Bob and Whiskers – 1955 – Guest Blog Post
This guest post is in response to Murphy the Airedale’s passing. We are grateful to so many friends and followers for their lovely email and text messages and comments on the blogpost, too. Many of you have experienced pet loss and understand how painful it is.
On Wednesday morning, my neighbor Bob (from across the hall at school) brought me a copy of this wonderful photograph with 1955 written in the margin. It touched me so. Later in the afternoon I asked if I could please share it on the blog.
Here is what Bob wrote for the blog when I asked if it would be okay to post………..
This picture of my dog Whiskers and me was taken in 1955 with an second-hand camera that had light leak. My oldest sister took this photo. He was a mixed terrier. On July 4th, 1957 my pal was attacked by a very large German Shepherd and he passed away 2 days later. I was 6 in this picture. My buddy was 5.
After 58 years, I have never forgotten what a great family member he was and I still miss him. This is on the Southside of Pittsburgh.
My face and hands and my pup were as dirty as the air we breathed back then.
There was a song on the radio that came out just about the time of my dog’s passing. It was ” I’m saving my money to buy you a rainbow“. Whenever I hear or think of that song, it takes me back to those wonderful days with my dog Whiskers, when “life was in black and white”.
Murphy the Airedale- A Family’s Best Friend
Murphy Joseph McGrath. Murphy passed today. He just turned 11. He was patient, loving, loyal, humorous and adored by everyone. What a personality!
It is a very sad day for the family.
If you’ve been following the blog you’ve seen his photograph many times. I swear he smiled for the camera.
He was one of the first posts on the blog, Murphy Waits for Michael.
So many of you expressed sympathy recently on the passing of Erika’s parents Italian Greyhound, Cleo. It’s been a hard month.
Today’s tribute is for Mark and Erika’s, Anna, Michael, Jack and Maura’s dear sweet boy- Murphy!
When Mark and Erika brought each of the babies home from the hospital, Murphy was there to welcome them into the family. Murphy was a pup before M & E got married. He was a loving and well loved member of the family. ( Erika would get mad at me if I called him “dog”)
There are no words to describe the sadness, the missing. You may remember the photos from his Tenth Birthday post last year.
Anna is nine now but here she is just home from Mercy Hospital
Murphy’s favorite tree in Virginia. He represented for the Weekly Photo Challenge: Peaceful. 
Photographed by Erika
In Hardy Virginia
Rest in Peace Murphy
A Tribute to Cleo- A Much Loved Italian Greyhound
Sixteen in dog years is getting up there. 112. But no matter if a faithful dog is old or ill, she is going to be sorely missed. She was well loved and cared for but she got sick and just couldn’t get better.
Cleo and her sister Xena, who passed on before, came as tiny puppies many Christmases ago to live with Donald and Marlene, my daughter-in-law’s parents. I heard the story that they were about the size of mice. Cleo and Xena traveled to visit the family every visit. And they would greet us eagerly when we all drove down to Virginia for Labor Day or Thanksgiving or Memorial Day weekends.
Italian Greyhounds grace many an oil painting or tapestry in the world’s museums. This special dog, Cleo,was a much loved member of the family. It’s a sad day.
Sympathy and love to you Marlene and Donald. I know you will miss her terribly.
Xena and Cleo, sisters, in happier days
Three Dog Ride – Weekly Photo Challenge: Unique
Three Dog Ride in Central Park NYC
WordPress puts out the Weekly Photo Challenge and this week it is UNIQUE.
I tried to find photos that seemed a tad quirky and not an everyday shot.
Some may be familiar to you if you follow the blog. One of a kind?
Fun to go fishing for some examples for unique.
Some kids watching the Penguins at the Zoo. No relation!
Work Boots Planter on Arlington Ave. Pittsburgh
Tree Stump Grinch
At the Food Truck Festival in Columbus. Still don’t get why you’d walk around with a Boa Constrictor draped around yourself.
Why I photographed the twisted carrots on this placemat is beyond me……
Fuzzy Dice in the Fourth of July Parade
Lewis Center, Ohio
Black and Gold Rosary in Bloomfield Religious Store (STEELERS colors for those who don’t live here)
Unique Backpack at the Food Truck Festival Columbus OH
Pink Toilet in the Snow
Kiss My Grits Santa in Roanoke VA
Looks like a stone table in the street
Black Dog, White Kitchen Cupboard, Remote Cable and Presto-
Meet Charlotte- 1/2 Husky, 1/2 Shepherd. The runt of the litter four years ago at James’ sister Kim’s farm Red Rooster Acres. She was visiting her cousin Penny.
It was Sunday night visiting Laura and James before the Tony Monaco Show at the Rumba Cafe. I tried to photograph her in the living room, sans flash of course, and it was too dark. So I asked if I could photograph her in the kitchen. I had read that photographing a dog with black fur can be a challenge.
