tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post7910400973424376350..comments2024-03-09T19:08:04.758-06:00Comments on Life at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center: Me and MarleyMurray Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00662196272138109874noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-39424242375013367042012-05-03T20:29:20.635-05:002012-05-03T20:29:20.635-05:00Hey Murray,Have checked in on your blog from time ...Hey Murray,Have checked in on your blog from time to time having hung out in this HC community for some 20 odd (very) years but just wanted to say that's a lovely tribute to a very special soul. She clearly had a sweet life with you- really the main gift we can give to our four legged soul mates. Sorry to hear of your loss.Linda Geffinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-54526779320531373342012-04-26T10:38:11.445-05:002012-04-26T10:38:11.445-05:00All these posts had me in tears. My former husban...All these posts had me in tears. My former husband didn't like dogs (shouldn't that have clued me in?), so after the divorce, practically the first thing I did was adopt my mutt Nick. He was my buddy and sidekick, licked away my tears when my children were with their dad, and snuggled up with me when I felt alone in the world... I couldn't have asked for a better companion. He also set the bar very high for a new man in my life; when I arrived home from work, Nick would be incredibly excited--jumping up and down--and sharing kisses by the dozens.<br /><br />Nick saw us through teenage angst, some serious illness, and the loss of a loved one. Eventually, he got to share the happiness of a new blended family. Through those years, he was a constant--a source of laughter and love.<br /><br />One night when I arrived home from work, I saw Nick sleeping on the back door matt. I remember smiling and calling to him, even teasing him for his lethargy. But there was no response. My beautiful, faithful pup--who had jumped around and chased a ball that morning--had died.<br /><br />I remember the kindness of my neighbor who saw my tears and had her son help me get Nick into the car, another who met me at the vet's office, and the incredible vet who offered to see what had caused his death--"no charge--just to give you some peace." I remember calling my daughters with the horrible news, and I sobbed all through the phone call to my husband. Our house was gloomy. We hated to return home at night--still expecting Nick to come running up to us.<br /><br />Within a few weeks, against the advice of many, we adopted two new mutts from a rescue organization and a animal shelter. They have since added so much joy, love and laughter to our lives. Although they will never replace Nick, they have given us a new "leash" on life.<br /><br />Murray, do what feels right for you. But we have found that it is never to soon to welcome a new pup into your life.<br /><br />I am so truly sorry for your loss.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-43917477758376845662012-04-24T11:03:18.398-05:002012-04-24T11:03:18.398-05:00My thoughts are with you. So glad I got to meet Ma...My thoughts are with you. So glad I got to meet Marley a few weeks ago. <br /><br />EdwardAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-49116554892667903262012-04-24T10:47:52.650-05:002012-04-24T10:47:52.650-05:00Sorry to hear that, Murray, my condolences.Sorry to hear that, Murray, my condolences.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-10756064968414692302012-04-23T23:22:23.493-05:002012-04-23T23:22:23.493-05:00I am so sorry you lost your beautiful friend. Our ...I am so sorry you lost your beautiful friend. Our pets are a gift from God. They don't live as long as we do, so we have to suffer losing them. But I always comfort myself that we will someday meet again in heaven. They will be waiting for us there and we will be together again. Marley's waiting for you. <br />Kris MooreKris Moorenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-74253639336782928862012-04-23T19:37:10.966-05:002012-04-23T19:37:10.966-05:00Murray, I am so sorry. I, too, have a Marley who ...Murray, I am so sorry. I, too, have a Marley who predates the book (how many times I bet you also uttered the words, "no I didn't name him [her] after that.....") But mine is a homage to Bob, not cigarettes. My Marley is also rather geriatric, so your post just melted my heart. All the unconditional love they give us, and the joy they bring us, makes it worth the inevitable pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you.<br />Lisa TannerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-77681494010415500322012-04-23T17:01:43.945-05:002012-04-23T17:01:43.945-05:00Sorry for your loss. We lost Scout last year and i...Sorry for your loss. We lost Scout last year and it really is like losing a family member.Alex Buninnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-50267660868894103792012-04-23T10:39:53.140-05:002012-04-23T10:39:53.140-05:00Murray I am so sorry for you. We recently lost our...Murray I am so sorry for you. We recently lost our dog 2 months ago and it took a large hunk of my heart. Dogs are there for you when no one else is. It is unconditional love like no other. I believe that the bond we have them is not broken by death. I looked into my poor boys eyes before he passed and told him I will see you again someday. After all I think it was Roy Rogers that said If dogs dont go to heaven I want to go where they go or something to that effect. My prayers and thoughts are with you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-19064251298584778382012-04-23T09:35:13.068-05:002012-04-23T09:35:13.068-05:00Murray I am so sorry for your loss. It is truly ha...Murray I am so sorry for your loss. It is truly hard to say goodbye to our best friends. I will pray for comfort for you, your family and friends that loved her so very much. You gave her a wonderful life, remember the good times and take comfort from the thought that she will be waiting for you at the rainbow bridge. The highest compliment you gan give Marley is to share all of your love with another pup when the time is right. <br /><br />SueAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-17954400030874908822012-04-23T08:18:52.252-05:002012-04-23T08:18:52.252-05:00Most dogs are better than most people..........the...Most dogs are better than most people..........their love, affection, and loyalty is unmatched.