Vet Appointment Friday

Hi, every paw.  I will get to see the vet Friday.  First of all I want to ensure every-paw I am doing fine.  I run, play and bother Dad and Essex like usual.  It is just I shake my head more often and my ear feels strange.  Dad tells me it keeps getting dirty fast and thinks I have an infection.  I'll find out tomorrow.

Aroo, It's me Sherman



Right Ear -Clean

Left Ear - Gunky

In the meanwhile, do you think I can convince Dad, another treat just might get rid of the infection?  I keep trying but he just laughs and tells me "Sherman, you must think I am daft." 

Dog Speed,

Sherman

Dad to Call Vet Tomorrow

Dad is going to call our vet tomorrow to schedule Sherman for a visit.  He is shaking his head and his left ear is getting dirty quick.  Dad thinks Sherman has an ear infection.  We'll find out when we can get him in for a visit tomorrow morning.

But Dad, I Swear that I'm Doing Fine

 So until tomorrow, paw-pals.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

Missing Deacon

A year ago today, Deacon crossed the rainbow bridge.  Essex and Sherman have done an outstanding job of helping me heal; but today a year later, I miss my silly boy.  In many ways Sherman and Deacon are similar yet different. 

Deacon -2011

Physically both are sable and white male collies.  Deacon was a big collie, weighing in at around 84 lbs, Deacon was taller and longer than Sherman.  Sherman weighs about 60 lbs and is just a little taller than Essex.  Deacon was tall enough that he could look out the window, while standing on all fours.  I would frequently see that face looking out the window at me, when I arrived home.  Both were lean collies and not over weight.  Deacon had a half-collar with the white on his right side, his ears stood upright ears and the dark brown around the eyes gave a sad soulful look up close.  Sherman has a full collar, tipped ears and was a cryptorchid.  Deacon had a low solid bark, while Sherman is higher pitched

Deacon, One-Year Old and Bigger than Essex

Sherman is Essex's size

 The two collies have a slightly different personality.  Both extremely outgoing.  Deacon was a more into people than dogs, while Sherman prefers the company of other canines.  Sherman is vocal, barking at the other dogs when he plays, at people when he wants attention.  Deacon was not nearly that vocal.  Both Deacon and Sherman enjoyed standing on the center console of my Ford Explorer during our rides to Angel Paws.  Deacon would nibble and lick my ear when I drove, while Sherman tends to lean on me during the drive. 

Deacon's Tail, High and Curled

Deacon on His Back

Both of them tended to sleep at the side of my bed. Deacon frequently slept on his back, while I don’t remember seeing Sherman doing that.  When we got up in the morning Deacon would tilt his head and give you a quizzical look that seemed to say "Are you ready to go for our walk?" Deacon tended to pull on the leash to smell something or to meet some paw/person. Sherman rarely pulls.  During walks Deacon was excited and his tail was normally raised and curled, it reminded me of a shepherds staff.  Sherman tail is normally low, but does come up some times.  Deacon was more of a Collie Ambassador to those he met on our walks or at the park.  Both loved attention from humans and treats.   Deacon was more mischievous, I can remember him stealing a biscuit out of some persons pocket more than once.  Sherman will sit and bark at you if he wants something. 

Both Essex and Sherman are in the room by me right now.  They can sense my feelings.  Yes, I miss my silly boy.  It has been a year since, he left and thinking about him can result in moist eyes.  Ah, here come Essex and Sherman.  A couple licks to tell me that they love me.  I am lucky to have two good collies like Essex & Sherman.

Deacon's Urn

I found myself talking to Deacon's ashes today.  Telling him how much I missed him.  Wishing his time with me had been longer.  Deke, watch over us and keep your pack safe.

Dog Dad

A Hot Night

Things are finally cooling down.  It was hot last night and this morning.  None of our pack slept well in the Florida heat and humidity.  It turns out that collie hair and central air conditioners don't exactly go together.  Collie hair coated the inside of the air conditioner, the compressor ran extra hard and the outside unit blew a part. 

Dad called the air conditioning guy, who showed up around 2 PM.  In the meanwhile Dog Dad gave us some peanut butter and cheese flavored ice cream.  The cold treat hit the spot and we are sure all of you would love it. 

Sherman Enjoys Some Ice Cream

Essex Likes Peanut Butter and Cheese Ice Cream

After a couple hours the air conditioner was up and running.  The collies are cool, and all of us our catching a nap inside a much cooler house.

Bark at you tomorrow 

Essex, Sherman and ZZZ

New Pals at Angel Paws

We are always meeting new pals at Angel Paws.  We want to introduce you to Scout, Picasso and Stanley.  They come visit us at Angel Paws some days.  Scout is just a pup, so Sherman plays with him all the time.  It is really fun to watch Sherman play with the little guy.  Sherman is very careful when he plays with the smaller dogs.


Sherman & Scout Say Hi



Sherman Tells Scout a Secret



Picasso

Stanley



Happy Mutter's Day - 2012

Happy Mutter's Day to all you Mutter's out there. 

Since Grand-Maw crossed the bridge in January 2008, this day has been tough on Dog Dad.  Essex says that he used to talk a lot Grand-Maw.  When we went on our walk this morning, he talked about Grand-Maw.  He looked up at the stars during our walk and wished he a Happy Mutter's Day. 

Thank you Grand-Maw.  You raised a good hooman.

Essex & Sherman

Terhune Stamp Petition

The Terhune Sunnybank Memorial (TSM) is having a petition drive to convince the U.S. Post Office to create an Albert Payson Terhune stamp as part of their “American Authors” series.  At the bottom of this post is a PNG file of the “Petition” in case you want to print a copy to sign in support of this noble effort. 

Terhune in a Collie Conference

We found out about this because of our subscription to a newsletter called “The Lookout” published by TSM.  Now the US Post Office likes to do things around the 50^th or 100^th anniversary.  2016 is the anniversary of the very first time a story about a Sunnybank Collie was published.  The title “His Mate” was featured in Red Book Magazine in January 1916.   This was the first appearance of Lad, the 80 pound collie that many of us came to love and wish was our dog.  Terhune is famous for his novels about his beloved collies, among the titles are Lad: A dog, His Dog, Lochinvar Luck, The Heart of Dog and Gray Dawn to name a few.  Terhune breed and showed outstanding collies as well.  The Sunnybank blood line can be found in many rough collies in the United States.  Terhune was born in 1872 and crossed the bridge in 1942.  We imagine a swirling large pack of collies rejoicing as the come to meet their master crossing the bridge.   

Terhune sitting with Lad, Bruce, and Wolf

1922 second printing cover

The Post Office likes proof that people are interested in a Terhune stamp.  So TSM is trying to get at least a thousand signatures, but more would be even better.  Please join them in showing the U.S. Post Office the power of the paw with your signatures.  Below is a copy of the petition.  It has the address of the Marilyn Horowitz, who is gathering the signature.  Have your friends sign, TSM says some folks have posted a copy in their vets office for folks to sign. Even if yours is the only name on the petition TSM will be happy to receive it.  As for us, we plan to see if our paw pals at Angel Paws Dog Park will add their name to ours on the petition.   

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman