MURPHY - MINI BERNEDOODLE (MINIATURE POODLE/BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG)

State: NYC area
Age: 10 months
DOB: estimated 7/29/22
Weight: about 40lbs
Sex: male
Neutered/UTD: yes/yes
Coat Color: Merle tri color 
Children under 4: No (too nervous)
Children over 4: Yes
Seperation Anxiety: No
Other dogs: Yes
Cats: No (no history)
Crate Trained: Yes
House Trained: Yes
Obedience Trained: Yes
Leash Trained: Yes
MICROCHIP: Yes
ADOPTION FEE:  $675
 
(Since I’m a baby I need home with someone home more often. Ex: work at home, retired, at home parent, work opposite, etc).
 
6/03/23-Unfortunately after 3 months in his new home, they made the very difficult decision to bring Murphy back to rescue today. Their other dog never accepted Murphy from day one & is continuing to be very aggressive toward him. Even with several behaviorists & in home trainers, their dog just does not want to share her home with another dog. They said Murphy has completed his basic obedience (he was a STAR). He was also doing very well in doggy daycare two mornings a week to give him play & socialization with others. His current owners said Murphy is healthy, up to date with vaccinations & recently groomed. He has about 3-4 weeks of his heart medicine Vetmedin & his new owner won’t need to take him for a follow up Echo for another couple months. More updates soon from his foster mom. 
 
3/07/23-Murphy was adopted!
2/7/23-Murphy had his post heart surgery follow up Echocardiogram a few days ago with the cardiologist who did his surgery. The doctor said Murphy’s surgery looks perfect & also took his stitches out. He is still on Vetmedin 2.5mg twice a day (about $75/month) which is a chewable heart medication that helps the heart pump more efficiently. He may need this medication the rest of his life or it may be discontinued at his follow up Echocardiogram. His new owner will need to do this follow up Echo in 6 months with a canine cardiologist specialist, at their own cost. There also could be Echocardiograms or cardiac specialist visits needed in the future, we have no way to know at this point. Anyone that adopts Murphy needs to be able to financially handle his more extensive medical needs/possible needs. Murphy is safe to be able to be neutered in a few weeks so our vet will be doing that 2/27/23. Murphy will be able to be matched to his new home after that. He was also cleared to have his mop of hair groomed yesterday & he looks like a completely different dog! He is gorgeous with the best markings. More update soon from his foster home. 
 
1/24/23-When you’re recuperating from heart surgery you get away with things other fosters don’t. Yesterday my foster mom walked out of the room for a few minutes and I helped myself up on the couch. Don’t I look comfy?
We traveled back to my foster home on Saturday and I did really well in the car even though I was separated from my foster brothers. I didn’t realize how much I missed being home until I saw my familiar surroundings. I was so happy to go into the backyard. I could run again, we’ll I thought I could. Foster mom didn’t take the leash off me she walked me all around the yard to do my business. She said”Murph my Smurf, you’re restricted from running, jumping and doing all the crazy things you used to do until you get the stitches out, the doctor checks your heart and you get an echocardiogram”.  Those were just jumbled sounds to me. I have been trying my best to be a good patient – I take my meds, eat all my food, am starting to really walk good on a leash, go in the crate when I’m told but then the puppy comes out in me and I can’t help it. I have another week and a half before I go back to the cardiologist which I’m sure will be trying for both me and my foster mom as each day I feel better and better. Did I mention how grateful I am to all of you? I can’t forget how wonderful you’ve all been so that my surgery could be done. I’m furever (get it fur ever, I make myself laugh) thankful to you. 
Love, Murphy
 
1/18/23-Don’t I look great? Doesn’t even look like I had heart surgery does it, well I did. Thanks to all of you who donated and prayed for me. Foster mom and Aunt Nancy picked me up this afternoon and I was so excited to see them. They were given instructions that I need to have restrictions and I’m on a lot of meds but it’s all so that I will be able to heal. Once I heal, restrictions will be lifted! I know I’ll be able to handle the restrictions! The best part of my operation is how my heart is now beating. Foster mom was asked to put her hand over my heart and she was so excited to feel it beating normally. Aunt Nancy got a chance to feel my heart beating as well. They both couldn’t believe what a difference 24 hours made!  I was treated very well where I was but I have to tell you there’s no place like being home with your family. We’ll be staying with Aunt Nancy a few more days and then will travel back home. I’ll touch base with you in a couple of days and let you know how I’m doing. Again, thank you for all you did so that I could get my surgery.
Love, Murphy
 
