Essex's Ninth Bark-Aversary

Dog Dad woke up this morning, walked over to me and gave me a sloppy kiss right on my forehead.  Then he said "Happy Bark-Aversary Essex."  I looked at him and smiled.  Then we went for a walk and when we got home it was dog treat heaven.  Cheddar collies, dog treats and cheese.   


Essex Chilling Out

A Little Grayer Around The Muzzle

Bowsers, it is hard to believe that I have lived with my Dog Dad for nine years.  We have had lots of adventures together.  Plenty of happy and some sad times.  We look out for each other too.  Below is a picture taken during the first couple of months in Key West. 

Young Essex Finding Out About Coconuts

We'll time to go, see you next year cyber-paw pals.

Essex

Buddy & Islay E-Bark Us

Hope every paw is having a happy Collie Day.  We wanted to share two pawtographs we got from our friends.  Essex's brudder and Sherman's Grand Paw dropped us a line.  We think he looks pawsome with Santy Paws. 

Buddy and Santy Paws

Islay Sends A E-Bark From Across The Pond

Next is a picture of Islay, who e-barked us from jolly old England.  He sure looks like he is having fun.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

Essexmas 2012

We wish all of you a merry and holy Essexmas.  We are enjoying are time with Dad and his brudder.  We got a morning walk and plenty of treats this morning.  Then Dad made us some Cheddar Collies.

Hurry Up Essexmas, Don't Be Late

Santa Paws Helper

Wearing Silly Hats For Dad

Cheddar Collies A Cooling


Have a blessed and safe Essexmas.  We post some more tomorrow.

Essex, Sherman & Dog Dad


Celebrating Terhune's Barkday

The world hasn't ended today but we are celebrating Albert Payson Terhune's 140th Barkday today.  Terhune was a big man, standing 6’ 2” tall and was born in Newark, New Jersey.   He was a famous author, dog breeder and journalist.  There were three loves in his life:  his wife, his dogs and his home.  That made him a rich man in our books.  Many of you know his name from reading his collie books.  Hearts and minds soared reading the likes of Lad : A Dog, Bruce, His Dog, Further Adventures of Lad, The Heart of a Dog, Treve, Wolf, Gray Dawn, Lad of Sunnybank and The Way of a Dog to name a few books.    



Writing Away Sunnybank with Lad, Bruce & Wolf

Terhune also wrote the newspaper column “Calling All Dogs” and wrote other articles too.  “Calling All Dogs” appeared in many cities across the US, to include Pittsburgh, Charleston, Fresno, Salt Lake City and Trenton.  During the mid 1930s, Terhune had a fifteen minute radio show.   

Mr. Terhune was an excellent breeder and served as a dog show judge at times.  His Sunnybank Kennel was famous.  Squire (Champion Sunnybank Sigurdson) had a stud fee of $35, which would be over $470 dollars in 2012.  Now that stud fee could buy a lot of biscuits.

Most of all, there were his chums, the collies.  Their names are familiar to collie lovers.  Among them are Lad, Lady, Wolf, Bruce, Bobby, Jean, Gray Dawn, Jock, Treve, Squire, Explorer, Fair Ellen, Thane, and King Coal to name a few.  We found the story of Fair Ellen the most intriguing because she was born blind but lived a full, happy life. 

Happy Barkday Mr. Terhune

We don't believe the world will end today, but we do believe Albert Payson Terhune, his wife Anice and those amazing Sunnybank Collies are smiling at some of us and laughing at others from across the rainbow bridge today.  

"Happy Barkday Mister Terhune.  We toast you, your life, your collies and the timeless influence of your books."  

 

"Hey Dad, pass an extra dog treat"   

Essex, Sherman & Dog Dad

17 December - Fur Report

It has been a quite week at our home.  Dad is still baking Essexmas Cookies.  Friday was a very sad day as we watched the news coming in from Connecticut.  We know there are a lot of families in pain and our prayers are with them. 

Come On Browns

Dog Biscuits, The Browns Lose Again

We spent Sunday watching our favorite team.  We barked with the rest of the dog pound, but to no avail, the Browns lost.  Sigh.

Sherman's Fur Is Growing Back

We want to let OJ know that Sherman's fur is growing back okay and we were wondering how his fur is coming in.  The fur needs to lengthen and fill in the hole.

