Captain Murphy 1: Alligator 0
It feels like yesterday. It was a hectic Month. I worked a strenuous job full time at the time, ran a full time farm on top of that. We had 7 cute little puppies from Captain Murphy and Raven’s litter to tend as well. The general routine was as follows: Take care of the farm, go to work, take the puppies out for potty in the front during breaks and lunches, check on the animals, go back to work, do night rounds on the farm, make dinner. During the evening, I am answering questions, consulting, and taking care of the dogs.
Most people work a full time job to cover farm costs. When you add 7 puppies to the mix, on top of 7 adult German Shepherds, and hundreds of other animals outside, it gets to be overwhelming but it is worth it. Running a larger farm and working full time is a task on it’s own, but very doable. With dedication and time management, it’s all doable.
Living on a farm, predators are always expected to come visit. We have dealt with racoons, opposums, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, rats and snakes, but never an Alligator. We have a waterfront property therefore it was bound to happen eventually. We were lucky for the first decade or so, however July of 2019 was the encounter that we least expected.
July 1, 2019
Around 4 pm on July 1, Captain Murphy was involved with a fairly large alligator. He got in between me and the alligator during a routine potty break with him, Raven, and the 7 puppies. The alligator pulled him in the lagoon and Murphy was able to get out on his own after a struggle. He was rushed to the Emergency Animal Clinic and they were able to determine the next steps. He lost some teeth, had some lacerations including a big one on his belly. The main concern was infection and then his leg. He had an obvious broken right front leg. He also lost one of his canines and a molar tooth in the process probably due to fighting to escape. Around 11 pm that night the veterinarian called us and let us know that he had a clean break. He fractured his radius and ulna bones. It is fixable so we got sent over to a specialist next door to take a look. They sutured his lacerations and put a drain in and we have surgery on his leg scheduled on Tuesday. Captain Murphy has a good prognosis but also a long road to recovery as his leg heals. He is truly blessed and extremely lucky.
July 8, 2019
Surgeries are not cheap. Unfortunately we had to save up some funds so we could get Captain Murphy the care he needed. It was safe to wait for at least a week but after that a surgery to repair his leg was needed. Surgery was done on July 8, 2019. We chose to put in a metal plate vs pins as the risks were lower. We waited until the Wednesday to pick him up.He got out of surgery and did great. They put him on some heavy narcotics and he got a new cast on. The other wounds were healing well as well.
July 10, 2019
We finally were going home! Murphy got a blue cast and lots of pain meds. The first night was a bit rough.
July 11, 2019
Captain Murphy’s sisters Echo and Laney enjoyed keeping him company as he really wanted to be on the couch. With restricted exercise he is a bit anxious but his sisters helped ease him.
July 12, 2019
Its hard to keep a farm protector on bed rest. We do have to assist him down the stairs to avoid any movement to his leg. His shaved spots are getting itchy. We use Spurrs Big Fix to help with the wound and skin healing process. Captain Murphy got some observing time outside while I drank my coffee.
July 22, 2019
Captain Murphy got his sutures removed and a red cast today.
July 29, 2019
Follow up went well. Everything is healing and we are on track. Some discomfort but hoping we can resolve that We got a green cast today
August 4, 2019
Murphy has been on limited activities, therefore we had to do something fun. We decided it was time for him to have his own instagram channel to share his recovery life but also to show all his farm friends. If you want to join his page, he would love you join his instagram page!
August 5, 2019
It is hard to believe it’s been a month since we dropped Captain Murphy off to get his leg surgery from his encounter with an 8 foot alligator. We found out later, it was a 9-10 foot gator. We have had follow up appointments weekly since the surgery but he is healing and will be back to enjoying and protecting the farm very soon. I had to reschedule his appointment this week to Thursday morning so hopefully we have a count down on when that cast and cone of shame is coming off.
August 8, 2019
August 12, 2019
Captain Murphy started going back to “work” as part time. He got a great easy job of kid sitting.
August 15, 2019
Captain Murphy got a blue cast today. On August 26 he gets radiographs and hopefully the cast and cone leave . It will be two days until his 6th Birthday!
Happy 6th Birthday Captain Murphy! August 17, 2019
We were able to celebrate Captain Murphy’s 6th Birthday! The balloons lasted a few minutes. Cats and balloons don’t mix.
August 26, 2019
Murphy got his cast off on this day. We got a photo shoot with the team. He got a much deserved bubble bath!
Thank you Captain Murphy for your Loyalty to us!
It’s been a year since the incident and Captain Murphy has recovered well. He plays soccer. He continues to guard and protect his farm and family. He has true dedication. If you want to support some of his endeavors, he is a dog model for kona leashes. If you use his code CAPTAIN6, you will get 20% off. With every sale, kona leashes donates 1 pound of dog food to shelters and every product comes with a lifetime guarantee.
What a wonderful story, Alexandra. There is never a full moment!