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
Weekly Photo Challenge: Lost in the Details
Thank you for all of your thoughtful comments and emails of sympathy in response to yesterday’s tribute for Theresa.
Sharing your kind, caring words and blessings meant a lot to the whole family at this difficult time. Thank you.
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The Weekly Photo Challenge
The theme this week seemed the most cryptic to me to decipher. I looked at the excellent example by Christopher Martin and read about how to go deeper into the scene. What to do when you are actually photographing. How to go “beyond the obvious”.
I didn’t go out and shoot specifically for the challenge but looked at what I had in my archives and tried to look into the photograph to see a whole new photograph within the image. Showing both photographs seemed the way to go so as to compare but I have decided to try to go with the challenge as intended, instead of justifying my edits.
One thing I learned- I photograph the obvious and need to consider the photograph hidden within the one that presents itself. We’ll see how it goes in the weeks to come. Intentional lost in the details photographs instead of edited ones I have already taken. I will look for the picture within the picture as I shoot.
My theme might have ended up being “Crop in the Details” as I try to not crop my images. Once I read about not cropping in an article Henri Cartier-Bresson.
So by looking for the “lost” part of the challenge I definitely “found” some new photographs.
Viewers can judge if the choices I made for the challenge are successful or not.
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Magnolia Bakery Window on Bleecker St
Guitar Pick on Piano Bench-
Peter King on Guitar
Murphy’s Nose
- St. Joseph Bread and Wine
Horseshoe on the Firehouse Wall
Car Wash Window
Downtown Birthday Hat
Icicles on Christmas Garland
Manicure and T-shirt Match
Self Portrait in the Lawn Ball
Ball and Basket in Nancy’s Pool
Watching TV in an Empty Box
Ivy on Brick
Weekly Photo Challenge: Home
Michael and Murphy
Home Game Home Plate
Homes on Hillcrest
Steve and the Newpaper
Croatian Homes and Roman Ruins
In the Sun Room in Omaha
Beechwood Boulevard Home
Maura and Mark at Home Asleep
Christmas Home
At Home Before Church
She’s Leaving Home
Over the Top Home in Daylight
Running to Home
Neighbor’s Home in a Lawn Ball
I can’t believe it took me so long to start responding to the Weekly Photo Challenges. All those challenges unanswered.
This week is home. The WordPress Weekly Challenge allows me to go through some archived files and think about the theme.
What I’m drawn to. What caught my eye.
No shortage of photos to post for home this week.
When I drive into my driveway after work I feel I am truly home. What makes you feel at home?
The gallery option isn’t really cooperating for me today. (Ooops. I read in the article Are You Boring? Seven Tips for Knowing if You ‘re Boring Someone on the Happiness Project blog by Gretchen Rubin to never mention computer problems)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Love
Love, love, love.
All you need is love.
Love is all you need.
I liked the Paris bridge photo with all the locks on it posted on WordPress’ Daily Post that tells what the weekly challenge is. LOVE!
My thought was some wedding couples. Went to the archives.
As I looked for the pics to post I saw a series I put up last Father’s Day and since it is Murphy’s 11th birthday I decided that he would be the one to best illustrate the definition of love.
I know Max and Mingus and Coltrane
and Rumpy Dog will agree I made the right choice for today’s challenge. Not sure how Isobelandcat feel about Murphy.
Happy Birthday Murphy. With much love from your family. You exemplify love! Pure and unconditional love.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Beyond
Beyond repair.
Beyond belief.
Beyond reasonable doubt.
Beyond recognition.
Beyond comprehension.
Beyond the fence.
Beyond the horizon.
Beyond the trees.
Faith in the Great Beyond.
Beyond that?
Beyond me.
Weekly Photo Challenge: My 2012 in Pictures
The suggestion of the WordPress Photo Challenge is to select 12 pictures to sum up the year. As I looked through the folders from this year’s collection and started to pull a few here and there, I remembered what an Art Professor’s comment when he went through my portfolio. ”Hmmmm. Peopled or unpeopled?” I was really mixing it up. You know how I love to find the unexpected- reflection, expression or scene.
