MURDOCH'S: MY MOST FAVORITE STORE ON THE PLANET

Yesterday we had to make a dog food run to Murdoch's. So it was a great day for me. A lot of girls like to go shopping on Rodeo Drive, not me. I'm a long way from there and I don't care. This girl finds shopping nirvana at Murdoch's in Kalispell. Murdoch's is a ranch store here in Montana. The store started out in Bozeman, Montana in 1994 by, of all things, a man named John Murdoch. The Murdoch's Story. It is also one of those few enlightened retail outfits that welcomes dogs.

Just my luck, Kinsey loves the place as much as I do and has been coming here for 14 years. Also helpful is, the Canidae dog food I relish is carried at Murdoch's making it essential that we visit regularly. The particular dog food I get is Canidae ALS. ALS stands for all life stages. It was recommended by my breeder. It must be good stuff because I am fit as a fiddle and have a coat to die for.

Canidae All Life Stages

This store caters to the ranch crowd and if you can't find it here you probably don't need it. I mean they have everything from tack and livestock supplies to Carhartt work clothes for men and women. They have fancy duds too. The aromas in this place? OMG! I nearly go crazy walking up and down the aisles. I look like a blood hound on scent. They have a dog treat selection second to none. Kinsey let's me sniff everything. There's so much wonderful stuff I simply can't choose. I want it all!

Not only does the store have everything a rancher could want, the people are doggone friendly, if you'll pardon the pun. Everyone is so nice to me I nearly don't know how to behave. If you ask Kinsey I don't know how to behave. :)One of our favorite people is Terri in the boot department. She has been helping Kinsey out in this area, and others, for years. We don't always run into her but we did this time and it's always a treat. Almost as big a treat as the ones I get at the checkout counter. ;) What's not to love?

Terri Arnst - Boot Specialist

There is an Ariat boot display there behind us in this photo. Kinsey loves Ariat boots and you won't find a better selection than at Murdoch's.

Whilst I get aroma therapy all over the store Kinsey get's it in the tack department. From the time she was 5 until she went out into the business world, horses were her everything. The love is still there. We could have horses at the ranch but we move around so much it just wouldn't be fair.  Maybe one day. Today Francine took time to visit with us.

Francine in the tack department

You all know how I love to hike and explore but going to Murdoch's is no chore.  I wish there were more places like it. And, in truth, there are a number of stores that allow dogs in Montana, it's a very dog friendly state. But, of all the places that welcome me, Murdoch's is my favorite. It's Kinsey's too. I just wish I could eat up my chow faster so we would have to go more often. I could eat it faster if Kinsey would let me. That isn't going to happen. She thinks it's a crime to let a dog get overweight. That probably makes me lucky too.

And, do you think Kinsey has to lug that 44 lb. bag out to the car? Not on your life. They cheerfully pick it up off the shelf and deliver it to the car.

Did I mention I really love this place?

Ciao for now,
Molly Montana

©Kinsey Barnard

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My past year was a great one and I'm looking forward to 2015.

Happy New Year!

The best parts were our road trips. Last spring we went over to the Blackfeet Reservation. It was my very first road trip. I really had lots of fun.

Then in the fall we went to Yellowstone  and the Grand Tetons. I especially loved the trip along the Gros Ventre.  I'm also noticing I never finished telling all my stories because you know who never got the photos lined up for them. I must insist that Kinsey make getting those photos ready so I can tell my tales before it's time to hit the road again.

Yesterday we went to Murdoch's, the really cool ranch store. They are dog friendly at Murdoch's so it's my favorite. The aromas in that place are to die for. But, before we got inside, I acted up and pulled Kinsey so hard on the leash she went splat on the pavement. It's been really cold an there's ice everywhere. She scolded me very harshly. I deserved it. I'm so good in so many ways but I just can't seem to get a handle on my enthusiasm when around people and dogs. So,  my New Year's resolution is to curb my enthusiasm. Well, not really curb it but be more mellow about it. I was very contrite when we got home and I know Kinsey has forgiven me but the last thing in the world I would want is to hurt her. Wish me luck. This isn't going to be easy.

I hope you had a great 2014 and Kinsey joins me in wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.

Ciao for now,
Molly Montana

©Kinsey Barnard

MOLLY GETS HER FINAL SHOTS & FLATHEAD FUN

Today Molly and I went to the Flathead to get her final shots including rabies. She weighed 19.6 pounds, a gain of over a pound in a week. All systems are go. Now that she has her documents in order we may have to sneak up to Fernie in British Columbia to see what their snow is like. It’s usually very impressive.

The trip down the mountain was a real thrill. Slid half the way. I admit it scares the poop out of me. I bot a new Expedition last Fall because my 1999 Explorer was getting a bit long in the tooth. I really didn’t want an Expedition. They are like driving a Texaco tanker. I soon learned they don’t make the traditional Explorer anymore. The “new” Explorer is a crossover thing that caters to suburbanites. I looked at all the other SUVs. GM’s were the closest but their SUVs are all designed for passengers not cargo. You’d have to physically remove the third row seats for the cargo space. The Expedition was the only SUV that gave me good flat cargo space with press button folding seats. I had had very good luck with my Explorer so I went with Ford. I must admit the thing is like driving on a cloud on the highway. I do feel safer driving Slaughter Alley which is the two lane highway to the Flathead.

I was worried about how the Expedition would perform on the luge. The luge is  a hill on the unmaintained forest service road I live on. I was afraid that it’s weight would be a problem descending the mountain in winter.  Turns out I was right about that. It does fine on the snow but when we start thawing and freezing the road is like glass. The Expedition’s weight just won’t allow the studs to get any kind of grab. I just slide and hope for the best. Oh, and to make it an even more fun challenge the hill is an “S” curve. Going up, on the other hand, is a snap. The weight works in my favor.

After the vet we went to MURDOCH'S, a wonderful western states, ranch store. I could live in Murdoch’s. As it turned out Murdoch’s has the best price for the dog food the breeder recommended, CANIDAE ALL STAGES OF LIFE . This is some very good dog food and I was very impressed that a breeder would feed it. Usually, they go for a less expensive, brand like Nutra Nuggets. Understandably so. They have many mouths to feed. We really lucked out in that the Canidae was on sale! Around $13.00 a bag savings. Woo Hoo!

Another great thing about Murdoch’s is it’s pet friendly so Molly got her first in store outing. Koty used to love going to Murdoch’s for all the wonderful smells and all the wonderful attention. Molly’s experience was equal on both counts. Everyone was all over the adorable puppy. Sadly, I have no photos because people photos have never been my forte. I just never think of it. I’m going to have start training myself to think differently about what I shoot. People love people pictures especially people with adorable puppies.

I had read in my training research that you might want to present your dog with a variety of treats on a plate and let it choose it’s favorite. At Murdoch’s they have a treat display Molly could walk right up to. I thought great she can choose her favorite. I am ready to conclude Molly hasn’t met a treat she doesn’t like. A different experience for me because Koty could have cared less. If there were live animals in the store, like chicks, he’d be all over that scent and drag me to their location in a Minnesota minute.

It was a fun day with the pooch! We both enjoyed ourselves greatly.

Still no sign of Timmy. I am not at all hopeful I will ever see him again.

©Kinsey Barnard