep.

For the last time with the Big 5 of us, on your bed in the living room. We said goodbye, we were close to you and gave you lots of kisses. Luckily you did not have to say goodbye to us. You just went to sleep. It went so quick and so peaceful, but so very difficult for us. We are so proud of you. Nelson and Jimmy were next to us on your bed. We rose a glass of wine with the vet on your life. We cut some hair of your neck and tail and put in a special antique box with an engraved setter in the lid.

The vet took you to his practice and we picked you up the day after. We went together with your two dog friends and brought you to the crematorium. The last time with the five of us in the car. A last drive for you, the most difficult drive for us, with a lot of tears and a few laughs. After the crematorium we walked with Nelson and Jimmy in a lovely park next to the crematorium. Here was a beautiful arbour, where we remembered Murphy, with his favourite cookie’s.

After a few day’s your ashes returned home. We’ve put this in your special box. Now you are on the side table in the living room, so you can overlook and can control that is happening. Every day your mommy picks flowers from your garden and puts it next to your photo and box. We are together again, with the five of us.

Murphy, you will be in our hearts forever. You were the most special child and the best kisser in the world. We will meet each other at the Rainbow Bridge.

With all the love, your Mommy and Daddy forever.

[Eva]

What a tribute - so full of love, one day you will meet again...

[Martha & Sjoerd Klaucke]

Thank you so much eva, means a lot for us.

[James Doran]

Murphy, a life well lived and loved. My sincerest condolences.

[Sue Paterson]

That's a lovely memorial to your much loved and treasured boy. My deepest sympathy is with you . At last Murphy can run free again at Rainbow Bridge.

[Catherine Carter]

What a lovely tribute and so many memories to cherish....Murphy was so loved and had so many happy moments with you....I am so sorry for your loss  xxxxxx

[Ellen Turberfield]

Lovely tribute, to your much loved Murphy, sorry for your loss X

[Susan Andrews]

So sorry for your loss, it is so hard when they leave us.  

Your words show how much he was loved and what a wonderful life he had,  happy memories.