Photograph what I am eating or where I am at the moment. When I look at this collection I am grateful for a patient and loving family who allows me to capture them in pictures. Like Matthew said at his college graduation, ” This is what my mom does. It’s annoying now, but later you’re glad.”
But my 2012 Pictures are Peopled! I read how some bloggers went to see which images received the most hits and then they would pick from those but some of my biggest hits aren’t from 2012. So this posting is to honor my grown up children’s Pop, who passed last month. As Matthew said to him, “look at all your descendants” when he showed him the photo of them gathered on the stairs.
You’ve seen some of these before if you follow the blog. Thanks for looking and clicking the “like” button or writing a comment this year.
Looking forward to 2013. Happy New Year!
Mark and Erika celebrated their ten year anniversary last August.
Maura Clare is 4 on November 17th
Four is a great age to be.
You’ve seen her pop bubble wrap. Eat cake. Pose with Murphy the Airedale. Run with her siblings across the lawn, carrying an Easter basket or a doll, wearing a red hat. Gardening!
It’s been a fast four years!
And the most recent shot below
Weekly Photo Challenge: Big
Weekly Photo Challenge: Big and the photo example was a ten foot long cheese.
A guest blogger today- my son Mark took this photo of Murphy by using forced perspective, making him appear BIG. Mark had been reading about forced perspective in Imagineering Disney brochures describing how this is done at the Disney Theme Parks. I tried the technique today with Flat Ruthie
Porch Light, Moon Light
Murphy sat on the back porch before bed. When I went to let him in, I saw a popcorn looking sky from the moon and the glow of the porch motion light- on and off, on and off- as he turned his head. The deck wood looked red.
No time to get a remote cable and eliminate camera shake.
A deep breath as I propped the camera against the edge of the sliding glass door. Depressed the shutter button while I held my breath. No worries that WordPress forgot to issue their weekly photo challenge.
On the Steps Ten Years Later
When my family left my house to return to their home in Ohio, they made a stop before they left the city.
Here’s what I received on my phone.
The four children and Murphy seated on the steps of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Polish Hill.
Anna (8+) photographed her parents on the steps. She has wanted to be guest blogger for a time.
And here is the whole family sitting on the steps of the church where they were married a decade ago.
At their reception I photographed Mark and Erika dancing at The Lamont- with FILM – ten years ago.
Now all I shoot is digital. I bought my first digital camera just before Anna was born- 10-10-2003.
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What a hot day it was- August 17, 2002!
Happy tenth anniversary!
(Photos used with permission)
“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.
Flag Spinning Skills Take Practice
Here we are in Aunt Linda and Uncle Frank’s front yard. Murphy resting in the grass.
Abigail was a flower girl in Mark and Erika’s wedding almost exactly ten years ago and now she is going into high school. Here she is demonstrating how to spin a flag- there are butterflies and figure eights and she has to do it left handed and right handed and toss it in the air and catch it. Anna and Maura were watching and I know I couldn’t do it. Even with practice. Her silk flag flowing in synchronized motion will add a lot to the half time show come fall.
Cool Pool and Walk Around the Neighborhood at Sunset
High 80s and no thunderstorms in sight. The pool was practically empty!
We got home for a late supper. Took a walk/ride around the neighborhood. You can see glimpses of the setting sun.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside
Inside seems simple enough. Until you start to read all the definitions and think about the multi-meanings
Cut and pasted from Your Dictionary - the dictionary you can understand
noun
- the part lying within; inner side, surface, or part; interior
- the part closest to something specified or implied, as the part of a sidewalk closest to the buildings
- INFORMAL the internal organs of the body, as the stomach and intestines
adjective
- on or in the inside; internal
- of or suited for the inside
- working or used indoors; indoor
- ☆ known only to insiders; secret or private: the inside story
- BASEBALL passing between home plate and the batter
adverb
- on or to the inside; within
- indoors
in or to the inside or inner part of
within the limits of: inside an hour
Murphy inside the van looking outside.
