CC Crossed The Bridge 23 April

I sadly report that CC crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Thursday 23 April, while sleeping.  I knew much earlier, but Dad read the e-bark this morning.  CC may have been blind and cripple, but he was a happy dog.  He never met Great Auntie Essex, but CC wandered all around Angel Paws.  CC was the only surviving pup from his litter.  His mom had diabetes.  It was amazing to see CC get around the park and play with the other pups.

CC at Angel Paws

CC reminded Dog Dad of one of Terhune's collie, Fair Ellen.  Fair Ellen was born a blind on 25 February 1922.  After finding out Fair Ellen was blind, Terhune was going to put her out of her misery.  His wife responded "She has no misery to be put out of, she is having a beautiful time in life.  She doesn't know anything better.  She thinks everyone and everything is like herself.  Why should you kill her while she is so happy.  Wait till she finds out she is afflicted.  Is there so much happiness in the world that you should kill something that has found it?"

Fair Ellen may have been born blind, but she wandered the expanses of Sunnybank for many moons until she crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 1 July 1933.  Dog Dad found Fair Ellen to be the most inspirational of all of the Sunnybank Collies.

Dog Dad and I will miss CC next year.  He lived a long and happy life.  Most importantly, he was loved.

Dog Speed,

Sherman

Busy Aprl

The last couple weeks have been busy.  First my collie pals Loki and Gracie stopped to visit 16-21 April.  We had lots of fun playing at my house and at Angel Paws Dog Park.  Loki is two, Gracie is six and I am four.  We got a pawtograph in front of the Southern Most Point in the Continental United States.  The Air Conditioner broke on Monday but was fixed on Tuesday (21 April) after my collie pals departed.

Sherman, Gracie, Loki and Dog Mom at Southern Most Point

Gracie

Loki

Loki, Gracie and Me Chilling In Dad's Bedroom

Red and CC departed Key West on 10 April.  I hope to see those two old timers next year, the Great Dane willing. I know Dad will miss having their hoomans to talk with.  A black lab puppy named Rue is a frequent visitor to Angel Paws.  She is a bowl of energy.

CC

Rue and CC Playing

Rue and I at Angel Paws

Dad was cursing at some paw named IRS until 14 April.  Then he sent an envelope in the mail.  On 15 April Dad did his yearly toast to those brave men of the Titanic.  So we have been busy.

Dog Speed,

Sherman

OKC - 19 April 1995

Dad was thinking about writing about our visitors and snowbird friends that have went back north, when he stumbled on an article about Oklahoma City twenty years ago today.  Dad had darker hair, was a lot thinner and didn't have any collies then.  He sat down, then told me and our house guests about that day.

Dad was on vacation visiting his pals in Oklahoma and was staying at his good friends Homer's house in Noble, Oklahoma.  It was a Wednesday morning and he had just woken up from sleeping on the couch and turned on the TV . Minutes later regular broadcasts are interrupted and reports come in.  There was a bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which was about 30 miles to the north.  The reports were chaotic as the news reporters tried to get a handle on the event.  Things like this do not happen in Oklahoma.  The people of Oklahoma responded by trying to help each other, they don't wait for the Federal Government.

Dad wanted to do something too.  He realized that first responders would be there, the roads would be crowded and he lacked the expertise needed.  He had decided to wait a day before calling his Mom & Dad as he correctly figured the phone lines would be overwhelmed.  Those lines needed to open for the emergency personnel.  His pawrents knew he was not in OKC.  The TV reporters announced that they would need blood.  The next day, Dad gave blood for the first time the next day and called his pawrents.

Dad Didn't Expect Anything but Received this Certificate

He was drawn like a moth to a flame as Oklahoma City TV stations covering the story.  Like many he watched the developing story.  The first reports speculated a person of middle east descent.  An airplane even returned so a suspect could be questioned.  Then reporters though it might be the drug cartels.

The Black Box Is Where Noble Is Located

The real culprit was stopped on the interstate 90 minutes after the bombing for not having a licence plate on his car.  Sadly, the culprit was a military veteran from the Persian Gulf War that had been awarded the Bronze Star.  The United States changed a lot those days and would change even more over the following years.

Dad will always remember that time and I will remember him telling us the story.

Sherman

Paw Ssss - We'll talk about visitors tomorrow.

The Power of Sherm

This morning I gave Dad a scare.  We were out walking and approaching the house were me and the boxer bark at each other.  I run forward and suddenly Dad is holding only the handle of our flexi-leash. Dad yells "Sherman Stop" and much to his amazement I stopped.

Me and the Broken Leash

The Broken Handle, Bowsers I Am A Strong Collie

I look down and see the strange thing following me.  It has followed me before in the house but never when we were out for a walk.  I am startled by it, but not freaked out.  I wait for Dad to walk over.  He grabs the body of plastic portion and we walk the other way.  When we get home, Dad breathes a sigh of relief.

He told me he was proud that I listened to him and how I must be a really strong collie.  Then Dad starts to a new version of an old cartoon song called "Hercules."  He changed the lyrics just for me.

Here is a link to the a video clip containing theme from the ancient cartoon song "Hercules," so you know what the song sounded like.

Here is Dad's lyrics.

"Sherm the dog, collie of song and story.

Sherm the dog, winner of puppy glory.
Fighting for the right,
Fighting with his might,
With the strength of ten, ordinary dogs.

Sherm the dog, people are safe when near him.
Sherm the dog, only the evil fear him.
Softness in his eyes,
Iron in his thighs,
Virtue in his heart,
Fire in every part,
Of the Mighty Sherm the dog."

Dog Speed Cyber-Paw-Pals,

Sherman

Barky Easter 2015

Dad and I hope that everypaw had a pawtastic Easter.

I wore the traditional Easter Collie Ears.  If it wasn't for getting treats, I would be embarrassed.  It makes Dog Dad smile, so it is okay in my book.

The Easter Collie

Dad frosted the traditional lamb cake.  Then much to my surprise we had company!  It was Tonks and her hoomans, and a nice hooman named Tyler.  They had ham, pineapple, Hawaiian rolls, candies yams, salad for their meal.  Tonks and I had some treats and even some ham.

Lamb Cake

While the hoomans talked and watch some 30 for 30 episodes, Tonks and I played inside and outside.  Later in the day I went to the dog park, where Bella, Bella, CC and Red were there.  So I got plenty of exercise.

Hope all of you had a blessed and safe Easter.

Sherman & Dog Dad