<br /><br />My prayers are with you.BLACK INKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03806198898618859706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-45948621241431700012012-04-23T00:53:35.693-05:002012-04-23T00:53:35.693-05:00From the late, great cartoonist genius Walt Kelly,...From the late, great cartoonist genius Walt Kelly, an ode to "Man's Best Friend".<br /><br />"What gentler eye,<br />What nobler heart,<br />Doth warm the winter's day;<br />Than the true-blue orb<br />And the oaken core<br />Of beloved Old Dog Tray?"<br /><br />— Walt KellyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-1016744950099750902012-04-22T22:51:07.250-05:002012-04-22T22:51:07.250-05:00Believe this Brother, even tho we dont see to eye ...Believe this Brother, even tho we dont see to eye to eye in our politics, my heart goes out to you. They are family and it hurts so much. Been there and I pray for you, so that the day you and I can see our friend and family member again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-48098441184410058362012-04-22T22:15:48.661-05:002012-04-22T22:15:48.661-05:00She looks just like the 1st dog I'd ever met t...She looks just like the 1st dog I'd ever met that had its vocal cords clipped so it couldn't bark. I'm sorry you lost her but take heart in the fact that you loved her and treated her like it. Some people don't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-13009898645482958822012-04-22T20:49:08.743-05:002012-04-22T20:49:08.743-05:00What a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing that....What a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing that. <br /><br />I met her at the very end of her life, only weeks ago. Even yesterday, the day before she died, she was a very happy dog. I'm so sorry for your loss.Franklin Bynumhttp://frankbynum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-19502845557726771552012-04-22T20:27:13.095-05:002012-04-22T20:27:13.095-05:00Mr. Tough guy (me) - or so I thought.
Boy can I...Mr. Tough guy (me) - or so I thought. <br /><br />Boy can I relate and my heart goes out to you and your family Murray. I had a Chocolate Labrador for only 7 years (1997 – 2004). When things got too “hot” in the kitchen or court, “Chocolate” was always there to walk me. Then came politics – Could always count of that friend of all friends to be there waiting – to be my comforter and pull me through the hot, humid, and yes cold air of this town. Like Marley, mine too was there for the kids as well – then it happened. She couldn’t get enough water. Lethargic and thirsty – ALL THE TIME – for about a week. Quick, check her nose – all is well it’s cold as an ice cube. Curse the old wives tale – didn’t matter. <br />To the vet I go and am quickly referred to a “specialist”….what…for dogs? Wait a minute, my grandfather had an old mutt for about 18 years that lived off table scraps, had grey ticks, slept under the old farm house and could hunt and keep up with his old truck without skipping a beat. These are snake oil salesmen I mumbled. Jeesh, I just finished over three years with a CHILD having cancer; Just bought a new house, blending a new family, I have do nip this in the bud and tell these charlatans they aren’t getting any money from me and besides “I think” she will heal on her own. How naive. How afraid I didn’t know I was. Drop her off then I get the call. We think it is cancer of the liver. For $1,200.00 we can do a biopsy to make sure. What did Mr. Tough guy do? He rushed to the Credit Union.<br />Results – positive for cancer and for about ten times the biopsy amount they could probably keep her alive for a year and a half. I had to fold. I felt guilty for looking at all the elderly people sitting in the waiting room – spending who knows how much - to save what was to them no doubt their only true family member left in their life who gave a damn.<br />The last visit. On my home from work I stopped off and saw Chocolate one last time in a room right out of an adult funeral home. No less than 15 boxes of Kleenex. Paintings of animals running in open fields – heaven I guess. They rolled her in on that cold shiny medical table, but had her wrapped in the original blanket I had left her in. I hugged Chocolate one last time and slowly pulled her collar off her neck. Kissed her “cold nose” goodbye and left for my truck. I cried for two days. By the third I was in Santa Fe paying $500.00 for Honnee – my now 9 year old Yellow Labrador. God bless everyone’s furry little and big family members. They truly ARE – part of the Family!<br /><br />Larry StandleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-53065155068086508742012-04-22T20:05:32.116-05:002012-04-22T20:05:32.116-05:00My condolences Murray, I know how tough it is. I l...My condolences Murray, I know how tough it is. I lost my cat, Stony, who I had for 16 years back in 2010. He was special too, since the mother of the victim of a murder case I prosecuted with the Fort Bend DAs office found him for me when he was a kitten in 1994. It's hard to lose one of our furry friends. You might want to check out this site to set up a memorial.<br />http://rainbowsbridge.com/Sid Crowleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-20799052897116722742012-04-22T20:00:36.606-05:002012-04-22T20:00:36.606-05:00Well Calvin, you made me cry.Well Calvin, you made me cry.Shirley Corneliusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-48285062945676726982012-04-22T19:35:19.472-05:002012-04-22T19:35:19.472-05:00Mur,
You know we loved Marley at least as much as...Mur,<br /><br />You know we loved Marley at least as much as we love you. I'm sad that she is gone, but know she'll be waiting for us with Guinness (Who names their dogs after beer and cigarettes?) on the other side. Marley, like Leroy before her was always one of my favorites. I am sorry for all our loss but I am so happy she was a part of your life. Marley was a good girl. We'll miss her.<br /><br />SnivsJayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11811452454447198450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-88758909941165226072012-04-22T19:28:21.009-05:002012-04-22T19:28:21.009-05:00Thank you to everyone. I really appreciate it.