Cool enough on Friday to take Murphy to the Post Office so I could mail something. He WAS in the back seat. Moved himself up to the passenger seat while Maura and I were inside and wouldn’t budge for the short trip home. Yes, I worried about air bag deployment and the seat belt dinging alarm sound the whole way. We made it. He does have a harness that attaches to a seat belt for car trips.
We were safe inside the house as Mark held the iPad showing the violent storm while I shot the rain and blowing trees outside. This is the storm where Laura and James lost power for 5 days and Marlene and Donald( Roanoke VA) lost it for 8.
Maura waits inside looking outside for the guests.
Here is the inside of the ceramic fruit bowl Mary gave me when I visited her at Easter time.
The Jesus statue contained inside the clear box was photographed on this trip.
Old fashioned hats in Bedford Springs Resort display with the stairway banisters reflected
Challenge- How to show what one is feeling inside?
Check out fellow bloggers posts. Get the inside scoop.
Care, Compassion and Competence Plus a Quirky Sense of Humor with a Canine Skeleton
Shoot where you are. Still Columbus. Actually, Galena, OH on Monday afternoon.
Took Murphy to the Vet down the road as he broke a toenail on his hind leg and was limping around. The family had swim championships and so Maura and I drove him up to Cheshire Road just before Sticky Fingers Ice Cream. (Isn’t that a terrific landmark?)
We were welcomed and Murphy was remembered from his last visit. Received a compliment on his good manners. He’s a popular guy. One of the women had an Airedale at home and seemed to enjoy talking with Murphy and trying to find his favorite scratching spots. He weighed in at 71.9 pounds.
We were invited right into an examination room, past the cats in the carriers and another dog with the same malady. Not much time waiting in the waiting room. Hooray.
Once in the exam room, I looked up and there on top of the cabinets, I saw this Canine Skeleton dressed for the Fourth of July. You know with a birthday on the 4th, one has an eye for Patriotic decor. This one was a stand out. I asked for permission to photograph it as I thought it illustrated a good sense of humor. Told them I had a blog. You know I’ll tell that to anyone who will listen. Ha!
I was told this is the first time the skeleton has been dressed in female attire!
One of the techs told me they change the costume for the different holidays when I asked about the decoration. She said I should see it at Easter. The teaching skeleton gets a lot of comments from what I hear. Reminded me of the Museum of Natural History. I looked it up and a dog has on average 319 bones. Obviously there is a wide range in dog breeds from Chihuahua to Mastiff. No one knew the origin of this skeletal model but you can purchase anatomical sets (I saw on the google search) I am including a link to a canine quiz about dog anatomy and the three skeletal systems, sponsored by Ohio State University. You know how teachers like to learn stuff and share. I didn’t even know there were three skeletal systems. It’s pretty interesting.
Murphy did well and he’s sporting a bandage that will come off tomorrow.
Thanks to Dr. Carrie St. Clair at Don R Mann, DVM, Inc. for such excellent care.
Casting a Giant Shadow
You could really say it glowed-
We spent a good part of the day together, Maura (3) and I. Her brothers and sister at a swim meet for hours.
Got jammied up for nigh time.Then came out into the setting sun with Murphy and danced around in the driveway.
The angle of the sun does amazing things as it prepares to slip away for the day. Had just the iPhone with me.
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
Happy Birthday Mark
Love you, Ma
Anna, Her Best Friend, A Special Day
Just before we left for the church, Anna stood with Murphy.
He was sad he didn’t get to go in the car for a ride.
Friends and family gathered in to celebrate Anna making her First Holy Communion at St. Patrick’s, Columbus OH
I’m a proud grandma.
Just before going into the church to line up. Quiet contemplation
Murphy the Airedale Terrier’s Tenth Birthday
You’ve seen him many times on the blog. His endearing personality and stuffed animal appearance make him a satisfying (and willing) subject to photograph. He wants to be in the pictures with the family. I know some readers are not “dog people” but Murphy is an important member of the family and I know they will enjoy telling him he is “on the blog”!
The recent Weekly Photo Challenge: Peaceful, featured Murph under a shade tree in Hardy, VA and he was on earlier today, being patient as Anna and Maura put sock monkeys on his back.