 
1/17/23-Murphy’s surgery is over!! He did amazing and is in recovery with his personal vet tech Christine. I’m speechless over all of the outpouring of love, thoughts and prayers we are receiving for this special boy. Most of all I’m thankful for all of the donations SCBR received so that this surgery could be done.
He going to be restricted from running and playing for over a month while in foster care but I know he will be able to handle it. Just knowing that he’s going to have the life that he deserves will make it all doable!!  His foster brothers will keep a watchful eye on him!
I’m sure Murphy’s upset that he can’t let you know how he’s doing so when he comes home tomorrow I’ll probably let him give you an update!
 

01/15/2023 – Guess what??? We reached the amount needed for my surgery! SCBR cannot express their gratitude because they are simply astonished at the generosity of everyone so they’re letting me do it! 

Thank you! Gracias! Merci! Danke! Grazie! Obrigado! Mam’noon! Dhanyavaad! Xie`xie`

 You didn’t know I knew so many different languages did you – I don’t, I have to admit my foster mom helped me! She looked them up on the internet (she’s not that smart either).

I would like everyone to pray for me because my surgery is scheduled for this Tuesday, January 17th! I’m not nervous because I really don’t know what is going on, but my foster mom is. She tries not to show it but when she hugs me, I can feel something is upsetting her. Once my surgery is completed, I probably won’t be able to update you because I’ll be recovering but I promise you, I’m letting my foster mom do the posting and you will be the first ones to know. She promises that as soon as she can, the heads of SCBR will update their Facebook page and my page on the website.  And trust me, we won’t forget all of the volunteers of SCBR – they will send an email to all the groups associated with SCBR. My foster mom is starting to cry because she is just overwhelmed at the support of everyone, so she’s making me sign off because she needs a hug from me. Just think the next time you hear from me; my surgery will be over and I’ll be on the road to recovery and almost ready for my forever home!

Thank you – 2 simple words but they’re coming from all of the hearts of the people in charge of SCBR and my foster mom!

 

12/28/2022 – Before I tell you about what I’ve been up to these last few weeks, I have to thank EVERYONE who has donated so that I can get my heart surgery! As of this morning we have received $7,325 in donations toward the estimated $8,000 needed! My surgery is now scheduled for January 17th. I’m getting nervous as the day approaches (well, foster mom is) but I know that I’m in the best hands and soon, I’ll be all recuperated and ready for my forever home. 

 As much as I love living here, I’m told by my foster brothers, there’s nothing like a forever home, they get to do things fosters don’t (like sleep on the bed at night). I’m doing really well during the night; I’m starting to sleep in a little and let foster mom know when it’s time to get up and take me out. I’m still having house training issues, but foster mom said it’s the meds I’m on.

 Santa Claus came the other night and we all got new bones and fleeces. I am having a ball flipping up the bones, I love to go to town with it and all the other toys in the house!

 I love going outside, I can really run and chase leaves and I find branches and try to eat them….I don’t know why I want to but I’m a puppy. I get nervous when I hear sounds, I’m not used to it and either run to my foster brothers or mom for encouragement. Even though we’ve had some really cold weather here, it doesn’t stop me from wanting to be outside, after all this is a new experience for me. 

 Foster mom is very happy with my weight gain, the last time she weighed me I was 26.7 pounds. She said it shows I’m growing even with my heart condition. I get excited when it’s time to eat and as a puppy can be all over the place. Foster mom is teaching me to go to “place” before she’ll put my food down. I’m the last one to get served and I’m patiently waiting for her to place it down before I go to town. In the beginning, I’d be in each of my foster brothers’ dishes before realizing I had a dish of my own!

 Thank you again for all of your donations, we here at SCBR are just awestruck with how everyone is pinching in to help with my surgery!

