In 2013, a group of rescuers stumbled upon Murray and his three Weimaraner siblings at Dead Dog Beach in Puerto Rico, a well-known spot where abandoned pets are left to fend for themselves. These poor pups were just a few weeks old when they were rescued, already displaying signs of distemper, a deadly virus that attacks a dog’s nervous system.
Christina Beckles, the founder and president of The Sato Project, a Puerto Rican organization dedicated to rescuing stray dogs, shared with The Dodo, “As I was holding him on the examination table and giving him pets, I heard his jaw click – that’s a sign of distemper.” “There was no treatment available at that stage.” This could lead to the dog experiencing seizures and suffering from brain damage. Initially, Murray was euthanized as Beckles and the veterinarian believed it was the most humane decision. However, the vet had a change of heart when the moment came.
Beckles recounted how she tried to save the puppy by carrying him to the table, but sadly he didn’t make it. Murray was fighting a tough battle since one of his littermates had already succumbed to the illness. According to Cathy Meeks, a certified veterinarian at BluePearl Veterinary Hospital in Tampa, Florida, around 80 percent of puppies with distemper do not survive. The most effective way to prevent distemper is through vaccination. Unfortunately, Murray and his siblings had not received any vaccinations as they were stray animals.
Murray is still dealing with some health issues like minor seizures, but thanks to treatment, he has shown improvement. His skull has taken on a unique shape due to his past health struggles. While his face used to be perfectly symmetrical, his adoptive mother, Mackenzie Gallant, now describes it as slightly crooked. The top of his head has become quite flat as a result.
Most of Murray’s teeth had to be removed because of gum disease and tooth decay, causing his tongue to stick out of his mouth. However, for Gallant and her family – including her mom Kristina, dad Dennis, siblings Wesley and Eli, two rescue dogs named Pili and Fox, and their cat named Daphne – these challenges didn’t matter much. They welcomed Murray into their foster care in November 2013, and by the following month, just before Christmas, they officially adopted him.
“He’s my absolute favorite pup,” Gallant shared with a smile. “I absolutely adore him. Every night, he snuggles up in my room.” Even though Gallant returned home for college in 2016, she still stays connected with her beloved Murray as much as possible. “It was really tough leaving all my pets behind, but Murray holds a special place in my heart.” Nowadays, Murray still curls up in Gallant’s bedroom, and the two of them make sure to catch up and video call each other through FaceTime regularly.
Gallant mentioned, “Even when I’m at school, he still sneaks into my room with his pillow and blanket. He understands commands too – when you say it’s bedtime, he’ll run straight to my room.” Gallant makes sure to bond with Murray whenever she’s home, enjoying taking Fox, Murray, and Pili on leisurely walks as her favorite activity.
Gallant added, “He really loves going on hikes. It’s the highlight of the day for all three of our pets.” Whenever we ask, “Do you want to go for a walk?” they all start running. If one of my dogs starts howling, Murray will join in too. Gallant continued, “He’s thriving and he’s always full of joy. He loves all dogs and people equally.”
Even though it’s been four years since Murray was rescued, Beckles still fondly remembers him and is thrilled that he has found a great home. Beckles mentioned that this particular dog stands out from the rest, but that hasn’t changed his love for hiking and going on walks. He is treated just like the other dogs and is thriving in his new environment.
Beckles expressed, “Kristina (Mackenzie’s mom) and her family have been incredibly supportive from the start. I couldn’t have asked for a better place for him to be.”
