KITTS HILL - "People drop dogs off here all the time and usually they just move along after a day or two," Nancy Murphy explained. "But this one little dog, she just decided to take up residence."

And she did. The dog, who looked to be a Jack Russell mix, moved right in and stole the Murphy's hearts.

"I know she must have been somebody's dog, but we went up and down the road and asked and we checked the newspaper and no one knew where she came from," Murphy said.

If the Mama dog herself was not enough to win Don and Nancy Murphy's affection, the six pups that soon followed clinched the deal. But then the mother died and now the Murphys are left to find homes for six wiggly nine-week-old pups.

"It's kind of a sad situation. We have five dogs of our own," Murphy said. "She (the mother dog) got killed on the road. I wish people would be more responsible and have their dogs spayed or neutered. All of mine are. I just get upset when people aren't responsible."

The three males and three females have had their first two sets of puppy vaccinations. "They would make beautiful pets, they're very social animals," Murphy said.

Her husband, Don Murphy said he hopes to find good homes for the puppies. Anyone interested may call 532-8673.