For weeks now, everyone at Homeward Bound has been following one family’s desperate search for their golden retriever, Murphy – who was lost at Lake Tahoe in early October during a family camping trip. She bolted when she heard gunshots. Being in unfamiliar territory, she was frightened and quickly lost.
She has made her way to South Lake Tahoe, where she has been regularly sighted near grocery stores, coffee shops and a hospital – likely eating from trash cans. But she is badly spooked, may be hurt, and is not coming to her family or other volunteers trying to aide in her return.
Many of Homeward Bound’s extended family have traveled to the area to assist with the search. As the weather turns, each day that she remains on the run brings bitter disappointment and greater distress.
This is the heartbreaking work of those involved in rescue. Lost dogs; abandoned and abused dogs; sheltered dogs with clocks running out. Sadly, not all will be saved.
This is also the heart-warming work of rescue. Many have traveled long distances to join in the search; hundreds have shared their prayers; thousands have shared the posts with their network of family and friends.
If you live in the area, and can assist, let’s bring Murphy home and write a heartwarming end to this story.
Gardens For Goldens 
Thank you for this post. She needs to get back to her family.
Thanks for traveling to help in her rescue 🙂 I have never known you not to accomplish something you set your mind to…so I expect her safe return with your help! Prayers…
My thoughts are with Murphy and his family. May he hear a friendly voice call out and respond.
Thank you, Judy – Murphy can use your good wishes today.
Gentle peace and a happy ending to Murphy!
Thank you 🙂
This is so sad. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and with Murphy.
Hopefully, we can make it end happily. Thanks for your good thoughts.
Grady has been there: lost, afraid and hungry. We’re both hoping that will end for Murphy real soon.
Thank you. All your good wishes are so appreciated! The power of positive thinking…
Hope that Murphy finds her way home.
Thanks Mary. Sadly, it is not looking good with snow falling now in the Sierras. Hope for miracles.
How heartbreaking for Murphy and her family, sending positive thoughts across the ocean in the hope that she is home with her family soon.
Thank you! All are needed. She was spotted again yesterday – and a tracker dog team will be there tomorrow to assist. Hopefully she will trust that all are there to help her.
Was this dog ever found?
Hello Mimi…he was! Miraculously, he was found a year later – not far from where he went missing. Here is the update post: https://gardensforgoldens.com/2014/06/17/hope-never-stops/