About Murray

This is an incredibly difficult note for us to write. After months of love, patience, and progress, we are heartbroken to share that we must surrender our beloved dog, Murray, due to an unexpected change in our living situation that prevents us from keeping dogs over 30 pounds. We have explored every possible alternative, but unfortunately, we are out of options. Murray is a roughly 6-year-old Redbone Coonhound and Cattle Dog mix, weighing about 55 pounds. We adopted him from a shelter in Northern Maine in November 2024, knowing he came from a background of limited socialization and carried a fair amount of anxiety. Since then, we've worked with him every single day with patience, consistency, and a great deal of love. His progress has been remarkable. While not perfect, Murray has come so far. We estimate he's improved by about 90 percent, and his potential is undeniable. Murray is a deeply loyal, affectionate, intelligent, and goofy dog. He's incredibly bonded to his people. He's happy to lounge on the couch all day if you're nearby, or chase a tennis ball for hours if you're up for it. He lives peacefully with our other dog, a 12-year-old Bassett Hound mix, and adores our 8-year-old daughter. He's gentle, loving, and eager to be part of the family. He just doesn't like having his feet touched. He is crate trained, healthy, and housebroken, with no ongoing medical concerns. He's also good on a leash for someone who understands how to handle a strong dog. Off leash, however, he can't yet be fully trusted. He has a strong drive and his recall is unreliable. He also continues to have anxiety when meeting new dogs and may bark or howl at first, though this has improved significantly with ongoing training. Murray is not a beginner's dog. He needs someone experienced, patient, and understanding of high-drive, strong-willed breeds. But for the right person, he will be the most loyal and rewarding companion imaginable. He's clever enough to problem-solve (especially if it involves food on the counter) and thrives with structure, affection, and consistency. Letting him go is devastating. We only ask that he finds a home where someone sees what we see: a dog who has already come such a long way and still has so much love and joy to give. Thank you for considering Murray, and for helping us find the right home to continue his journey. With heavy hearts, The Check Family

Suffolk County
Boston, Massachusetts