After several fundraisers and many months of waiting, Colton Ruscitti’s certified service dog, “Charlie,” has arrived. Dianne Long and Bev Swartz, service dog trainers with All Purpose Canines in Aberdeen, S. Dakota, accompanied Charlie to Murphy and began on-site training with the Ruscitti’s on May 14th.

Colton, a soon to be five year old, is autistic. Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. In Colton’s case, sounds hurt his ears, he has limited speech abilities, and he cannot socially navigate interactions with peers. He struggles each day to survive in the world around him. He wanders away from home, has a difficult time dealing with being in public places, and is frustrated easily.

To read more about "Charlie" and Colton, click "Full Story."

Meeting Date Changed to April 12th.

Fall of 2006 was our first season for Girls on the Run in Murphy and it has been a great success! Although there has not been any formal announcement, many of you may already know that Christianna Cohen will be moving back to San Francisco in May.
 
From Christianna:

The only thing that can stop the inevitable growth of this beneficial community program for our girls is the lack of volunteers. If you or someone you know would be interested in learning more about becoming more involved with Girls on the Run in Murphy, please join me for a pressure-free Open House meeting at 304 Shady Oaks in Murphy on April 12th at 7:00 p.m. Light snacks and beverages will be served.

I will briefly go over the types of help we could use to help you make a determination if you or someone you know can help us. We would REALLY appreciate it! What's more, our girls would really appreciate it! This program has become very popular and we need to keep it going!  Please join us in our endeavor! Thank you in advance for your support!   

Please RSVP to me via email: mccohen42@hotmail.com or phone:  214-243-0479. Can’t make the Thursday meeting – contact me anyway!! 

Again, please join us:
Christianna Cohen
304 Shady Oaks Drive
Thursday, April 12th
7:00 p.m.
For more information on our program, please visit www.gotrdfw.com or contact me at mccohen42@hotmail.com or phone: 214-243-0479.
 

Murphy, TX – Police and Animal Control Officials have reported the discovery of a positive rabies case from a skunk which was captured in the City of Murphy. On Wednesday, March 14, 2007, the Murphy Police Department was notified via radio by personnel from Murphy Fire-Rescue in reference to a skunk in the driveway of the Fire station. On arrival, officials did locate the animal which immediately began to show violent behavior and had to subsequently be euthanized on site. The animal was then shipped to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for rabies testing.

On Wednesday, March 21, 2007, City officials were notified by DSHS that the animal had tested positive for rabies. Murphy Fire-Rescue personnel, other city employees and homeowners in the immediate vicinity are being notified in an effort to ensure that everyone remains alert to wildlife activity around the area.

At this point, there is no known exposure from this animal to other animals or humans in the immediate vicinity. DSHS officials are working closely with the City of Murphy to monitor this event. Residents within the affected area should ensure that all pets are currently vaccinated against rabies.

Should any other wildlife be seen in the affected or other areas of the city, do not approach or handle the animals, but notify the Animal Control Unit or the Police Department immediately. Some animals which are prone to carry rabies are bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks and coyotes. Dogs or cats provide the greatest risk to humans. Squirrels, rodents and rabbits are seldom infected. Additional information available through DSHS or on the web at http://www.cfainc.org/articles/rabies.html

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the City of Murphy Animal Control Unit at 972-468-4200 or 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

This past Saturday Rolling Ridge bowlers (?) formed 3 teams to participate in a fund-raising tournament held at the Richardson AMF Lanes benefiting victims of domestic violence.

Colleen Halbert who works for New Beginnings, an organization that provides help to domestic violence victims, recruited the Rolling Ridge teams with help from Jill Lambouses.






There were no gutter balls for the “Pink Ladies” and “The Stingers” (named for the cocktail?) and “The King Pins” rolled for a great cause as well.

By Michael Lamping, DVM
Murphy Road Animal Hospital

Veterinary examination of new pets, especially puppies and kittens, from pet stores, breeders, and pet adoption facilities is encouraged shortly after you acquire them.  This prevents you from accidentally bringing home parasites such as mites, fleas, ticks, ringworm, and intestinal worms which could be spread to other pets or to people. 

One example of a very common external parasite is ear mites.  The veterinarians at Murphy Road Animal Hospital diagnosed ear mites on 40 patients in 2006.  These patients included cats, dogs, ferrets, and rabbits.  Especially common in cats, Otodectes cynotis infestations are spread by direct physical contact between animals and frequently affect all susceptible animals in a household or colony.  Rabbits are vulnerable to a related mite, Psoroptes cuniculi.

To read more about this condition, click "Full Story"