Hope every paw is doing well and getting ready for Essexmas.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

Sanctuary

There are times we make Dad chuckle and the antics of Essex got him laughing and shaking his head yesterday.  Dad decided it was a good day for grooming.  Both of us had "Hobbit Paws" and  were in need of a good brushing and trim.  Sherman got to go first.  He gives Dad his ugly face but that doesn't work.  Dad is busy trimming the paws when he hears a strange thumping noise.  He stops and looks around and notices Essex is missing. 

"Sanctuary, Sanctuary" Call Me Essexmodo 

He looks around some more and there is Essex.  She is in her kennel, which she hardly ever goes in anymore.  He let out a hearty laugh, smiles and says "Okay Essex, you've delayed grooming for a day.  You are one very smart Collie."  Dad has a rule that he never messes with us if we are in our kennels.  Essex didn't want to get a brush and a trim so she used the sanctuary of the kennel.  

Hobbit Foot

Could Essex Be A Proudfoot or A Baggins?

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

10 DEC 2012

Dog Dad is thinking of Deacon.  It was six years ago today that he picked him up at Holmhaven.  A young pup going on his third home.  We can feel the presence of Deacon by our side, telling us it is all okay.  We think of those eyes, that always seemed to have a special twinkle in them.  When Dad drives to the park today, the memory of being licked behind the ear while driving will come to mind.  The memory of coming home with the big guy and how Essex & Deacon frolicked together will be in Dog Dad's mind. 

Deacon - The Collie Ambassador

Sherman has showed up for some attention.  Both Essex & Sherman will get an extra special hug today.  They deserve it. 

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman & Dog Dad

A Foggy Morning

When we went outside for our morning walk it was foggy.  We all love walking in the fog, it feels so relaxing.  Afterwards we got our dog treats and daily heart worm pills.  Next Dad went off to the grocery store.  Then we e-barked with our pal Skye and Anne in the DWB Chat Room.  We do that just about every Sunday morning.

It Was a Foggy Morning

Then Dad was busy doing laundry, cleaning the house and watching football.  After awhile we went to Angel Paws.  Sadly, none of our pals showed up.  Essex watched for evil golf carts and bicycles.  She barked at a few of them.  Sherman went around sniffing and then sat down by Dad.  As you can tell, his hair is slowly growing back.  We wonder how OJ's hair is coming in.

Sherman's Hair Is Slowly Growing Back

Watching For Evil Golf Carts

Hope all of you had a pawsome Sunday.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

A Time For Healing

It has been a time for healing since our last post.  First we want to thank every-paw that visited our friend Lady I.  It is definitely helping her Dog Mom through a rough spot. 

Protecting Dad's Shoes

Meanwhile at the Home Front, the sprain and the swelling by Essex's leg has healed.  Aspirin was suggested as a possibility.  We e-barked our cyber-pal, Opie's Mom, who worked as a vet tech for awhile.  She relayed aspirin can have an exaggerated effect of blood thinning with dogs and even though some vets recommend it, she wouldn't use it on Opie.  She personally knew of two dogs that bleed to death before  they got to the vet because of a scratch they got in the back yard.  That was enough to discourage Dad, so Essex limped for a couple days.  She is back to be her feisty self as the Secretary of Da-Fence.  Dad woke up yesterday morning and started laughing when he entered the living room.  Essex was sitting on the couch curled around Dad's shoes.  It was good to hear that happy laugh.

Sherman's Fur Is Growing Back

Sherman's fur is growing back and OJ the cat has challenged him to see whose fur grows back first.  We think the winner will be decided by a hair. 

Last week we happened on an article in the LA Times that talked about canine veterans returning from Military Duty and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.  Here is the link to that article: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-military-dogs-20121126,0,1859286.story.  It is definitely worth reading.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

Good Bye Lady II

We just got a sad call from Georgia.  We could hear the strain and sorrow in the voice.  Lady II has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  Her Dog Mom is having a problem posting to their blog, so we will do a short post for her now. 

Lady II

Essex knew Lady II well.  During drives to Ohio, the pack would stop to visit their pack in Georgia.  Lady I and II lived in Key West, and got together with Essex and Deacon at Angel Paws several times.  The first time was in 2007, shortly after we started our blog. 

