Six Degrees of Separation…In the Dog World That isBy Denise Zeurcher

They say that everyone you meet is somehow related or connected to someone you know by no more than an average of six steps, a cosmic theory known as six degrees of separation. But what happens when you apply that theory in the dog world? Brooks Crossing recently experienced just that, when two Wheaten Terrier brothers were unknowingly adopted by two different families, just doors apart.

The littermates, George and Murphy, both adopted from Uncle Bill’s Center in Fishers, were reunited after a third neighbor put everything together after talking to both owners on separate occasions: same breed, identical looking puppies, same birth date of January 22, same pet store. Hmmm…it didn’t take long to confirm that the boys were brothers.

Meet GeorgeGeorge was adopted first by Nammy and Shahbano Eskar and sons Faizan, age 10, and Shayaan, age eight. According to Shahbano, they chose the Wheaten Terrier breed because the dogs are known to be good around children, quiet and rarely bark unnecessarily. “They are very playful and fun, yet hearty,” Shahbano adds. “They are also high energy and need a lot of attention.”

The Eskar’s had been looking at puppies, but had no intention of bringing one home the day they met George. They knew Wheatens went quickly after finding another puppy at Uncle Bill’s who was already adopted when they made the decision to go back to get him the next day. So, after playing with George, and determining he was a good fit for the family, he was soon on his way to his new home.

Uncle Bill’s names each puppy that comes in and had chosen “George” for the Eskar’s new puppy. “It seemed like a good name for him, so we kept it,” Shahbano explains. “It suits him.”

Shayaan, a third grader at Brooks School Elementary School, loves having a puppy at home because “he’s cute and playful,” he shares. “I like it when he runs around and chases me.”

Older brother Faizan, a fifth grader at Fall Creek Intermediate School, adds that he and a friend love to play chase with George. “We play chase and run away. It’s funny when the sprinklers are on (before the water ban),” he explains. “George runs through the sprinklers and takes a drink, then it sprays his face. He loves it and keeps going back again for more.”

Introducing MurphyTwo weeks after George joined the dogs of Brooks Crossing, neighbor Alexa Wiedeman, a recent college graduate, brought her first puppy, Murphy, home. He joined Alexa’s parents, Eric and Kathy, and brother Evan, who was on summer break from college. It was love at first sight. According to Alexa, “Murphy became an instant family favorite.”

This especially became apparent after her brother returned to college. “I received a Face Time message that Evan wanted to Face Time with my dog,” she laughs. “So, now the two have Face Time sessions.”

Alexa renamed Murphy, originally named “Cliff” by Uncle Bill’s, with a name of Irish descent to match the breed’s origin. “He was also named after the rapper, Murphy Lee,” Alexa further shares.

Alexa’s desire to adopt a dog began when she was little and would write letters to her parents explaining why she should get a puppy. “Our family was just too busy though,” she says, “so after I graduated, I finally got my puppy. And he’s been a great first dog.”

Alexa learned about the Wheaton Terrier breed from a great aunt who had several over the years. Wheatens, officially named the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier because of their wheaten color and soft wavy coat, were bred as a farm dog in Ireland. The medium-sized dog makes a great pet because it doesn’t shed like other dogs, and instead has hair that grows like human and poodle hair. They are also known for their intelligence, ease of training and love for people.

Murphy had been at Uncle Bill’s Greenwood store where he was previously adopted by another family and returned. That’s when he was relocated to the Noblesville store where Alexa and her grandmother spotted him. Alexa mulled over the decision to adopt him the next few days, stating that if he was still there, she would bring him home. He was there waiting for her when she returned.

Even Alexa’s father, who was at first skeptical about dog ownership, has warmed up to him. Whenever he reads the newspaper, Murphy dive bombs him to get at the paper, which he sees as yet another toy. Murphy also has initiated a game in which whenever one of the Wiedeman’s approaches the stairway to the second floor, he tries to block them, keeping them from getting to the stairs.

Alexa has altruistic future plans for Murphy, who recently graduated from puppy class at Paws and Play Dog Resort and Training Center in Noblesville. When he gets a little older, Murphy will return for training to become a certified therapy dog and will be able to visit people in hospitals, schools and nursing homes.

For now, Murphy loves his daily walks, often two times a day, swimming in his own puppy pool, and visiting the dog park. He also loves rides in the car and is a real charmer, sticking his head out the window so people in the adjacent cars will wave and talk to him.

George and Murphy Meet For The First Time

After the brotherly connection was unleashed, the official reunion followed shortly after when Alexa and Kathy were out walking Murphy in the neighborhood one day. They stopped in front of the Eskar’s yard where George was busy playing, and the puppies responded with instant chemistry. “They immediately gravitated to each other, tails wagging, and started playing together,”Alexa shares.

Both families share a funny story that happened right after the two dogs were adopted and before the owners knew about each other’s sibling dogs. Alexa was out with Murphy talking to a couple of neighbors when Nammy, George’s owner, drove by. He looked at the puppy with the neighbors and took a double take, even driving back around, thinking that George must have somehow escaped, when, in fact, it was George’s look-alike sibling, Murphy.

What The Experts Say

While kinship recognition studies, how animals recognize family members, or a close genetic relative versus a non-relative, have been conducted on amphibians, insects and mammals (mostly rodents), very few have focused on dogs. However, one such study, conducted by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, concluded that dogs most likely recognize family members.

Recognition may be based on observation of another dog’s characteristics, or appearance. In this case, dogs may gravitate to, or recognize other dogs with the same characteristics, even coloring, simply by sight. This plays a role in recognizing breeds or similar breeds. Scent also plays a strong role in recognizing a known dog such as a mother or sibling. This scent recognition can also be applied to a dog’s recognition of relationships with people and places. Studies, as well as owners’ accounts, have shown that even after separation, dogs tend to recognize each other when reunited, gravitating to and preferring to play with a family member instead of other dogs.

Regardless of what the experts say, there is no doubt that George and Murphy recognized each other immediately and are best buddies today. Every time they see one another, they immediately run to greet each other, tails wagging, rolling around on the grass until they look like one big ball of wheaten-colored fluff. They both share a common love of sprinkler systems, walks and playing with their families. They’ve also both won the puppy lottery, adopted by adoring families who made thoughtful, planned decisions about dog ownership and were ready to provide plenty of time, attention and love.