Tim Shea and Kristin Shea both love Murray their Eskipoo even though he's a bed hog, taking up way more space than it seems like he should.
Murray is an unusual combination of American Eskimo and Poodle which results in the unique name of Eskipoo for this kind of dog. He is owned by Kristin and Tim Shea and while he came from a breeder in Bellevue, he first arrived as a gift. "Murray was a Christmas present that showed up on our doorstep six years ago," Kristin said. "It was from me to her," said Tim.
"We were living in a condo at the time so he was small and doesn't shed too much, Tim explained.
Murray enjoys Science Diet dog food and loves rawhide chewies as treats.
Even though he's not particularly fierce, or large, or really menacing in any way "he saved us from a burglar," Kristin said. "Someone broke into our house in West Seattle and our bedroom door on the bottom level. Murray was upstairs and must have barked and you could see where the footprints came in and turned around, like he never went further than a few steps in."
"If he had opened the door, Murray would have taken off running the other direction," Tim said laughing.
The truth is Murray is more of a lover than a fighter but he's a little selfish about the sleeping arrangements. "He's a bed hog," Tim said, "He pushes you out of the way if you're in his space." "He pretty much triple sizes himself when he gets comfortable," said Kristin.
Murray can swim but is not really a natural right away. "My parents live on the lake and whenever he goes in the water he just starts walking and then he starts thinking and it takes him a minute to figure out he can swim," said Kristin.
How to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week:
Want to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week? Stop by the VCA West Seattle Animal Hospital at 5261 California Ave. S.W. and just ask for a form. A nomination is not a guarantee of appearance and your name and photo may appear in our newspaper and online.
Photos may or may not be used and our "Pet Reporter" may be in touch with you to arrange to take a photo. Pets nominated will be chosen on the basis of uniqueness of the pet and the quality of the story and information submitted.