Lady I, Deacon, Essex and Lady II at Angel Paws

In fact Dog Dad was thinking of adopted Lady I, but their Dog Mom adopted her before Dog Dad had a chance to go see her at the SPCA.  Know then Lady II did not have an easy life early on.  She did find a really pawsom home in the end.  We can think of very few better homes. 

Lady II, Santy Paws and Lady I

We feel very sad for their pack.  Their Dog Mom has a very big heart and we know this is very hard on her.  If you get a chance stop by and visit their blog and drop their pack a kind word.  Here is the link to their blog http://dscollies.blogspot.com/.  Hopefully, their Dog Mom can get her blog working to do an even better post soon. 

Dog Speed Lady II.  We are sure that Deacon is waiting at the gate to greet his friend.

Furever your friends,

Essex, Sherman and Dog Dad

Bad Sprain

Well, I'm getting extra attention from Dog Dad.  I was broadsided and tumbled at Angel Paws by another dog while I was doing fence patrol.  I came up limping but seemed to be okay.  We went for our morning walk and I limped initially, but seemed to be okay. 

Giving Dad A Sad Look

The Paw On The Left Is Swollen

After our walk, treats and daily heart worm pill;then I laid down to rest.   Dad looked at my leg and noticed that the top of the foot looked bigger. He felt it and there was swelling.  He petted me and said that I'll have to be taking it easy the next couple days, sigh.

Dog Speed,

Essex

North and South E-Barks

We got a couple notes this Thanksgiving from two of our pals that have moved.

First Sherman's bestest paw-pal Leo is doing fine.  Leo lives in Maine and experienced his first meeting with snow a couple weeks ago.  Then earlier this week, his Dog Dad arrived at Leo's new home where he was staying with his Dog Mom.  Leo was happy, barking and jumping like a crazy dog.  We can understand that feeling.  Leo said when he went to one of the dog parks, he saw a dog that looked like Sherman.  As he got closer, Leo realized the pup was a lot smaller than Sherman.  

Leo Barked That Snow Is Cold

He Looked Like A Small Sherman

Then we got a note from Gino, who moved a couple years ago.  Gino is now living in Gitmo and has a nice size yard to run around in.  His hoomans are doing well and we hope he'll e-bark us some pictures.


2009 Paw-to-graph of Gino

It sure is grrreat to hear from our pals, but we really wish they were here with us. 

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

Thanksgiving 2012

Hope every paw in cyber-paw land has a most excellent Thanksgiving.  Both of us talked it over and told Dad we needed to spend some time at the Angel Paws Dog Park.   We remember Thanksgivings past.  Essex talked about one in Ohio back in 2009.  Essex, Deacon and Dog Dad visited Grand-Paw to help celebrate his 91st Barkday.  A special plus was that it snowed Thanksgiving day.  That really perked Sherman's interest as he really wants to see snow.

Essex & Sherman Discuss Thanksgiving Plans

Essex Remember Thanksgivings Past

Sherman Wishing All A Pawsome Thanksgiving

The below picture is from Essex's puppy days and is the perfect picture to represent Thanksgiving.



Pawfect Thanksgiving Pawtograph



From our pack to yours Happy Thanksgiving.

Essex, Sherman & Dog Dad

Sherman Report - 18 NOV 12

Harrroo folks, it is me Sherman. 

A Sullen Sherman

I'm healing okay.  The scab is now gone and Dad sez my bald spot feels like a baby's bottom.  The fur is coming in on some of the side, the part I went after is coming in much slower.  Sigh. 

Sherman's Scab Is Gone

Essex and I are really happy right now, because Dad took off the entire week to spend with us.  Though he claims it is to do work around our den (aka the house).

Dog Speed,

Sherman

Honoring Canine Soldiers

We were searching the Internet and found out that a Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is being made.  Now there are cities, cemeteries and military bases throughout the US that honor our canine paw-fathers with statues and monuments, but none are national monuments. 

During the Rose Bowl Parade on 1 January 2013 a floral replica of the monument will be in the parade.  That is one float we are looking forward to seeing.  Later that day the float will be parked by the real monument.

The actual monument will have a present day soldier and four dogs.  The dogs are a Doberman, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever and Belgian Malinois.  The eventual home of the monument will be Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.   That is the place where the Alamo is located. 

