Tail Down

Well, 2015 is coming to an end.  New Years Eve brings back memories for Dad. On 31 December 2003, Essex came home to live with him.  So he remembers Essex and Deacon the collies that have crossed the bridge, and hugs Gemini and Sherman the collies with him now.  The two collies are right by his side as fire works are going off outside.

Last year at this time Dad was wondering what walking tail, Gemini would have.  The answer is tail down.  Like Essex, I walk with tail down.  So it is one tail up, one tail at half mast and two tails down

Today, we have been in chat and talked to quite a few folks so far.  There was Asta from Budapest, Islay and Blue from England, River from Georgia, Just Harry from Miami, JB from Dallas, Hope from Virginia, Reufus Wright, The White Dog Army from New Mexico.  It sure is fun to have a bunch of folks on chat.  It reminds Dad of the heydays of Dog With Blogs, when ten pups were in the chat room.

Wonder if anyone else will join us before midnight.

Dog Speed,

Sherman and Gemini

Essexmas Pawtographs

The roof is fixed and we are very, very Happy.  Now Dad is not worried about any more damage to the ceiling.  The guys finished the project in two days.  We met the entire crew and they liked both of us.  We have more to do, but we are slowing time down.

Gemini Wearing the Santa Paws Hat 

In Front of All Our Treats

Talking about slowing time down, here are some Essexmas pawtographs of the two of us.  Because I am the youngest, I had to wear the silly hat.  Grumble, grumble.

However, we got lots of pawsome treats.  Gandalf's hoomans even got us some treats, because Gandalf got to stay with us a couple times this year.  No problem there, we love having company.

Gemini's Sister, Shannon at Holmhaven

Gemini got a note from her sister Shannon.  She is doing fine at Holmhaven and wished us a pawsome Holiday season.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Slowing Down Time

We are slowing down time folks.  

Slowing Down Time

The collie mobile is running.  It only needed a new battery and the oil change was done the same time.  Praise be the Great Dane.  

The roofers arrived this afternoon.  They should be finished tomorrow afternoon.  Sure there will be more work to do, but having the roof fixed will be a major headache out of the way.  The next project, getting the ceiling fixed in the master bathroom.

Dad be doing his cards the next two days.  They will be late and knows his friends will understand.  This year things just went loopy.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Essexmas 2015

We wish a Merry Essexmas to all.  We would post some pawtographs but Dad has misplaced the camera.

Essexmas has been okay.  There were plenty of dog treats from Santa Paws.  Later we visited Dad's pal Ed and enjoyed running around Ed's yard.

When we were leaving the Grinch struck.  The collie-mobile wouldn't start.  Ed gave the vehicle a jump and we made it home.  Dad will be calling AAA in the morning as he figures it won't start.

Merry Essexmas to all and may your luck be better than ours.

Sherman, Gemini and an exasperated Dog Dad.

A December to Remember

Bowsers, we had to get on Dad to post.  Things have been hectic for him.  His job, our home, the collie-mobile and the Key West cough have left him wanting the world to slow down.  He hasn't even sent out cards out yet, because he has been bouncing around like a Jack Russel on a racquetball court.

At work he is going through resumes and doing a handful of projects he got at the last minute.  Your hoomans that work have probably went through that.  At home a leak in the flat roof went from bad to worse.  The good news there is that the roofers should take care of our roof the week after Essexmas.  (In our pack, we always refer to Christmas as Essexmas.)  

The collie-mobile had a check engine light go with a note about fuel fill inlet.  The collie-mobile went to the Ford Dealership to get looked at and then a week later was repaired. That was covered by a warranty, so no dog biscuits lost.  The dealer commented about having to fill the tires, two days later the low pressure for the tire light goes off.  The tire found a screw in the road, so off comes the tire and Dad takes it to Sears.  Happily, we had enough bonus points that the tire was fixed for free.  Then yesterday the tire light goes off, with tire pressure system light warning.  It went away the next day.  Dad thinks it is the spare tire.  He will put the regular tire on tomorrow.

Dad has the Key West cough.  A number of hoomans are coughing, no fever or sick feeling, just a persistent cough.  It is driving Dad nutty.  He going through Halls cough drops like a collie shedding fur.  He did bake Essexmas cookies during all of this.  He has more importantly taken us to the Dog Park, so we are happy.  Talk about cookies, Karma's hoomans gave us home made dog treats.  Bowsers, they were pawtastic.

Gemini Play Bows in Our Backyard

Gemini at Angel Paws 

Lots of Pups at Angel Paws 

Cookies from Karma

When Dad went to the vet to weigh Gemini on Tuesday, he met Ollie and his Mom.  He had not seen Ollie since 2009.  Ollie's Mom is now in a wheel chair.  Ollie's Mom though we were Essex and Deacon.  Dad introduced us both and told her both of them had crossed the bridge.  Dad was happy to see both of them. It brought back memories of Essex, Deacon and numerous paw pals that have left for new horizons. That brought a smile to his face.

2009 Pawtograph - Ollie and Deacon

We will write more later.  Right now we are trying to slow life down for Dad.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Busy Colliedays and Remembering the Past

Things are hectic by us.  An idiot light in the collie-mobile is going to get fixed Wednesday.  We have a leak in the roof, that we have to get fixed.  Dad said it was going to be his Essexmas present to himself.  Hope it doesn't cut into our dog treats.

Red Resting at Angel Paws 

Sherman Barks, Gemini in the Background 

Sherman 

Gemini

Angel Paws has busy and slow days.  Red has returned, but he is a lot grayer than last year. Gemini weighed in at 35 lbs on Saturday.  She sure has grown.  

Blue Tarp

As usual Dad had his moment of silence as he remembered Pearl Harbor.  We found some old songs from during WW II song by Carson Robison.  We thought many of you would enjoy listening to them.  Dad has been humming them most of the day.  

  - "Remember Pearl Harbor"

  - "Mother Goose Rhymes"

  - "The Dame I Left Behind Me"

  - "I'm In the Army Now"

Last but not least is this spooky picture of Gemini. Egad, those eyes.  We will have to use that pawtograph for Collieween.

Spooky Gemini Picture

Dog Speed,

Sherman, Gemini & Dog Dad

Catching Up

We kept meaning to post, but life kept getting in the way.  Sigh.

Dad was off Tuesday last week and our buddy Gandalf stopped over while his Dad was golfing.  Dad was home because the check engine light came on inside the collie-mobile.  Gandalf was surprised how big I had gotten.  Here is a link to my first meeting with Gandalf

Gandalf the Border Collie

Gemini Resting in Our Backyard

Gemini & Gandalf

Sherman, Gemini & Gandalf

Earlier last week Gemini was playing with Sky, Dad noted Gemini had a bloody mouth and Sky's Mom saw blood on her fur.  First they thought Gemini bit her tongue, but they were wrong.  She was loosing a tooth.  Dad tried to grab the tooth, but Gemini swallowed it.  BOL.

Thanksgiving, we got to sniff around one of Dad's friends house, while he visited.  It sure was pawsome to sniff some new smells.

Gemini Resting After a Busy Turkey Day

Hopefully, we will post again soon.

Dog Speed,,

Sherman & Gemini

A Gray Day

It has been a gray day outside, which fit in perfect with Dads mood.

First there is a pawtograph of the two of us together.  As you can see we get along quite well.  We have the whole house but we like laying next to each other.  Dad loves to watch us rest and play.

These Two Collies Are Good Friends 

Dad's gray mood comes from the fact Essex crossed the bridge exactly two years ago today.  Essex could read Dad's mind the best of all the collies that adopted him.  There was absolutely no doubt he was her hooman.  When he looks at Gemini, he sees her.  Then of course Essex's brother Buddy is in her blood line.  Having the two of us around limit the gray days to only a couple days a year.

Deacon & Essex Were Good Chums

Sherman & Essex Got Along Too

We will take care of Dad.  Gemini is barking at him right now telling him she needs to go outside.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Lazy Saturday

Today has been a lazy day.  Gemini woke Dad up extra early.  Then time just slipped away, except for our time at the dog park.  It was only us and Boomer the boxer.  Dad was tired, probably from watching the news coming out of France late yesterday, Friday the 13th.  All of the families are in our prayers.

Gemini & Duck

Sherman and Gemini get along fine.  Dad will frequently laugh while we play.  It is good to see him smile.  Gemini is getting bigger and Dad got her a toy duck.  She enjoys playing with the duck.  .

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Pawtographs - Fall 2015

Gemini keeps growing and we have gotten behind on posting pawtographs.  The collies pal Red is back in town.  He sure is a lot grayer than Sherman remembers him.  Red will tell us stories about Essex and Deacon when we slow down, which isn't very often.

Gemini hasn't picked up on fence patrol, which is okay with Dad.  Watching her bounce on Sherman makes all the hoomans laugh.  Friday we went to the vet and Gemini weighed 28 lb, she has more than doubled in weight.  Well enjoy the pawtographs.

14 OCT - Sherman & Gemini Together at Home 

22 OCT - Red Taking It Easy at Angel Paws 

22 OCT - Gemini Looking Pretty by the Water Bowl

31 OCT - Thinking of a Little Collieween Mischief

31 OCT - Howling for Collieween 

3 NOV - Gemini & Sky Rest

6 NOV - Gemini & Sherman at Home, She Has Grown 

6 NOV - Collie Wars at Home 

8 NOV - Gemini Loves to Put Her Front Paws on the Bench

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Happy Collieween - 2015

We hope everyone had a pawsome Collieween.  That isn't us below, but we love the pawtograph.

