Shark Attack

This is an amazing true story cyber-paw pals. This is about a Rat Terrier named Jake and his Dog Dad. You may have seen it on CNN today. Last Friday, 26 September, Jake was out for a little ocean swim. Suddenly a five foot shark attacks from below. Jaws open wide and just about all of Jake is in the sharks mouth. Well, his Dog Dad dove into the water and hit the shark like a battering ram with his hands.

Jake had some puncture wounds from the incident but is recovering well. Join us in a toast of Pawsters and a Kennel Brew. "Here is to Jake's Dad, one brave hooman. Woof, woof, Aroooo."

Click here to read the article in Miami Herald.

Click here to watch the CNN story.

Absolutely Pawsome,

Essex & Deacon

Nuts

All we can say is "Nuts!"

Dog Dad came in after work yesterday and said “I have something to tell you both about #1 Cousin.” Tails started to wag.

“His Dog Dad got a new job and will be moving next week. His pack will be living in the Tampa Bay area near Cousin Howie. I doubt you will get to ever meet him.” Tails drooped.

We barked back. “Say it isn’t so Dad. We want to meet our cousin. Don't let it happen.”

“Guys, I’m sorry. I know you were looking forward to teaching him the Collie way.”

Essex barked “What about fence patrol?”

Deacon chimed in “Who's going to show him the best way to get a belly rub?”

“We need to move on guys. It just wasn’t meant to be. His pack is moving and he will join them after the move. You know he will have a great furever family; he just won’t be living in Key West.”

So as you can tell we are blue. We wish could have at least met our cousin. "Nuts, Nuts, Nuts, Nuts. "

Essex & Deacon

No. 1 Cousin

Wow, Booker and Reilly are good at sniffing thing out. It was indeed cousin number 1 in our August post, that is coming down to Key West. Did our cousin have a little birdie relay that information to you? We sure didn't know which one.

His family to be decided to visit Holmhaven last weekend. As they come in the yard to visit, he strolls up to them and says to them. "Hi, your my family. I think we will have a lot of fun together. " He played with their son and just had a good time with the visit. He sure must be excited about coming to Key West and his furever home.

He is making us guess about what his name be though. We've heard Harley, Jazz, Ranger and Spartan mentioned most often. We have heard a couple other names too. We will hopefully, find out this weekend and find out his name for sure.

Dog Speed and Tosca in '08,

Essex & Deacon

#1 Cousin with his hooman family

#1 Cousin just looking adorable

Doggone Party

Good news, our pal Mack is okay. Mack lives 30 miles south of Houston. He posted for the first time since Ike yesterday. We are so happy that he is okay.

Now we need to announce our support in the upcoming paws-idential race. The Collies support the Doggone Party. It has the perfect candidate. That candidate has lived up to the Party’s name by doing a Ross Pawrow. The perfect candidate is of course Tosca. We realize Tosca hasn’t blogged lately, but she is just living up to the Doggone Party’s name.

Maybe this election year hoomans will listen to the words of past Paws-idents.
-- Harry S. Truman: "You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.”
-- Calvin Coolidge: "Any man who does not like dogs and want them about does not deserve to be in the White House."
-- Woodrow Wilson: "If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience."

Isn't it time you have a friend in the White House? Vote Tosca in 08.

Four More Awards

September has been a busy months for us. We evacuated to Orlando for Ike, visited friends in St. Augustine and still worrying about our cyber-paw pal Mack in Texas. We received two awards early in the month then received four more. Yes, September has been busy.

On 4 September, Reilly honored us with the Golden Paw Award. We are truly bark-less about receiving that award. We are trying to figure out why Dog Dad keeps singing the theme song from the James Bond movie "Goldfinger" and talking about somebody named Oddjob. We won't worry unless we see a bowler hat.

Next on 12 September, Booker gave us our "Oak Leaf Cluster" or "Bar" for the "I Love Your Blog" Awards. Charlie first awarded us this one on 3 September. We love getting awards a second time. We think Booker has a pawsome blog too. However, we the Collies do not pass awards that are received a second time. We just give oak-leaf cluster or bar for it.

On 18 September, Kess awarded a different "I love your blog award." This award comes with a set of rules.

***start copy***
The rules of the award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you have nominated.

The seven we want to give this award to are Booker, Charlie, Tatum, Jake & JH, Sunny,Scooter & Jamie; Josh & Jess and Maximillian the Valliant.

