From abandoned to adored: Murphy’s journey from side of the road to rescue pup

CTV’s Jeff Pickel learns how a Perth Township employee helped a dog go from shivering in the cold, to thriving in a new home.

A dog found shivering on the side of the road is learning how to love again.

It’s not clear how Murphy journey started, but his life turned around when Cody Feltz noticed something odd in West Perth Township.

“I just happened to see the dog sitting on the side of the rod, shivering, and [the dog] kind of looked out of place,” he told CTV News.

Feltz, a township employee, was making his rounds when he first saw Murphy. He took the cold pup home in hopes of finding his owner.

“Nobody seemed to know who it was. We posted on social media and no one responded all day,” he explained.

While some people offered to take the dog, Feltz wasn’t sure what would be best for the animal.

“You don’t want to give it to the wrong person. So the best advice that I received was to give it back to the SPCA,” he said.

When Feltz and the then unnamed dog arrived at the Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth, they said he did the right thing.

“Part of what our adoption team does is make sure that every animal is suited to the home they’re going to,” explained Nicole Swartzentruber, animal care manager at the agency.

The dog was initially a bit fearful and nervous but, after a few days, he met his new owners Dave and Christine Ratcliffe.

“My wife actually saw Murphy listed on the site for the humane society and we just recently lost our older [Rottweiler],” Dave said.

It took no time for them to form a bond.

“[He] just went in Christine’s lap and he’s a mama’s boy. He loves Christine,” Dave said.

Now, Murphy is enjoying a life with his new big sister Carly.

“He’s very smart. He knows sit extremely well,” Dave said.

It’s a story that could have ended very differently if one kind-hearted person hadn’t come along at just the right time.