Murphy to the rescue as Ross-shire canine becomes a school star!
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A RESCUE dog who didn't have the best start in life has become something of a "film star" in Ross-shire.
Murphy the Therapy dog is getting so much love these days from school pupils he is something of a celebrity.
Murphy, a six-year-old collie dog, had two major operations before he came to live with Michele Jansen on the Black Isle.
Mrs Jansen said: "Murphy's owners didn't want him. In his short life with them he had broken his leg, and he had swallowed a tennis ball meaning that his stomach had to be removed.
"He was given to the vet for him to put him to sleep. But the vet didn't and, well, that is why we got him. He is the most calm collie that I have ever come across. He is just calm and he is gentle. I have three grandchildren and he is always calm."
She decided to take Murphy into schools as part of her early retirement plan. She said: "About three years ago I had Murphy assessed as a therapy dog.
"Our first job was at the nursing home, but in spite of giving it didn't work out as well as we would have liked. So we tried again and this time we got we matched with a school. From the moment we started we knew we were making a difference to the children in the school."
The duo now visit various schools in the area, including Avoch Primary School.
Mrs Jansen continued: "When we arrive at school and we walk through the playground it is like a film star has arrived.
"He is the star of the show.
"Children, and adults, just seem to get on well with him. Children seem to be able to relate to the Murphy and it makes a world of difference in both their lives."