I didn’t give him proper recognition for his TENTH birthday which is TODAY! January 24th!!
My sister sent the hat and bone from NYC and I photographed him on Saturday with his birthday treat.
I said,” Whatcha doin’ Murph?” and he stopped gnawing and looked up at me, so tolerant of old Grandma and her camera lens, frequently pointed in his direction.
An early post before Midnight so it is ON the day, not belated. Happy Birthday Murphy.
Slow Shutter and the Pink Sock Monkeys
When Anna was a baby I made her a sock monkey out of a pair of Rockford Red Heel Socks, just as I had done for her father when he was little. The sock monkey didn’t get much playtime and I didn’t make anymore for the other three grandchildren. At Christmas I noticed Anna using the sock monkey like a puppet with the other kids at breakfast. Everyone was laughing and she was enjoying playing with her(it is a girl and her name is Mrs. Sock Monkey) She asked me if I could make her a pink sock monkey. I said I didn’t know how I could because I didn’t know at the time you could buy PINK red heel socks.
Last weekend when I visited, the old sock monkey had not only a bed made from a Costco box, covered in blanket but there was a small basket added as a bunk with a junior sized sock monkey wrapped up in a hand knitted dishrag (the sock monkey was one of Murphy the Airedale’s former toys!- every dog needs a sock monkey).
And to Anna and Maura’s surprise, I showed up with two pairs of PINK red heel socks I found online. Laura brought over her portable sewing machine and I sat at the kitchen table stitching up the legs and arms. Anna helped stuff the limbs. The girls were really excited to watch the socks turn into monkeys. I embroidered the eyes and nostrils with some variegated cotton yarn I had as a knitting project.
The next morning as they were waiting to go to church, I had them open the front door to get some available light for a photo of them with their monkeys. Strawberry and Blueberry are their names. Blueberry has blue eyes like Maura and that’s how they can tell them apart. I used a 1/5 shutter speed -handheld -which is really not a good idea. Too much camera shake.
The snow in the night added some reflected light but the winter morning was fairly gray. Murphy decided to come and see what was happening outside and Anna thought he would make a good horse for the monkeys. Murphy didn’t even mind. He remained undisturbed even though Maura was squealing excitedly. Then Anna wrote sock monkey on the condensation inside the storm door glass. I love that all the fancy toys are ignored and the homemade bed out of box and a couple of pairs of socks, transformed into monkeys, delighted the girls. I told Anna how Aunt Mary and I went to the Sock Monkey Museum in Rockford, Illinois.
Murphy isn't even paying attention to a couple of riders!
Maura watches Anna make the sock monkey wave!
I remember writing on windows. The condensation invites it!
What is He Thinking?
What Is He Trying to Say?
Murphy the Airedale. Again. I was sifting through files and saw him looking at me. This was shot at Thanksgiving time in Hardy, Virginia. The day we were attempting the Christmas card photo with the kids all in red.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Peaceful
Photographed during a family visit to Hardy, Virginia. Labor Day Weekend 2006. I like the green and warmth in this photo as it is white, cold and gray in Pittsburgh today.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Peaceful Click here to view fellow bloggers responses to the weekly photo challenge. Their links are in the comments section. A wide variety of photographs.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Celebration
Murphy the Airedale Terrier is an important part of the McGrath family. Here’s his birthday party 3 1/2 years ago in the kitchen.
In this photo, Erika is expecting Maura Clare- who just turned 3 after Laura and James’ wedding in November. No more jumpy seats in the house these days.
I was trying to decide if Laura had already met James when this celebration shot was taken.
Murphy didn’t get to eat one of his cupcakes but we all did. Well, that was AFTER we sang Happy Birthday. Seriously. The kids loved it!
It was a happy celebration and the excitement level was high, even though it was just before bedtime. Creating family rituals and traditions makes for happy memories later.
You might not believe me but Murphy not only poses, he smiles for the camera! That night grandson Michael hid from the lens, though.
Weekly challenge links to other blogger’s responses to the challenge are here
Check out those doggie cupcakes with the pink chewing gum tongues.
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