The day before on 18 September, Oorvie awarded us the first ever smart pup award for giving the correct answer to Kenopia Puzzle 4. We had never been the first to receive an award before.

Life is good when you feel loved and appreciated.

Essex & Deacon

Paws-idential Quotes

Since it is an election year, we need to get our paws a little dirty. So the next several weeks, we will bend your ear and cover some Paw-littlecal subjects in our off beat way. We intend to try our paw in making some "Kenopia Puzzles" like our cyber-paw pal Oorvi on the topic of "All the Presidents Dogs" before the elections.

The Collies of course support the Doggone Party. Our candidate is true to the party's name and has been pulling a Ross Pawrow the last couple months with her blog.

We get to hear paw-laticans talk, and talk and talk for the next couple month. Below are a dozen Paws-idential quotes. See if you can match the quote to the Paws-ident. The answer is right after the quote, but you will need to highlight that part because answers are colored white. You may be surprised just how much or maybe how little things have change.

The twelve paws-idents are:
1 - George Washington
2 - Andrew Jackson
3 - Chester A. Arthur
4 - Benjamin Harrison
5 - Theodore Roosevelt
6 - Calvin Coolidge
7 - Herbert Hoover
8 - Franklin D. Roosevelt
9 - Dwight D. Eisenhower
10 - Lyndon Johnson
11 - Ronald Reagan
12 - William Jefferson Clinton

“When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer “Present” or “Not guilty.”” Theodore Roosevelt

"Blessed are the young for they shall inherit the national debt." Herbert Hoover

"There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no independence quite so important, as living within your means." Calvin Coolidge

"We Americans have no commission from God to police the world." Benjamin Harrison

"When people speak to you about a preventive war, you tell them to go and fight it. After my experience, I have come to hate war." Dwight D. Eisenhower

"I am neither bitter nor cynical but I do wish there was less immaturity in political thinking." Franklin D. Roosevelt

"If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read: "President Can't Swim." " Lyndon Johnson

“Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” George Washington

"History teaches that war begins when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap." Ronald Reagan

"Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error." Andrew Jackson

"I may be president of the United States, but my private life is nobody's damned business." Chester A. Arthur

“I am in support of the NRA position on gun control.” William Jefferson Clinton

Silver Lining

We hope every-paw and hooman stay safe from Herricane Ike. We are really worried what is happening in Texas.

We evacuated to Orlando, FL on Sunday and stayed at hotel with a wonderful walking area. There was a pet friendly park in barking distance. We walked on our leash there and found interesting things to sniff.

Deacon at the Hotel
Essex at rest

Tuesday Dad drove to St. Augustine for our surprises. First we stopped by the home of Oreo & Snoopy. Those two were Essex’s favorite Angel Paws Park paw-pals as a pupster. They left in December 2005 and it has been almost three years since she had seen them. Essex uncharacteristically wagged her tail and jumped on their Dog Mom. We went for a long walk and visit.

Oreo is happy to see us.
Snoopy sez Howl-low Essex

Next Dog Dad drove fifteen miles north. Deacon smelled familiar scents and his tail wagged. Something was familiar but he couldn’t place it. Then Dog Dad turned into a strangely familiar yard. Deacon’s jaw dropped when his saw Carol, his previous Dog Mom; her mother; sister Cici and their friend Nancy. Deacon calmly received big hugs and loved the comments about what a big handsome lad he is now. Deacon was in heaven from all that attention. Essex noted Deacon’s behavior and uncharacteristically relaxed, which amazed Dog Dad.

Deacon was well behaved and went around sniffing his favorite spaces in his old home. He charmed them with his calm loving demeanor. They said Deacon was on the way to being a juvenile pup-linquent. As a puppy, Deacon would jump on people, nip and mouth hard enough to bruise the skin. He went through the screen door once and pulled really hard during walks. Once Carol’s Mom scolded Deacon, then the phone rang and when she started talking on the phone, Deacon just started barking back at her! That pup-linquent behavior led to his return to Holmhaven. It was a hard decision and Carol cried all the way to and from Holmhaven. She was upset about leaving her little boy and what would happen to him. When she told Dad that seeing Deacon again brought a sense of closure, Dad thought of his five-cent dog, Pudgy.

Deacon sits pretty for Carol

Dog Dad was proud when they exclaimed what a wonderful Collie Deacon had become. Under the calm assertive leadership of Auntie Essex and Dog Dad, Deacon fell right in line. We met Annie too. Annie is a wonderful older rescue Collie. She plays very rarely but was a pawtastic Collie. Dad was sad when it was time to leave.

