700th Post

This is our 700th  post and we will celebrate it by talking about an event that significantly changed Dog Dad’s life fourteen years ago.  31 December 2003 is the day Dad drove north from Key West and was adopted by Essex.  She was the last of her litter to be adopted.  Dad is convinced he got the best puppy from that litter.  He had contacted Lil at Holmhaven Collies earlier that month and found out she was still available. 

Essex Holmhaven Puppy Pawtograph

Essex Investigating Her Home

Essex Walking Around Her Home The First Time

Essex Sleeping On Her Back

Dad drove three and a half hours north to Holmhaven.  When he arrived Essex came over and chewed on his shoe lace.  Dad gave her a belly rub and she was smitten with him.  Dad and Essex got in the collie-mobile and Essex panicked.  She wanted to stay with her brother Buddy.  She climbed up Dad’s arm and cried for about ten minutes.  Dog Dad kept stroking her and spoke in calm steady voice.  Essex relaxed to that voice.  Half way to Key West Dad stopped so Essex could go potty.

Essex fell asleep and awoke when the truck stopped at home.  Dad let her investigate the yard and a strong bond grew between the two.  That night Essex woke up Dad to go to the bathroom by licking his foot. 

Essex changed Dad’s life so many ways.  Angel Paws Dog Park was built the month Essex arrived in Key West.  Dad and Essex discovered it a couple months latter.  There are so many pups and hoomans Dad has met over the years.  Some were met at Angel Paws, some due to the Key West Collie blog, others were pups from Holmhaven Collies, and then there was a place called Dog’s With Blogs.  In 2007 the collies joined Dog’s With Blogs which was kind of like Camelot.   Essex and Deacon sadly saw that group fade away several short years after it started.  Fortunately the chat room remains and the Collies still chat with our pal angel-dog Skye and some other pups on most Sundays. 

 

Angel Paws

Essex Created A Dirt Path From Fence Patrol

There are sad and happy memories.  Dad has visions of Essex on fence patrol and dirt path she created along the fence line.  He remembers Essex staying by his bed when he was sick, her gentle lick, her sleeping on her back and how they watched out after each other.

 

Essex And Deacon 

Deacon's Holmhaven Puppy Pawtograph

Sherman At Holmhaven

Essex and Sherman Shortly After Leaving Holmhaven

Sherman and Gemini Leaving Holmhaven

Sherman and Gemini Playing In Their Yard

Later Deacon came to live with them and crossed the rainbow bridge far too soon.  Sherman came to fill the hole in Dad’s heart after that crossing.  Little Gemini took her time arriving after Essex’s crossed.  It was worth the wait.  Essex and Deacon definitely left there are paw prints in Dad’s heart.  Sherman and Gemini are putting paw prints there too.  God bless the collies.  Dad thanks them for adopting him and knows they made him a better hooman. 

February 2008 - Essex and Deacon Paw Prints in the Snow

Dog Speed
 

Sherman, Gemini and Dog Dad

29 December 2018

Everything has been quiet at Angel Paws.  We are waiting to see our pal Navy at the park.  In the meanwhile we see Kira, Anubis and Bo at times.  Gemini doesn't play much with any of those pups.  Instead she gets the zoomies and plays with Sherman.

Anubis

We will be in the DWB chat room on New Years Eve, bringing in the 2018.  Our pals Skye and Betty's Mom will be there.  Pee-mail us if you want to join us and we will send you the link.

Dogs Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Essexmas 2017

We hope that every paw had a pawtastic Essexmas.  We had cheddar collies and enjoyed having Dad around for most of the day.  After taking us to the park and feeding us, Dad went to visit his buddy Ed. 

Dad is catching up on doing his Essexmas cards.  He has been behind in things ever since Herricane Irma payed us a visit.  That pesky yard work and trying to straighten out the house has kept him busy.

God bless you all.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

23 December 2017

Dad told us he would be home all week with us.  We did the happy dance.  Dad will spend time cleaning up the house and yard.  Of course there will be time for Angel Paws Dog Park.  That is our favorite place to go.

Gemini Taking A Break

Sherman Plodding Along

Dad visited our friends living in Cudjoe Key.  Dad didn't bring us because he was unsure what damage they had suffered from Irma.  We are glad to report that Bill and Kay are doing well.  They had quite an adventure.  Bella, Don and Patrice were doing okay too.  Bella asked where we were.  Both of friends had damage to their first floors, but the second floor living areas were in pawsome shape.  They were all happy to get Dad's Essexmas cookies.

