Murphy, a Shih Tzu, age six, sits on the steps in the front hall of the Tecklenburg house. This is where he spends a large amount of time during the weekdays. He is alert, watching the cars go by and barking at them as they pass. But more importantly, he is perched there because he is waiting.

Murphy is waiting for a man who originally hadn’t wanted another dog in the family. Terry Tecklenburg had vowed to not to have anything to do with taking care of Murphy when he had first arrived as a pet for his son Jake. This was a promise his family saw through from the beginning.

“He’s a dog lover, so we knew that he would become attached with him sooner or later,” Pam Tecklenburg said.

He is waiting for a man that, only weeks after being introduced to Murphy, started taking him on walks and jogs several times a week. Despite being “Jake’s pet,” these activities have gradually bonded Murphy and Terry over the years in a way that the rest of the Tecklenburg family has not been able to compete with.

“My dad is his clear favorite,” senior Jake Tecklenburg said. “He doesn’t necessarily hate the rest of us, but I’ll just say this- He’s bitten everyone in the family except him, if that says anything.”

Waiting for one man he spends as much time as possible with. When Jake and other family members play fetch with Murphy, he refuses to bring the ball back. When Jake takes Murphy for runs, he appreciates it but does not go crazy with excitement. Murphy does not follow Jake around the house.

“He’s obsessed with Terry,” Pam said. “If there were a word for a ‘bromance’ but with a dog and a person, then we would use that for them all the time.”

Murphy is waiting, ignoring the rest of the family in the process. But they don’t mind. They understand who Murphy is mostly attached to.

“It’s really only had a minor effect on Jake,” Terry said. “It was never that big of a deal. If he does mind it, then it doesn’t show at all.”

Murphy is waiting for his true master and friend to come home.