Here is a link to the Associated Press Report on the monument and a second link to about the monument that is taking donations for the monument.   Both sites have pictures of the monument and the second link has interesting reading about the True Dog Faced Soldiers and their service in the United States Military. 

For instance by late 1944 there were seven primary breeds of dogs chosen for military service.  One of those breeds was the Collie.  Collies were trained as messengers because we were fast, alert, had excellent endurance and easy to work with.  We knew that, but it was nice having Dad read it to us.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman 

Sherman Is Healing

Hi, cyber-paw pals.  I got to go to the dog park yesterday, boy was I happy.  None of my pals were there, but it was fun to sniff the grass and walk around. 

Dad told me that I'm healing nicely, even though it will take time to loose the scab and grow fur.  I haven't had to wear the cone since Thursday.  It doesn't smell as bad and the wound is dry.  I'm getting better and Dad is smiling at me.

We recently changed our settings to not allow a-non-a-mouse comments.  Let us know if it impacts you by commenting on our chat box on the right or e-barking us.  We are just tired of the getting five to ten spam comments a day. 

Dog Speed,

Sherman

Cone of .....

Okay, Dad is upset with me.  I am stuck wearing this cone when he goes to bed or goes to work.  Thursday Dad noted a little spot and put some otomax on it that night and in the morning.  When he got back from work Friday, I made it into a huge spot.  Boy was he grumpy.

Listening for Space Aliens

Saturday morning off to see the Doc Waddell, our vet.  No openings, but there is one Monday.  So Dad got a cone for me.  I was a bit upset about it, but Dad made sure I wore the cone.  We went to the park Sunday and we saw a bald eagle in a big tree in the field across the street.  Sigh, Dad forgot his camera.

My Fur, They Shaved Me

Big Ouchie

We see Doc on Monday and Dad sighs relief as there is no infection.  They cut hair and shave the spot, putting a huge visible spot on my rear flank.  As we are leaving the Vets, Dad tells me no dog park.  I'm like come on Dad, but he is adamant.  No park for four or five days, that side has to heal.  Sigh, there is no winning when Dad gets that look in his eyes.

Dog Speed,

Sherman  (AKA Grounded in Key West)

Collieween 2012

To every paw out there "Happy Collieween."  It is Dog Dad's favorite day in the Keys.  About 150 or 200 trick or treaters stop by our house.  Dog Dad just camps out outside.  We get to stay in the bedroom, something about little kids being scared by barky collies.  Heck, we are just trying to give them a trick, since Dad has the treat part covered. 

Below our two favorite Collieween pawtographs.  We didn't take them, but we think they are pawsome.

Happy Collieween

Trick or Treat

On a sad note, our pal Skye had one of her pack cross the rainbow bridge yesterday. Dog Dad found out on the telephone, as we were concerned about their pack because of Hurricane Sandy visiting the north east. Dave crossed after the storm had passed.  He was 13 years old and had retired from the sled team.   Both Dog Mom and the Team will miss him. They haven't posted about it yet, but if you get a chance stop by the http://moondancehuskiessleddogteam.blogspot.com and give them a kind word or two. 

Dave  Crossed the Bridge Yesterday

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

Hoping Every Paw is Okay

We hope all our friends up the northeastern United States are okay.  We just got a call from Skye and she is doing fine.  Still haven't heard from Leo and his Mom and other paws.  Our prayers have been going going out for a lot of paws and hooomans.  We are used to having other paws worry about us, so this is unusual.  We believe our pal Asta is happy to be living in Budapest instead of NYC right now.

Miles Spent the Night

Sherman Chilling Out

Essex Watching Sherman and Miles

This past week in Key West was busy.  First our new pal Miles came to spend Saturday night with us.   Miles wasn't quite trusting of us at first and spent the first five hours in his kennel.  Sherman spent the first hour barking at him trying to convince him to come out. 

Where is My Sandwich

You Made Me Float Like A Butterfly
Now I'll Sting Like A Bee
That's Why Name is Shermee

Next the Ladies Mom and her friend came down to visit.  They were busy enjoying Fantasy Fest activities.  We stayed home and visited Angel Paws.  Here is the link to our post about their visit last year.   They made Sherman wear butterfly wings, wouldn't let him eat their sandwich and made him go on Duval Street.  Well Sherman is a lot bigger now.

Dog Speed

Essex & Sherman