THIS IS MURPHY…who came with this name so we couldn’t change it but I lovingly call him “Butters!”  He’s a hefty little  Shih Tzu at 16 lbs, tan and white and 5-6 yrs old.  Sadly, his human, a senior, has become unable to care for him.  We had him transported to LA from Pismo Beach and he is a character!!  If you are not an early riser, we don’t think this cumquat would be the right fit because around 5am he makes the most hilarious sound — it’s supposed to be a bark  — usually telling you he wants something or to go out!  One of our volunteers said “he sounds like a pterodactyl!!”  So accurate!  If you ignore him, he quiets down eventually! He will bark when he wants to play with another dog!!  We have actually decided that he wants to have a playmate, it will just have to be the right one!!  He makes the same funny “shih tzu grunting” sound when he wants your attention…but otherwise, he’s pretty quiet!  He does want a lot of attention — to play with, to cuddle, to NOT be ignored!  He’s a stroller, not a runner…and supposedly is potty trained.  That being said, we never guarantee but he prefers a yard to walking and doesn’t lift his leg (that we’ve seen)!  When he plays with his human, his body comes off the ground like he has springs on his feet.  See why we call him a character?  He had putrid breath, so he got a dental and now his kisses are sweet as sugar!  He loves to cuddle, he loves his human, loves other dogs and could go with one or not, depending on how much time you can spend with him!  He grunts and barks when he is playing…cutest thing ever!  Murphy is a doll and we love him to pieces — think you will too!  He will be at adoptions on Sunday, 12/19 He’ll look forward to meeting you!!