C...Thank you to everyone. I really appreciate it.<br /><br />Calvin, the Last Will and Testament is something that I appreciate more than I could ever express. Thank you for posting that.Murray Newmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00662196272138109874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-6512149046837723192012-04-22T18:16:19.938-05:002012-04-22T18:16:19.938-05:00Murray: I received this recently; hopefully it is...Murray: I received this recently; hopefully it is helpful:<br /><br />A Dog's Last Will and Testament....<br /><br />Before humans die, they write their Last Will and Testament, give their home and all they have, to those they leave behind.<br />If, with my paws, I could do the same, this is what I'd ask...<br />To a poor and lonely stray, I'd give my happy home, my bowl and cozy bed, soft pillows, and all my toys.<br />The lap, which I loved so much; the tender loving touch.<br />The hand that stroked my fur and sweet voice which called my name.<br />To the sad, scared shelter dog, I'd will the place I had in my human's loving heart of which there seemed no bounds.<br />So, when I have died, please do not say,"I will never have a pet again, for the loss and pain is more than I can stand." Instead, go find an unloved dog -- one who's life has held no hope or joy, and give MY place to him.<br />This is the only thing that I can give... The love I left behind. This is my inheritance , my will <br />and testament. This works, I know.<br />Calvin A. HartmannAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-3416767503022527312012-04-22T17:35:35.246-05:002012-04-22T17:35:35.246-05:00Murray, we have two Shelties and I couldn't ag...Murray, we have two Shelties and I couldn't agree more. They are the most intelligent dogs we have ever had; more like people than dogs. I know how much Marley was like family and I am hurting for<br />you now. Love ya Man!Ron Knottsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-9097162432534148532012-04-22T16:30:15.803-05:002012-04-22T16:30:15.803-05:00It is obvious that you loved Marley very much. Do...It is obvious that you loved Marley very much. Dogs are such generous creatures; they give so such much more to us than we ever give to them. The companionship, the loyalty, and yes the love they provide forms a bond that when dissolved creates a void or emptiness as much as the loss of a human loved one. I suspect that is because we all ultimately think of them as human. Thank you; your "tribute" to Marley was moving. <br />Calvin A. HartmannAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-52352818262158521072012-04-22T16:25:03.501-05:002012-04-22T16:25:03.501-05:00Murray, we are dealing with this issue right now w...Murray, we are dealing with this issue right now with our 12 year old mutt Chester the world's greatest dog. (from the movie The Kid). He is currently at Gulf Coast Veterinary Hospital where they are trying to figure out which of the three terminal condition possibilities he has. Hopefully it is the one that can be treated symptomatically to give him a little extra quality time so he can come home for awhile. If not he won't be coming home. Not really looking forward to the vet's call tomorrow .....Shirley corneliusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-78606115784090359522012-04-22T16:12:08.944-05:002012-04-22T16:12:08.944-05:00What a sweet soul. I'm sure that dog was loved...What a sweet soul. I'm sure that dog was loved and had a great life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-34813748945282815292012-04-22T15:35:06.368-05:002012-04-22T15:35:06.368-05:00Sorry for your loss. It's always a blessing to...Sorry for your loss. It's always a blessing to have the opportunity to have experienced love so unconditionally, pets tend to do that. They are more of a family member than our own blood family. Thanks for sharing your story with us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com