WHOEVER SAID YOU CAN'T BUY HAPPINESS...NEVER OWNED A PUPPY.

 SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW - At 5:30 p.m. on August 9th as the rain came pouring down and thunder rolled across the heavens our precious Murphy Parker crossed over the rainbow. For right at fifteen years, he was a joy beyond measure, a grounding force and a source of pure love in our lives. In 2007 as a tiny pup of ten weeks of age he flew from Iowa and landed in our loving arms and our adventure began. Having just lost Zippos Old Gold, our stallion of 23 years, our hearts were completely shattered and this furry bundle of wonderful healed our hearts in his little wise dog way. There was just something amazingly knowing and full of old dog wisdom in your eyes from the very beginning. You were amazingly smart, wanted to please so much and the easiest puppy ever to house train. I was the one to find you, the one to pick you out and I know you loved me so very much, but each dog chooses who their person is and you chose Tommy. You were his little man and that was just the way it was. Just as Barney was my constant, you followed your Daddy around and was so content to be at his side. It was wonderful to see the unspoken bond the two of you had. As you neared the end the only thing that seemed to give you comfort was being close to Daddy. You were our ever-constant companion. From day one you were always with us. From the barn, the breeding lab to riding on the golf cart, you were happy as long as you got to be with us. It's as if, from the very beginning you knew your job was to fill our hearts with love, and you did your job so well. You brought joy and a new spark to the life of your older brother Barney who was left alone after the loss of Rio. You became the teacher and big brother to your sister Lola who outgrew you many times over but spent her entire life loving you and always letting you “win”. When we went hiking, you loved walking with us, and when your little legs tired after two miles or so, you were content to ride in the backpack on Dads back! Just the very sight of your dog carry bag or better yet, your stroller, you were game for any adventure. You loved road trips; you loved having the wind in your face as you looked out the window. Camping was also a big joy for you as you and Barney cuddled with your human cousins when they came along and shared a bed with you. You loved people and never met a stranger. That is probably why you loved playing Toto in the Wizard of Oz. You loved your director and all of your cast mates. You looked forward to ever rehearsal and seemed to know your way around the theatre. You especially loved greeting your audience and seemed to honestly feel they came just to see you. For over three months you were Toto in every sense of the word!! We were so delighted to see you so happy!!For fifteen years you slept between us. Most often touching both of us in that special way you did. It's as if you needed to feel both of us as you drifted off to sleep. For fifteen years, every single morning I gave you a full body massage from your ears to your toes to start your day. You led a wonderful and enchanted life full of love and joy. We were not ready to say goodbye, we would never be ready. You took that decision out of our hands and made it your own. To say we are shattered beyond repair is only putting it lightly. To say we will miss you for the rest of our lives goes without saying. Lola is so lost without you as you have always been with her. I pray that as you made your journey over the rainbow that your big brother Barney was waiting right there to greet you. Wait for us, Lola is probably not far behind you, and we are sure to follow one day. In my heart, I know the five of us will be together again….. Until then, I will carry you in my heart. We love you forever little man. Dale Parker August 09, 2022