Our Favorite Collieween Pawtograph

Gemini continues to amaze Dad.  She went out with him for awhile during Collieween to meet all the little hoomans trick or treating!  She was calm.  She sat down by Dad, sniffed some of the little hoomans.  No jumping, no barking.  Dad was proud.  That is no small thing as Dad went through sixteen bags of candy.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Wilma - Ten Years Later

"Sherman, I heard Dad talking about Wilma, who is Wilma."

"Gemini, my dear girl, Wilma is not a who, Wilma is a what.  Dad is talking about Hurricane Wilma and how it turned his world upside down.  Essex told me about the impacts of Wilma and her efforts to keep Dad sane."

"What did Wilma do, Sherman?"

"Wilma brought a lot of flood waters to Key West on 24 October.  We were luck in that our house took only four inches inside.  It was enough to make Dad throw away his geology books, some baseball cards and furniture away.  The house used to have wall to wall carpeting, the storm surge water took care of that.  Dad spent a lot of time cutting carpet and throwing it away.  All the houses in Key West had mounds of trash in front of them."  

"How did Essex keep Dad sane?  That seems like a really big job for a collie."

"Sweet Gemini, she kept him sane by making him do every day things.  The daily walks, playing, feeding and the fact she stayed by his bed for several weeks after they returned home all played a part.  Having to do daily things gave their lives a sense of normalcy.  This was really important for Dad"  

"Bowsers, I am proud of Essex.  She sure helped Dad out a lot."

"Yes, she did and we do the same thing for him.  We introduce him to new people.  We make hard days easier on him. Gemini there are a couple post about Hurricane Wilma in our blog.  It impacted how Dad looks at a lot of things.  Two of the links are below." 

 - Wilma plus two

 - Wilma plus five

Dad comes over and hugs both of us.  We love him back and he smiles.  All is well in our world.  Dad knows if another Wilma ever visits us, that we will keep him sane.

Dog Speed,

Sherman and Gemini

Missing Essex

Dog Dad has been in a wistful mood today.  We tried to cheer him up, but it is hard today.  He is thinking of Essex.  Today is her barkday and she would have turned 12.  It is hard to believe it has almost been two years since she crossed the bridge.  She came into Dad's life at a time Dad really needed her.  She taught him so much, introduced him to so many people.  Essex had a friendly but reserved personality, just like Dog Dad.

Essex With a Coconut - 2004

Essex Sleeping - 2004

Essex Being Silly in Her Crate

Essex was an extremely smart and focused collie.  She love fence patrol but most of all she loved Dog Dad. Dad misses her soft collie kisses, caring nudges and calm gentle ways. We believe both Essex and Deacon watch over our pack, because mostly good things happen to us. 

A New Chapter - Gemini & Sherman 2015

Dad smiled just know, he told there is a bright side now.  Once more a tri-color female is in our midst.  Gemini is a smart, spunky, out going lass, and is such a good girl.  Dad believes the spirit of Essex helped Gemini choose our pack.  Don't worry, Dad will be fine tomorrow.  If he is a little blue tomorrow, we will remind him that Essex would want him to be happy.  He will know that is the truth and give us both a big hug.  

Dog Speed,

Sherman and Gemini

600th Post - Collie Update

Bowsers, it is hard to believe that this is the 600th post.

Things are going fine around our home.  As you can tell from the below pawtograph, we get along fine. We share the dog bed at the foot of Dog Dad's bed.  Sherman does a pawsome job teaching Gemini the way of the collie. 

Sharing the Dog Bed

We decided to do some Collie Fencing while Dog Dad was watching the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros baseball game.  Dad spent a lot of the time watching our noses engage and teeth go after paws.  It went on for two innings, so you know that was quite some time.  He would smile and laugh at us.  We both love to see him smile.

Sky & Gemini Take a Water Break

Later we went to Angel Paws.  Gemini played with Tonks, Sky and Lilly around.  After they left she chased Sherman.  Gemini is not intimidated by any of the bigger dogs.  She fits right in with everyone else.  A few people told Dog Dad that he should charge admission for all the entertainment that we provide. Gemini is by far the most out going of all the collies that have chosen Dad.  She adores Sherman and follows him around.  The big dog loves the attention from the spunky little collie lass.  The house feels complete with two collies in the house again.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Gemini First Time At Angel Paws

Saturday, 3 October was Gemini's first visit to Angel Paws with all the other pups around.  She was excited to play with the other dogs.  She fit in right away.  Gemini was not intimidated by any of the other older dogs. Every once in awhile Gemini would come check in with Sherman and Dog Dad.  She is a spunky little collie lass and she was very happy to be at the park.  Below are some pawtographs from Gemini's first time at Angel Paws.

Sky Chasing Gemini

Bella, Sky & Gemini

Gemini Sniffing Tonks 

Gemini, Sherman, Tonks & Sky 

Tonks, Gemini & Sky 

Bella & Gemini Walk Past Each Other

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini