Dear Fredericka and Lucy….

This letter is waaaaaay overdue, and I sincerely apologize.  Today is my boy, Murphy's, 6^th birthday.  I just cannot believe how fast time has gone by.   Murphy was born on January 23, 2005 to Kady and Rufus.  I remember like it was yesterday when Fredericka sent me "THE" email along with a couple of photos of the Kady with her puppies telling me that my boy was born.  I was nothing less than completely ecstatic!!  I still have that email, along with every email that we exchanged while I checked in with you each month while we awaited for my boy to be born.   J

I've enclosed MANY photos of Murphy because I just couldn't narrow it down to a few.  LOL  I do want to point out that all the photos from last summer/early fall were taken when the temperatures were close to 100 degrees with almost 100% humidity.  Notice… NO DROOL at all!   J   Even though my two AM boys don't drool AT ALL, I know there are some variations within the AM community, as within all breeds.  On average… AMs drool less than their EM cousins.   I know this first-hand… as my EM boy drooled like a faucet!  I even have a photo of a slinger on the ceiling… but I loved him very much anyway!

In addition to my wonderful Murphy that I got from you Fredericka, the black brindle boy in some of the photos is my American Mastiff boy, Brody (from Orion Farms), whom I adopted in April 2010, when his original family was no longer able to care for him.  Murphy and Brody have been fast friends since we brought Brody home at 6 months of age in April 2010. .  Murphy also had three additional adopted siblings since he was about 16 months old (an epileptic German Shepherd mix and two English Mastiffs, all from rescues).  Unfortunately, two have since passed.  Because of Murphy's AWESOME and loving temperament and gentleness…. it was ALWAYS easy to introduce a new dog to our home.   J

Sorry to keep bragging about my sweet boy… but I can't help it.  LOL  As you also know, Murphy was awarded his CGC (Canine Good Citizenship award) and passed his Therapy Dog test through Therapy Dogs International, Inc., when he was barely one year old.  We have visited retirement homes, mental health facilities and two homeless shelters (some photos of Murphy visiting a retirement home are on Fredericka's website).

Fredericka… as I mentioned… Murphy turns 6 years old today, January 23.  I have to say that, in the entire time he's been my boy (since March 2005), he has NEVER, EVER been sick even one day in his life!!   Not even a single ear infection!  Not a single urinary tract infection!  Nothing!! Never had ANY health issues!!  He's perfectly healthy!!  J

Fredericka, I can never, ever thank you enough for my boy Murphy!!!  He is THE sweetest, most loving, even temperamented, gentle, faithful, loyal boy ever!!!  He is absolutely my best friend and my pride and joy.  As weird as it sounds… he just "knows" me.…  and I know him.  I just can't even imagine a day without him… ever!!!   I wish I could stop time.  I don't want him to age anymore.  I want him with me forever! 

Fredericka… I don't know if I ever told you how I found you and the American Mastiff.  I narrowed down my dog breed choice in 2004 to two breeds (English Mastiff and Great Dane), when I was Googling English Mastiff breeders.  It was because of the negative stuff I found posted on certain breed sites that I decided to check out the American Mastiffs for myself.  Once I found your site and read EACH and EVERY one of the 250+  letters from your puppy owners on your site… I was completely sold on the American Mastiff….. and have never looked back!! J 

I know this letter was extremely long (soooo sorry)… but I will tell you that, without doubt, the American Mastiff IS the BEST breed ever… and will ALWAYS be THE breed for me!!  I can't thank you enough Fredericka for creating such an awesome and loving and truly the best "gentle giant" around!!  I will ALWAYS love the AM and respect the completely responsible AMBC breeders that do all that you all do to give us families the BEST dog possible!!! 

Very truly yours,

Michelle