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An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash past

An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash past


Postby Collaciotach » Wed Nov 22, 2023 10:57 am

Munros included on this walk: Sgùrr Èilde Mòr

Date walked: 22/11/2023

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I don't post as often these days being content to browse in the background however that wasn't always the case.

Back when we were collecting the Munros my constant companion was Murphy aka "An Cù" my wee terrier . A few of you recognised us over the years on the hill but not for my looks but because they recognised the dog :)

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His first Munro was Sgurr Èilde Mòr back in 2010 where he was kept on the lead due to his ability to flush and subsequently chase anything that moved ..especially deer .

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Over the years he learnt to behave ...but only when it suited him :? Once he got a scent it there was no halting him and off he would hare after the quarry, ignoring whistles and shouts, you'd see the wee black figure vainly chasing the herd who would usually be some distance away from him comfortaby ahead. He would always return but on his own terms and on any given hill he'd cover x 6 of what i had paced always flanking down or circling ahead.

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We camped on summits did multi day rounds in all weathers and enjoyed those days to the full in each others company creating an unbreakable bond. When i went out Murphy was ready and waiting sitting at the door .When i moved he moved and when i tried to prevent him haring off he ignored me :wink:

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After a particularly long day the wee fella was always first in the tent ...usually plump in them middle on the sleeping bag and unwilling to move to let me in :lol:

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He was particularly hardy in snow and with short legs and long coat in winter he iced up pretty quick ,but was always happy follwing my trail which i had to plough flat without lifitng my boots to ease his movement

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His wee iced face was always a picture haha

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He always had a winter jacket , usually red which made him easier to keep an eye on and hec managed some pretty extreme climbs but with some ease the claws being inbuilt crampons.

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His last hill was the Corbett Beinn Lèoid on the 13th April 2022 . That day i noticed a change in him and although we had been avoiding taking him out in heat and on multi days he finally looked like the old 16 year old fella that was needing to retire from the mountains. In all he managed 261 Munros , 180 Corbetts and numerous Fionas ,Subs and repeat local hills in Sunart

Murphy last hill Beinn Leoid.JPG


He retired then still healthy and fit and able to manage lengthy flat walks but gradual the relentless march of time started to hit and by March this year he was starting to hirple and slow right down to short walks once a day ...

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Finally the old bhoy started to show signs of doggy dimensia in late Summer 2023 and that combined with slowly failing rear legs called me to question his quality of life given the days he had been used to and which he loved.

He finally went to sleep with help in my arms and in his own home on the 21st Nov 2023 at 14:00 hrs at 17 years of age marking a gentle end to a gold plated dogs life.

Tha na làithean a' dol seachad, tha sinn a' fàs aosd.....the days flash past us as we age. RIP An Cù / Murphy a life well lived

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Collaciotach
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1921
Munros:282   Corbetts:220
Fionas:53   Donalds:10
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Islands:32
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby rockhopper » Wed Nov 22, 2023 11:57 am

Sorry to read your news Colla. You've done Murphy proud - that's a very fitting tribute to a long life. No doubt you'll miss him massively but I'm sure you'll have many memories to treasure. Rgds, RH
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby Bruno » Wed Nov 22, 2023 3:00 pm

Hi Colla
A wonderful tribute to murphy - An Cu.
So used to seeing him in your reports. What a wonderful and full life.
Thoughts are with you.
Iain
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Bruno
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby gammy leg walker » Wed Nov 22, 2023 4:05 pm

You gave Murphy an amazing life, being a dog owner myself I fully understand the void they leave in your heart ,take comfort in knowing in the darkest of time Murphy will always be at your side watching over you. RIP Murphy. :
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby JWCW2014 » Wed Nov 22, 2023 4:38 pm

I read this moving post this morning and, whilst sad of course, it brought a smile as you described the joyful experiences Murphy had because it caused me to remember our relatively recently deceased dog who had a similarly ‘gold plated’ dog life.

It sounds like Murphy had a fantastic life - i know in my household animals passing are often equally or more tough than people - RIP Murphy.
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby Collaciotach » Wed Nov 22, 2023 11:42 pm

rockhopper wrote:Sorry to read your news Colla. You've done Murphy proud - that's a very fitting tribute to a long life. No doubt you'll miss him massively but I'm sure you'll have many memories to treasure. Rgds, RH


Mòran taing a ' ghraidh .. many thanks and good luck completing those Fionas
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Collaciotach
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby Collaciotach » Wed Nov 22, 2023 11:43 pm

Bruno wrote:Hi Colla
A wonderful tribute to murphy - An Cu.
So used to seeing him in your reports. What a wonderful and full life.
Thoughts are with you.
Iain


He will be sorley missed. Thank you
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Collaciotach
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Posts: 1921
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby Collaciotach » Wed Nov 22, 2023 11:43 pm

gammy leg walker wrote:You gave Murphy an amazing life, being a dog owner myself I fully understand the void they leave in your heart ,take comfort in knowing in the darkest of time Murphy will always be at your side watching over you. RIP Murphy. :


A wee bit of him travels with my rucksack and aye always at my side ...Mòran Taing
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Collaciotach
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Posts: 1921
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby Collaciotach » Wed Nov 22, 2023 11:44 pm

JWCW2014 wrote:I read this moving post this morning and, whilst sad of course, it brought a smile as you described the joyful experiences Murphy had because it caused me to remember our relatively recently deceased dog who had a similarly ‘gold plated’ dog life.

It sounds like Murphy had a fantastic life - i know in my household animals passing are often equally or more tough than people - RIP Murphy.


Aye tougher :( . Mòran Taing
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Collaciotach
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby dogplodder » Thu Nov 23, 2023 12:26 pm

Murphy was a legend - a real character and great companion on the hills. I loved reading about his adventures. It's sore when we lose them - the downside of their life span being so much shorter than ours. But remember what a great life you gave him! :thumbup:
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby robertphillips » Thu Nov 23, 2023 7:28 pm

Colla

So sorry to hear of this news about murphy, on the couple of times we met he was always full of fun.
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby Collaciotach » Thu Nov 23, 2023 8:06 pm

dogplodder wrote:Murphy was a legend - a real character and great companion on the hills. I loved reading about his adventures. It's sore when we lose them - the downside of their life span being so much shorter than ours. But remember what a great life you gave him! :thumbup:


Thanks DP ..... its incredibly hard but aye best of life :)
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Collaciotach
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby Collaciotach » Thu Nov 23, 2023 8:07 pm

robertphillips wrote:Colla

So sorry to hear of this news about murphy, on the couple of times we met he was always full of fun.


Hello Robert ......thanks for that a' bhalaich . Hopefully bang into you again one day. Bound to be in a random place :wink:
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Collaciotach
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby MountainTrail » Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:17 pm

Must have been extremely hard for you putting this news into words
An incredibly poignant tribute to your faithful companion

It certainly struck a chord with me as to how fleeting and quick our times pass us all by , humans and animals alike

My sincere condolences are with you
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Re: An Cù .Tha na laithean a' dol Seachad... the days flash

Postby malky_c » Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:54 pm

As someone who recognised you because of Murphy, I'm very sorry to hear this.
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