Murphy died March 15, 2013 at home where he belonged and the place he seemed to love the most.  

Known by the AKC as Culbertson’s Black Tumbleweed, Murphy was born in Nebraska and arrived with us in Ft. Collins a few days short of the blizzard of 2003.  Although we suspect he was probably misunderstood by many folks most of his life, Murphy epitomized what it meant to be a dog – he was warm, exuberant, loving, and often annoying, but he just wanted to be around his people.  He traveled with us everywhere, both near and far.  He swam, hiked, slept, snored,barked, barked some more, and dreamed in ways that only Labradors can.  His boundless need for attention, coupled with his frenetic enthusiasm, kept us on a constant state of alert.  His absence in our home has created a huge hole that is now filled with an eerie, unpleasant, and mostly sorrowful silence.  The cancer that consumed him came quickly and we are pleased for him in this way.   For those of us who remain, we miss him terribly.  We are certain, however, that wherever it is that dogs go, the Rainbow Bridge or someplace else, he’s running, barking, eating sticks, and sitting on the couch without pain or fear. 

We miss you, Murphy.  Be well my friend.  Love, Bob and Kelly