Annie posses with her favorite tuggee toy

Annie liked Dog Dad

We could tell on the way back that Dad was thinking of Pudgy and he was glad he took Deacon to visit his former home. When we stopped for gas on the way back to the Orlando, we got a special hug. Life is good, we love our Dog Dad and he loves us.

Essex & Deacon

Dogs and Their Hoomans

Dad is trying to find where he put his camera. It is buried in one of the travel bags. We will save our evacuation adventures for this weekend. In the meanwhile, we were e-barked this interesting article about dogs and their hoomans. The title and hyper-link follow "What Does Your Dog Says About You?"

Bet you thought only Jeb told about his Dog Dad's Baked Bean recipe. There were 50 dog breeds selected and we were happy to see Collies were one of them. Oh, you want to know what the article said Dog Dad was like?

"Collie (Rough) & (Smooth) – Collie owners are sincere and compassionate about life. They are often family-oriented and enjoy traditional family activities. They like to keep things together and for those with children, empty nest syndrome can be severe. They like to get things done and don't procrastinate. If you want something done, and done right, ask a collie owner. Favorite TV show: Lassie (of course!)"

We are not so sure about that procrastinate part but the rest is pretty true. If it has to be done, Dad does it. However, there about a dozen projects waiting to be done in the house. Of course Dog Dad will tell you it is simply mind over matter. If he doesn't mind then it just doesn't matter. Aroooooo. That is our Dog Dad.

Essex & Deacon

We Are Safe

Cyber Paw Pals, we are tired but safe. We are worried about our friends in Texas and Louisiana. We had hoped that Herricane Ike was a tropical storm right now, but that did not happen.

We appreciated every comment. It is good to know so many cyber-paw pals care about us. Our house is dry and safe. It is a mess but Dog Dad doesn't care right now, he wants to sleep. We will start cleaning tomorrow.

There was a small silver lining with the evacuation. We got to see Snoopy & Oreo. Then a visit to Deacon's old family. We will have stories and pictures tomorrow. But first sleep and a prayer for those in the path of Ike.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

Ike Evacuation

Dog Dad is drying off from taking a shower. He has a few things to unplug and will be raising the computer off the ground. Then it is off to Orlando.

Our anxiety is lower and we've prepared our best. We hope to be able to get together with our paw pals at Angel Paws to play after this is over. Things are looking better for us, but we wish that Ike would weaken.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

Sattelite Photo of Ike

Ike's Projected Path

We Don't Like Ike

If this was Dwight D. Eisenhower, we would like Ike. Herricane Ike, we no like. Dog Dad is busy getting things together in the house. We can tell he is worried.

We got our hotel reservations in Orlando ready. In the Miami / Ft. Lauderdale area, Jake and JH have offerred to put us up; the same goes for our friend Daru and her Maltese Teacups. Our friend Lucy has said we can sleep over in Valdosta, GA. It wonderful to have friends.

Yesterday and today the Angel Paws regulars got together. We are all worried if we will get to chase and play together again. We are preparing for the worst and praying for the best. Only time will tell cyber-paw pals. But as long as we have our packs, life is good.

Deacon and Frosty Paws at play

Bear sure has grown

Sasha takes a breather

Jake with the football

Deacon & Essex watch the fence line.

Jake and Bear chew the pig skin

P.J. stands at attention

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

September Awards

Our good friend Charlie passed us a couple of awards. It is always good to have a cyber-paw friend like Charlie. A popular friend that is always willing to pass on good fortune to others. Thank You, Charlie.




We will follow the rules, like loyal collies do. Here they are:

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog

2. Link the person you received your award from

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Put links of those blogs on yours, and

5. Leave a message on the blogs that you've nominated

We believe the following seven are deserving. We tried to make sure you didn't have these awards, but in case you already have on consider this as an "award-and-bar" like the is done for the DFC and VCs; or in the case of us Yanks we have an "award with a oak leaf cluster." Since Charlie passed us two, we will double it for you too. Geo & Romeo, Pacco, Oorvi, Mac, Opie & Gomer, Ludo van Puppy and Cookie & Gray Dawntreader.

There are many others deserving these awards too and we have seen these awards on a quite a few blogs. We don't remember, who has the awards, probably the result from to many Pawsters and Kennel Brews during the Ekka. We love all the blogs we visit and comment on; and hope you enjoy ours too.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon