The Len Napoli & Murphy Fund

On February 20, 2021 Murphy met his best friend Len Napoli at Rainbow Bridge. Len wonders no more what his little friend would say to him because they are reunited forever. The peace is perfect. 

"I wonder what my little friend Murphy would say to me from heaven? I’d like to think that God reserves a special place there for our animal friends. He must, for the very traits He wants in a human, that of greatness of character, loyalty and unconditional love, are the very traits our pets exemplify." - Len Napoli

THE BEST OF FRIENDS
‘words’ from my dog Murphy

Can’t the best of friends be one of fur and one who’s not ?
One four legs, the other two, from years gone by we once forgot ?
A dozen’s worth, for you not long, I guess for me but plenty years,
To share the best of days and smiles, playfulness and tears.

This spirit state, it’s not so bad, and with God’s simple grace
He grants the canine’s right as well to heaven’s lofty place.
I’d still prefer your touch, your look, and stand along your side,
I’ve closed my eyes and dreamt that dream, for its my sense of pride.

The times that you took hold of me, your arms about my frame,
A look of love inside your eyes, and me ‘bout just the same.
You saved me from an angry chow three times my size and weight
and stood in boldness guarding me from what might be my fate.

you heard my shriek, I limped to you, my leg a crooked bone,
they’d cast the break that awful night, but I was not alone.
You cradled me and held me tight, my fears began to wane,
then spent the night awake at home to grieve and sense my pain.

Some four days lost upon my own, on foreign streets did roam,
without my dearest friend on hand and nowhere near my home,
But God saw fit to keep me safe while you did seek me out,
If ever love did mark our way, of that I had no doubt.

My one regret, the smiling face, the one that I loved best,
was not the last I saw that day when I was laid to rest.
you grieved for me, I have no doubt, indeed that you still do,
that’s why my spirit and my love will always live with you. 

On January 28, 2021 I missed a phone call from my friend, Len Napoli because I was working. Len and I co-authored the book "Brown Dog" together back in 2016 and have remained close. Len once told me that I was the "daughter he never had." I thought that was sweet given I am much too old to be his daughter!


On January 29th, he sent an email to tell me he'd received a diagnosis of aggressive and advanced cancer and that he would not live long so he wanted to be sure to tell me goodbye because I was important to him and he wanted me to know that. Bless him. I made time to speak with him that day. In fact, I made time to talk to him two more times. And, then, I watched his wife's Facebook page and posted a note daily for her to read to him. You see, that feeling of importance was mutual. Len was very important to me too.


This morning, Len lost his battle with cancer. Greeted by his old friend, Murphy and his sweet cats Rusty and Cali and a plethora of furry animals he'd given comfort and love to throughout his lifetime, I'm sure Len is feeling whole and happy once again. And, he met my Chocolate Chip and Toffee Nut today, which brings me comfort. I will miss our talks. I will miss brainstorming new book ideas.


But, I am forever grateful our paths crossed and that he was moved enough by my story to write it down and bring "Brown Dog" to life.

Forever in my heart,

Carol Smock, Founder, Brown Dog Foundation