Catching Murphy is the captivating story of a lost dog. In 2014, Murphy, a golden retriever, escaped from one of his owners after a car crash. The terrified dog bolted from the back seat when they opened the door to check on him—and failed to come when called after the escape.
What happened next was an odyssey that captured the imaginations of thousands of people. Murphy spent the next eighteen months, and two brutal Vermont winters, escaping capture. Despite the widespread efforts of the community, Murphy would appear like a ghost—and then disappear—all over Vermont.
A Perfect Weekend Read
When I checked this book out from my local library, it was a noticeably thin read. At just 55 pages, it didn’t surprise me at all to learn this book was never meant to be printed. The book was originally an e-book, printed only after it became relatively popular.
In the past, books were required to be a certain size to be printed. This book is proof that a book doesn’t have to be huge to be successful. Although it is short and reads like a long form article, it does a great job of describing the unfolding events without adding fluff.
The Power of Community
Without giving away too many spoilers about how the book ends, it’s worth marveling for a moment at how strong the community is in Vermont. When Murphy originally escaped, dozens of people helped search for him, and when weeks turned into months, Murphy became a regular feature on the Frontporch Forum to help keep track of sightings.
The owner himself, Mr. Campbell, would often drive for hours to where Murphy was last seen, but to no avail. Every time Murphy was seen he would disappear. Traps, trackers, and experts of every kind failed to catch Murphy.
If you don’t have a lot of time to read but want to enjoy an inspirational and well-written story, Catching Murphy fits the bill. It’s a wonderful tale of community, love, and of course, dogs. Buy it here.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you plan to make a purchase related to one of these products, please consider doing so through our links. It costs nothing to you and helps us maintain our website.
Similar Posts:
- Review of Bespotted
- Review of Woodrow on the Bench
- Review of Saving Sadie
- Review of Another Good Dog by Cara Sue Achterberg
- Review of How Dogs Work
