A reindeer for real – Murphy the dog-loving reindeer lands at December Nights ...Middle East

As people passed the pen, they stopped and grabbed their cameras to take a picture. One woman exclaimed, “Where did they find a reindeer?”

Murphy the two-year-old reindeer made his debut at December Nights this weekend with his handler, Gabe Kerschner, close by the whole time.

It’s not the first time December Nights has brought a reindeer on the grounds of Balboa Park, but it was the first time attendees got to see one of the creatures face to face.

McKinna Dartez Chrismer, one of the architects behind December Nights, said that last year organizers brought reindeer out for the media before the event opened, but not for the actual festivities.  People who saw the coverage, then came to the park, asked where the reindeer were, so this year they decided to invite Kerschner and his friends back.

Kerschner is one of the co-founders of Conservation Ambassadors, a group that cares for displaced wildlife. Members make it their mission to educate the public about conservation. That’s where Murphy comes in.

He came to Kerscher’s ranch from a farm in Washington that didn’t have the capacity to take care of him as he grew. Now Murphy spends his time on the Conservation Ambassadors ranch in the Lake Tahoe area. A typical week for him includes traveling to different schools, where Kerschner introduces him to the kids and teaches them about the species.

He spends everyday with Murphy, living on the ranch, and said that as the reindeer’s personality is quite “needy,” he is a fan of the attention he gets at schools and special events.

Another of Murphy’s quirks? A fascination with dogs. As Kerschner said this, he motioned to Murphy standing behind him and called his name, but the reindeer didn’t budge, continuing to stare at a Bernese Mountain Dog a couple yards away.

Hence then, the article about a reindeer for real murphy the dog loving reindeer lands at december nights was published today ( Sunday 07/12/2025 - 07:18 AM ) and is available on Times of San Diego ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( A reindeer for real – Murphy the dog-loving reindeer lands at December Nights )

Also on site :

• 12-year old Russian beats world chess champion
• Hundreds of popular grocery, drug-store items recalled due to ‘filth' at Midwest distribution center
• Body recovered from Lake Natoma amid search for missing man