From a Field to Forever: How Murphy Found His Family
Last year, sisters Laura Chapman and Carla Colbeck were on their way to a family reunion when something unexpected caught their eye. As they drove past a wide green field, a tiny white head suddenly popped up from the tall grass.
“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s a dog!’” Chapman told The Dodo.
Despite being on a long road trip, the sisters immediately pulled over. They carefully approached the pup, expecting him to run away — but instead, he stayed put, calm and trusting.
“It was almost like he was waiting,” Chapman said.
Without hesitation, they scooped the little dog into their car. A vet visit soon confirmed that he had no microchip. It was clear: the pup had been abandoned.
His fur was dirty, matted, and tangled beyond repair, so the sisters brought him straight to a groomer. The session took four and a half hours, but when it was over, the transformation was incredible. Beneath the heavy coat was a bright-eyed, gentle dog who already seemed to feel lighter and happier.
The sisters brought him along to their family reunion, where he stole everyone’s hearts. He soaked up the love and attention as though he’d been part of the family forever.
By the end of the trip, Colbeck knew she couldn’t let him go.
“Since the moment I found him, I said to myself, ‘I’m gonna be driving this teddy bear back home, aren’t I?’” Colbeck laughed.
She named him Murphy and made the 23-hour drive back to Michigan with her new companion by her side.
When Murphy arrived, he met Colbeck’s other pets — a dog and a cat — who welcomed him into the home without hesitation. It didn’t take long for Murphy to settle in, showering his new family with love and proving himself to be the missing piece they never knew they needed.
Today, Murphy is thriving — happy, safe, and adored. What began as a chance roadside sighting turned into a forever bond. For Murphy and Colbeck, it was simply meant to be.