Angel Paws has been hit and miss.  Sometimes there are pups there, other times only us.  The RV park had been closed due to the damage from Herricane Irma.  It was not a priority to fix.  We are looking forward to seeing our pals latter this month and in 2018.

Dad was talking to his brudder, when the battery on the phone died.  Dad figured they didn't have anything left to talk about, so he didn't call him back.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Kira's Barkday

Well cyber-paw pals our friend Kira celebrated her second barkday at Angel Paws.  She even had her hooman bring a special barkday cake for dogs!  It tasted pawsom.  Kira had fun chasing after her ball most of the time.  Kira loves to chase balls.  It is a rubber ball, so Sherman wants nothing to do with it. 

Kira & The Ball

Barkday Cake

Kira Enjoying Her Cake

Our pal Gidget at the park too.  Gidget likes to take it easy at the park.

Gidget

Gemini

Sherman

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Cold Front

Well cyber paw pals a cold front has moved through Key West and we are loving it.  The temperature is 59 Fahrenheit outside, which is cold for Key West.  It is a pawsome temperature for collies.  We were running around and playing this morning, then more of the same at Angel Paws.

The week was pawsome as Dad didn't go to work.  He spent time with us and did his Essexmas baking.  Five different types of cookies, a flan and an angel food cake.  It kept Dad busy and the smells were pawsome.

Dad will be off between Essexmas and New Years.  We will be looking forward to that.

We promise to post more soon.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Chilling Out

Gemini decided to wear one of Dad's favorite hats.  It keeps the sun out of the eyes.

Things are going okay in Key West.  Brudder Steve called to report that Rocky crossed the Rainbow Bridge.   Never easy on hoomans when fur-ever friend crosses the bridge. 

There is good news in our home.  Dad is taking next week off so he can do his Essexmas backing.  We know all our friends will enjoy eating them.  We told Dad we have an order of cheddar collies.  We will see if he makes them for us.

Dog Speed,

Sherman &  Gemini

Bo & Kira

There are new regular paws at Angel Paws.  The first is Kira, the black German Shepherd.  Kira likes to chase after her ball and rarely plays with the other pups.  She is a good pup that gets along with every paw.

Kira With Her Ball

Then there is Bo the Collie.  You may remember that we met Bo way back in May.  We thought he left, but then this month we started to see him again.  Bo's lean frame and ears reminds Dad of Deacon.  He is quite a handsome collie.

Bo Sure Is a Pawsome Looking Pup

As you can tell he is a lot taller than Sherman.  It took about two weeks before Gemini felt comfortable around him.  Then Gemini tends to be very cautious around new pups.  

Bo Sure Is Taller Than Sherman

Gemini Keeps An Eye On Bo

Dog Speed,

Sherman and Gemini

Thanksgiving 2017

It was a pretty good Thanksgiving.  Dad was off and told us tails of a trip to Ohio by Essex and Deacon back in 2009.  They traveled north to Ohio to see Dad's Pawther, who was born close to Thanksgiving.  The barkday cake had a turkey on it, BOL. 

Thanksgiving 2009

Dad enjoyed thinking of happy thoughts of his family. Then there was the story of Essex and Deacon playing in the snow.  Those two luck pups ate turkey too.  When Dad took them out for a walk in the snow, they both pooped.  Dad claimed it could kill a buzzard from 200 feet away.  BOL.

Dad spent time with friends and us.  As for Sherman's foot, he is doing well.

Dog Speed,

Sherman and Gemini

Sore Spot

Dad took me to the vet Saturday.  He noticed me licking my right rear paw.  When he looked closely, he noticed a sore between my toes.  Dad is putting on my hurt spot.  I told him that I was okay but Dad would have none of it.  Sigh. 

Dad has been a little sad today, so Gemini and I did our best to cheer him up.  Four years ago today Essex crossed the bridge.  When we started to lick his face Dad smiled at us.  Nothing like collie kisses to lift the blues.

Dog Speed,

Sherman

Collieween 2017

Collieween is Dad's favorite day in Key West.  Unlike many years we had candy left over.  Unfortunately none of them are dog biscuits.  We went through fourteen bags of candy.  Dad bought sixteen.  We were both put into the bedroom.  Something about loosing our minds and barking to much.  Dad smiled a ton because he thought of Collieween's past.  Being with Essex after Herricane Wilma, having his friends over the one year and them making balloon animals and swords, having various friends help give away candy.  We could feel the warm glow of happy memories coming from Dog Dad.

Our home is getting back to normal.  Dad took last week off and avoided downtown and Fantasy Fest.  We prefer the dog park to downtown.  We helped Dad clean up around the house some and watched "Band of Brothers" on TV.  We count our blessings after Herricane Irma.  Outside of the yard, things are pawsome.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Early October Adventure

We are doing well cyber pals.  Things quickly progressed in getting better, but there were some hurdles.  