Using the white of the kitchen was the key and my new cable release. And the cooperation and attention of Charlotte. I swear she smiled. Thanks Shawn (James’ cousin) for allowing me to post her portrait today. When you look at her you can see she is not looking at me, but Shawn!
(My mother’s mother’s name,too)
Murphy Waits for Santa
Kids asleep. Presents wrapped. The adults listening to Vince Guaraldi. The homemade cookies left for Santa on a special plate but I have to tell you this is the first I’ve seen a bowl of raw cauliflower and another of water for the reindeer. We always did carrots.
I was looking for a paper clip to try to weave in a loose end of yarn on a knitting project/gift and Marlene produced a package with two yarn needles! Talk about timing. We went to the four o’clock and then Mark and Matthew picked up Persian takeout- another first for Christmas Eve.
Definitely a foggy Christmas Eve. Laura and James coming in the morning. All is quiet, all is calm. Wishing all blog readers a peaceful day, whatever you’re doing on the 25th.
The Paper Anniversary- The First
Happy First Anniversary Laura and James. It was a happy wedding. There’s a list of traditional and modern wedding anniversary gifts for each year here. I knew that the first anniversary was paper.
Laura took this photo of the paper items I sent to them to mark the occasion. James said he came home from work to find some large boxes on their front porch and had no idea what was in them. I know I had fun thinking about sending the paper products and figured it would be a gift that would get used. Actually, used up! Shipping was free!
James had the idea to call me on SKYPE and here they are at home talking to me.
Last week at breakfast in Columbus at First Watch
and the weekend they came to help me with the House Concert in Pittsburgh
with Penny the Golden Doodle
The Six Months Photo Shoot in Short North Columbus Ohio
“It’s Annoying Now, But Later You’re Glad”
Laura’s 29th birthday. She says it is her FIRST 29th birthday. The family gathers on the front porch because most of them are nearby.
This year I didn’t run around and get in the photograph. Just wanted them. I’ll put it on the fridge. Look at it until we’re all together again. In the middle of winter I’ll glance at this August evening, celebrating Laura’s birthday and be glad I have the picture.
Not too many people really want their photo taken. Maybe a few. The family allows me to photograph them one more time.
They’re gracious and they love me and they know it’s what I like to do.
They probably wonder when I’ll get tired of wanting to photograph them but they don’t complain. Much. Photographing them while they ignore me is easier.
Of course, I want the shot where everyone is with me and looking pleasant on this occasion. Ha. Erika says to me, “Good luck with that!”
I get it the best I can.
Don’t want to drag it out too long, make it quick, Just SHOOT!
Thanks family. Matthew is the one who said to his friends at his college graduation ” This is what my mom does. It’s annoying now, but later you’re glad.”
Penny the Golden Doodle with Lala and James on their front porch.
And Maura and Murphy pose for Mark. Caught them from the side as he got them to look at his phone.
Bikers Greet Misty Across the Cul-de-sac
I wanted to use the word cul-de-sac on the blog ever since I’ve been visiting the family. Just don’t write or use that word in my daily life in the city. Nice for safe bike riding after supper.
Three out of four took a break to greet the neighbor’s lovely dog, Misty. We sat in the driveway and watched until the sun went down and it was time to come in and get ready for bed. Although it was a hot day, the evening temp dropped and it was a perfect summer evening.
For My Son on Father’s Day
Last year my Father’s Day post was honoring my father and this year I am honoring my son who is a wonderful father (along with Erika their wonderful mom) to the four children pictured- Anna, Michael, Jack (John) and Maura.
Murphy is an important part of clan so while I watched the kids tonight and we were playing in the back yard I tried to get a shot of each of them for the Father’s Day post, the 1000th post!
Happy Father’s Day Mark!. love, Mom
When a Dog Smiles at the Camera
You have to take a picture. I asked the owner’s permission. She looked as if she had just been on a run or about to go on one with some friends.
His name is Oliver!
Oliver is a Heinz 57 mutt and he was smiling for the camera!
He’s six months old and has that puppy energy and enthusiasm. What a happy guy.
I’d just come out of the end of the year faculty meeting/gathering at the Hofbrauhaus on the edge of South Side Works near the riverfront trail.
So thanks Oliver (and your owner also- sorry I didn’t get your name)
I know Murphy smiles for the camera, too.
What a great personality! 
Rusty the Long Hair Dachshund Chases a Spot of Light
While in the middle of a friend’s photo shoot of vintage clothing, her mother’s long haired dachshund started following my watch reflection and chased it all around. I’ve never seen a dog exhibit this behavior. Trying to capture it was spontaneous and difficult as the watch was on my left wrist and the camera in my right hand. No chance to focus. It was just happening. Stop action seemed the best way to try and show the motion. Min Pin Tigger makes a cameo appearance.Wish I had a real video to show it better.
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