In 2013, Murray and his three Weimaraner brothers and sisters were found by rescuers on Dead Dog Beach in Puerto Rico, a notorious spot for abandoning pets. Even though they were only a few weeks old when rescued, Murray and his siblings were already showing symptoms of distemper, a dangerous virus that affects a dog’s nervous system.
Christina Beckles, the mastermind behind The Sato Project in Puerto Rico, recounted a touching moment with a pup under her care to The Dodo. “As I was soothing him on the table, I felt something unusual in his jaw – a symptom of distemper,” she shared. “Sadly, there was no cure at that time.” This illness posed a risk of seizures and potential harm to the dog’s brain. Initially, Murray was put down as Beckles and the vet believed it was the most humane choice. However, the veterinarian had a change of heart when the time came.
Beckles shared how she introduced Murray to the family table, where he happily wagged his tail, but unfortunately, he did not pull through. Murray’s odds were low, especially since one of his littermates had already passed away from the same illness. Dr. Cathy Meeks, a specialist at the BluePearl Veterinary Hospital in Tampa, Florida, explained that 80 percent of puppies with distemper do not survive. Vaccination is the best way to protect against distemper, but Murray and his siblings, who were living as strays, had not received any vaccinations.
Murray continues to face health challenges such as occasional seizures, but he has been responding well to his treatment. Due to the effects of distemper, his skull has taken on a distinctive shape. Mackenzie Gallant, his loving adoptive mother, observes that his once symmetrical face now appears slightly uneven, with a flatter top of his head.
Most of Murray’s teeth had to be removed due to gum disease and decay, which caused his tongue to hang out of his mouth. However, for Gallant and her family – consisting of her parents Kristina and Dennis, brothers Wesley and Eli, two rescue dogs called Pili and Fox, and their cat Daphne – these health issues were no big deal. They took Murray in as a foster in November 2013, and by the following month, just in time for Christmas, they officially welcomed him into their caring household.
“He’s the best dog,” Gallant said with a grin. “I love him so much. He sleeps in my room every night without fail.” Even after going off to college in 2016, Gallant stays closely connected with Murray. She said, “Leaving all my pets behind was really hard, but Murray is extra special to me.” Murray still lounges in Gallant’s room to this day, and they frequently chat over FaceTime to catch up.
Gallant shared, “Even when I’m away at school, he manages to slip into my room with his pillow and blanket. Murray knows the routine well. When it’s time for bed, he excitedly darts up to my room. Gallant always makes an effort to bond with Murray whenever she’s around. Her go-to activity is going on relaxed walks with Fox, Murray, and Pili.”
Gallant enthusiastically shared, “Our furry friend absolutely adores our daily hikes. It’s definitely the best part of the day for our pets.” All we have to do is say, “Who’s ready for a walk?” and they all eagerly start running. If one of our dogs lets out a howl, Murray immediately joins in. Gallant also expressed, “He’s doing great and is constantly in high spirits. He loves both dogs and people alike.”
It has been four years since Murray was adopted, but Beckles still holds him close to her heart and is grateful that he has found a loving forever family. Beckles notes that Murray may seem unique, but in reality, he is just as full of energy as the other dogs, loving hikes and walks just as much. All the furry friends in the household are treated with equal amounts of love and care.
Beckles also mentioned, “Kristina McKenzie’s mother and her family have been absolutely amazing from the very beginning. I couldn’t have wished for a better environment for him.”