 

12/15/22-Murphy is my foster puppy and he’s living life to the fullest, like any puppy should!  He has no restrictions and loves to run, play and get mischievous with his 2 foster brother dogs. He is showing true signs that he loves life!  Any financial help you can give so that Murphy can get his surgery is heartfelt appreciated!! Thank you! Debbie
 

12/06/2022 – After a brief stay at another foster home for my cardiologist (wow that’s a scary word) appointment, I came back to stay with my first foster family. I was so excited to see my foster brothers and a foster girl who is staying with us until she gets adopted. Foster mom thought it would be best to let me tell you how I’ve been living.

One thing for sure, I’m not living in a bubble! I run and play and do all the things a normal 19-week (yes, I got older, lol) puppy does! When we all go outside to do our business – which I have to say proudly my crate has been dry, ok I do have some accidents in the house, but I’m a playful puppy and have to learn to control myself…. wait, I was telling you about when I go outside, see puppy brain, I’m all over! When we go outside, I do my business and then I run all around the yard, chasing my foster brothers and sister. Oh, and there’s these things on the ground called leaves, I love to chase them and eat them! They don’t taste as good as my puppy food though!

I do love to eat and have been known to snoop and see what’s in everyone else’s dishes. They have no food aggression and neither do I because sometimes, I eat slower than them and they come over to see what I have to eat. Inside the house, I’m a typical puppy too! If something drops on the floor, I’m the first one to grab it and run. I also try to get on the couch and steal a pillow but that’s a little harder. You can’t blame a guy for trying, can you?

Foster mom tells me I need surgery because I have a congenital heart condition called PDA – patent ductus arteriosus (boy those are scary words for a puppy) and it costs a lot of money – more than just a couple of bags of dog food and cookies! I can tell you I’m a little nervous about the surgery but I want to live life to the fullest! 

So, if you would like to help us out by making a donation, it would be pawsome! Donations can be mailed to SCBR PO Box 374, COVENTRY, CT 06238 or click here to get PayPal link: https://secondchanceboxer.com/?page_id=659

Anything to help me is appreciated, foster mom says that I’m an awesome puppy and can’t wait to see me when I grow up (she doesn’t realize that I want to stay a puppy, no matter how old I get)! Let me go now, after all this writing, it’s time for a nap!

12/5/22-The cardiac surgeon is going to schedule Murphy in the next month or two for surgery to fix his heart.  The surgery technical name is Interventional transvascular PDA occlusion using Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder (ACDO). This version of surgery is little more expensive but has higher success rate, less complications & easier recovery.  This is because it is done via catheter rather than cracking open his ribs to do open heart type surgery. The estimate for surgery & pre & post visits is $8,000! We desperately need to get donations to cover these costs. We don’t have the money to pay for this but how do you go with alternative of putting him down or letting him die in a few months due to cardiac failure? He’s such a happy & sweet playful puppy that deserves a great healthy future. We won’t be taking applications to adopt Murphy until his surgery is complete & he has started to recover.  Donations can be mailed to SCBR PO Box 374, COVENTRY, CT 06238 or click here to get PayPal link: https://secondchanceboxer.com/?page_id=659

12/2/22-Murphy saw the cardiologist today & it was determined he has a congenital heart condition called PDA- patent ductus arteriosus.  PDA is characterized by a defect of the ductus arteriosus, a large blood vessel that fills the lungs with oxygen upon birth. PDA reduces the amount of blood pumped into the left side of the heart, which causes the heart to overwork and enlarges its left chamber. PDA sufferers face a 50% chance of a 1-year mortality rate if the condition is left untreated. We were referred to call the cardiac surgeon tomorrow to find out more about what can be done to save Murphy. This will not be cheap, into several thousands at least. We will know more in the next few days.
 
 
 
11/29/22-Murphy saw our vet today but did not get good news. He was very concerned & said the murmur was not minor, but at least a grade 4.  Murphy will see the cardiologist on Friday to get more info on his heart & his prognosis. Please keep Murphy in your thoughts as we learn more soon.
 

11/18/22–Murphy is a very unique colored 16 week old Mini Bernedoodle (Miniature Poodle/Bernese Mountain Dog).  He was saved from a puppy mill as he failed the health check for the mill to sell him as he has a heart murmur.  He arrived thanks to great groups of transport volunteers & overnight holds. He has a check up with our vet after the holiday on November 29th to see if we need to take him to the cardiologist or not. More updates soon from his foster hoNo (no history)