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

Gemini's First Dog Visitor

Well, cyber-paw folks, I got my first dog visitor.  Galdalf's Hooman Parents had to go to Miami because his Dog Mom needed to have an operation early this week.  Their son was watching Gandalf, but he has to work yesterday and today.  So Gandalf stopped over yesterday and will visit us later today.  There was plenty of puppy play.  Oh, Gandalf's Dog Mom is doing fine.  Below are some pictures from yesterday.

Gemini Watches Sherman & Gandalf Play 

Gandalf Greets Gemini

Gemini Ponders Her Next Move

Sherman It Was Pawsome Having A Visitor

Gandalf's Hooman Brudder came back later in the day to take him home.  Gandalf was sure happy to see him.  We were sad to see Gandalf go, but our house returned to its' normal rhythm, until later this morning, when Gandalf returns.  

Dog Speed,

Gemini