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October Update

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Murray the Sheepadoodle here. I can’t believe how busy The Lady and I have been since April!

In April, we had a story time at Play Hollow in Ballston Spa, NY. Play Hollow is fantastic — you can buy clothes, toys, and gifts, plus there’s a play area where they have classes and events.

Then we went to the Boozy Book Fair to sell our book and help raise money for the Schuylerville Public Library.

In May, we had private events at a synagogue in New Jersey and a Catholic pre-K in Saratoga Springs. I really love meeting all the kids and having them pet me. They love our book’s message: Not everyone will be your friend, but there will ALWAYS be someone who will be your friend.

June was summertime! The Lady sold our book at the Cornell University bookstore when we went to her college reunion, and then we were back in upstate NY for the Ballston Spa Summer Kick-off event. We shared a vendor table with Bridget and Cooper, and their book Cooper’s “Cooper’s Campervan Adventures: Montana”.

We finished our summer with the most wonderful evening event at the Fort Edward Public Library. We met the kids, read our book, and then got lots of pets from the kids. They loved our coloring book pages from the book. Each child then picked out their own stuffed animal, named their new pet, and filled out an adoption form.

We’ve got lots of events and holiday shopping markets scheduled for October – December. We’d love to see you!

Schuylerville Public Library, April 11, 2026

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Murray the Sheepadoodle here. Last weekend we read my book to a group of kids at the Schuylerville Public Library. We had a fantastic time! The kids gave me great pets and hugs and even took photographs with me! If you want the Lady and me to visit your school or library, email us at margot@murraytails.com.

Here’s a photo of me with my book and Moo-Cow, and another one of the Lady and me.

Murray the Sheepadoodle, Schuylerville, NY Library

Murray the Sheepadoodle, Schuylerville, NY Library

Murray the Sheepadoodle, Schuylerville, NY Library

Murray the Sheepadoodle, Schuylerville, NY Library

We talked with the kids about different ways to make friends. Sometimes I go right up to a group of kids and ask to play. Other times I watch the kids and then ask one of them if I can play with them. And you know what? It’s great when the kids play with me, and it’s okay if they say no. Why? Because the Lady taught me, ‘That’s okay. I’ll keep trying’.

 

 

I met one of my best friends, Brooklyn, when I was looking for another doggie to play with. And the Lady became friends with Brooklyn’s Lady, too!

Our TV Debut!

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Murray the Sheepadoodle here. The Lady and I had our television debut on April 2, 2026 to celebrate National Children’s Picture Book Day! The NBC station in Albany, WNYT, interviewed us during the 3rd Hour show. The Lady did really well. I, of course, was fantastic! They’ve asked us back for another segment, so stay tuned.

Why are picture books so important?

Because picture books are really a child’s first way of understanding the world. These books expose children to more diverse words about emotions than everyday conversation. The stories help kids understand emotions and feelings because they are hearing more emotional language than they would in everyday life.

Children’s picture books are also key to helping children build a vocabulary. Picture books introduce words that kids don’t hear in everyday conversation — that’s how vocabulary really grows.

Here are some interesting statistics about families that read together:

  • Children who are read to are three times more likely to become avid readers themselves.
  • Nearly half of parents say they feel closer to their child when reading together.
The benefits of having reading in a child’s life early on are clear:

Read more

November & December 2025 was BUSY!

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Murray here. Wow, the Lady and I have been SO busy that I forgot to let you know what’s been going on. Our message of ‘not everyone will be your friend but there will ALWAYS be someone who will be your friend’ is getting out and it feels great.

November and December were a whirlwind of events for us. We were at Farmer’s Markets and Holiday Markets in Saratoga Springs and Syracuse, NY. Everyone loved meeting me and I had a fantastic time!

In December, we had a story time at Book People Bookstore in Richmond, VA and Village Learning Place in Baltimore.

Murray greeting his fans at Book People, Richmond, VA

Murray greeting his fans at Book People, Richmond, VA

Murray, The Lady, and Francene at Book People

Murray, The Lady, and Francene at Book People

Murray met the best kids at the event!

Murray met the best kids at the event!

 

Village Learning Place in Baltimore, MD

Village Learning Place in Baltimore, MD