It is a special day at DeBerry Insurance as their longtime co-worker and canine companion, Murphy, celebrates his 15th birthday. For anyone who’s counting, that’s over 100 in “human” years!
Murphy is usually the first to greet any visitors to the agency’s Main Street office. He takes great pride in showing guests through the door and making sure they know where his treat drawer is, just in case!
“He definitely takes his role of being spoiled very seriously,” laughs Chris DeBerry, Murphy’s dedicated “mom.”
Murphy’s happy life helping out at the family business did not come to him so easily. The DeBerrys adopted him when he was a few months old. His start in life had been difficult, to say the least. His original owners did not spend much time with him and he spent many hours a day in his crate receiving little affection or attention. Isolation was especially difficult for him as a full-bred “Bichon Frise,” described by the American Kennel Company as a breed that is “extremely playful and cheerful.”
“A friend of ours helped us rescue Murphy,” recalled Chris. “His original owners knew they could not give him the care he needed. He found his way to us and right into our hearts.”
It didn’t take long for The DeBerrys to realize that Murphy would need frequent reminders of his newfound safety and companionship.
“He was happy as long as we were at home with him, but whenever we would leave, he would suffer from tremendous anxiety,” said Chris. “We certainly couldn’t leave him and go to the office all day. People think that Murphy is at work with us because he is so friendly. It’s true that he is friendly, but he also suffers from the effects of his early days. He has to be around people. He is happiest being here with us.”
At the ripe old age of 15, Murphy has had a few health battles in recent months, including a bought of vertigo that he coped with by being snuggled safely inside a pack-and-play donated by a coworker.
“Murphy is so special to us. We want to do everything we can to give him the happy life that he deserves,” said Chris. “Animals give so much love to us unconditionally. Every day that he is here, Murphy is brightening the lives of everyone he greets. We are celebrating his special birthday with love and appreciation here at DeBerry Insurance!”
