Missing 30 days, lost dog Murphy is found!

Murphy, a tiny two-year-old male dog, was reported missing on July 13. Murphy, a German Shepherd/Miniature Pinscher mix, got away from his family on the Superior Hiking Trail on the Sawbill Trail in Tofte. The heartbroken family, visiting Minnesota from Texas, had to go home and they recruited the lost animal group, The Retrievers, to help try to find their pet. Happily, Friday, August 13 turned out to be a lucky day for Murphy and his family.

The small dog was spotted late in the evening on August 12 by Courtney Quaife of Grand Marais at the Temperance River parking area. Quaife pulled over as quickly as she could in Highway 61 traffic but was not able to get to the skittish dog before he again ran off into the woods.

Quaife contacted The Retrievers, who reached out to Louise Trachta and Dave Monson of Tofte to help look for the dog the next day. Courtney and her husband, Tim, joined the search. Miraculously, after setting up game cameras in the area where he was last seen, Trachta spotted Murphy in the Highway 61 ditch.

Very carefully, Trachta approached the dog, getting down on the ground and coaxing him to her. She was successful in enticing him to her.

Quaife and Trachta took Murphy to the Cedar Grove Veterinary Clinic in Grand Marais.

Dr. Naddar Samari gave him a thorough examination. Murphy was down in weight by two pounds and had some sores, likely caused by being stuck somewhere in his harness until he could wiggle free, but overall, he was in really good condition—especially considering he had been on his own for 30 days. 

His owners are on their way back to Minnesota to collect their missing dog. 

WTIP checked in with Courtney Quaife to hear about her role in Murphy’s rescue. Here’s Rhonda Silence with more.