Leaning Pole Is Not A Good Thing

As Dad was cleaning up in one the back yard on the 28th he brushed up against a pole and felt his skin tingle.  He looked up at the pole and noticed it was crooked.  Yep, electric current.  He called the Electric Company, when they didn't show up he emailed them a picture on Sunday 1 October.  Dad went to work on the second, when he came home he noted the electric company had disconnected him.  He called and the told him that he needed to get an electrician, because the problem was at his end. He got hold of one and the told they might make it late Tuesday, but more likely Wednesday morning.  

They Pushed The Pole Over

A Broken Bracket

Dad got a room at the lodge and we stayed there Monday and Tuesday night.  They didn't have a room Wednesday night.  The electricians came over at 8 AM and were done by 11 AM.  They called the electric company and Dad waited a couple hours before calling them.  When he talked to the electric company Dad was told it would be 2-3 days before he would get power.  His heart sank.  He figured it was cool enough that he would sleep in the house and went out to eat.  When he was coming back he was following an electric company truck.  The truck pulled up and we had power by (:30 PM.  We were a happy pack.  

Yard cleanup is going well.  It will take some time.  There is a lot more light and you can see things we never noticed before.  We are seeing pups more often at Angel Paws, so we are happy.

Today Dad is happy, but wistful.  It would have been Essex's 14th barkday today.  He thinks about her and Deacon at times.  He misses them both, but he smiles when he sees us.  We think both of those two Angel Collies protected our home and our pack.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Busy Days

Dad has been busy the last couple days.  His neighbors gave him a hand in cutting the Brazilian Pepper Tree  to pieces.  You can see the crushed shed.  The shed is as flatter than roadkill on a busy street.    If you look at the front yard, there is a big pile of tree limbs.  Maybe somepaw thinks there is a beaver living in Key West.   

Pawsome, The Tree Is Gone

There is plenty more to do.  Dad works outside for a while, then comes in and does some indoor things.  .

Dog Speed,

Sherman, Gemini & Dog Dad

Cleaning Up After Irma

Cyber-Paw pals, our home is in great shape.  One of the wirlybird turbine ventilator fell off the roof, the fan slats on the side of the house is out of wack and one of the screened windows on the porch was messed up.  Considering Dog Dad was convinced we were returning to a foundation slab, we are very happy and very lucky.  Our next door neighbor, who  is part of the Emergency Operations Center for Monroe County, put the wilrlybird back in place.  

The Fan Slats Need Adjusting 

Side of House Looks Good

A Clear Shot

The yard is a another story.  One of the palm trees fell down, parallel to the hedges.  The two Brazilian Pepper Trees fell.  One of them crushing the first shed and damaging the fence.  Dad felt an electric current on the fence on the opposite side.  Plenty of yard work to do.  

Palm Tree Fell Down Parallel to Hedges

A Crushed Shed 

The Lawn Mower Survived!!

Dad was looking for the clippers and found them today.  He left them on the ground by the deck.  He cleared some of the tree and rescued the lawn mower.  It looks like the lawn mower survived the tree falling on the shed.  Dad will be busy cleaning up after Irma.  We think plenty of praying by family and other pawsons helped, and that the spirits of Essex and Deacon herded Irma away from our home.  We feel so very lucky.

View From The Deck, Two Sheds Are Behind The Tree

Can't See The Sheds From Ground Level

The Back Shed Is Intact!!

Dog Speed and pass the motrin,

Sherman, Gemini and Dog  Dad

The Collies Return To Key West

We are back in Key West.  

The house is in grrrreat shape.  The spirits of Angel Collies Essex and Deacon must have protected our home.  

The yard is a disaster.   It may be awhile before we have a yard that we can roam in.  Dad will have a lot of work to do.

While we enjoyed visiting our pal Gandalf, we are happy to be home.  We would talk longer, but we are very tired from the long drive.

Dog Speed,

Sherman, Gemini & Dog Dad

Missing Dad

Dear cyber-paw pals, we are having fun with our pal Gandalf, but we are waiting for the return of Dog Dad.  Dog Dad intends to pick us up Saturday and be back home the same day.  We will be definitely will be happy to be back home.

Sherman, Gemini and Gandalf 

While it is nice to visit a paw pal with a big back yard, there is nothing like being home.  There will be definitely plenty of things to take care of in the coming days.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Maria & Angel Paws Update

It looks like Maria will be well to the east of us.  When we saw the five day forecast there was a ripple of relief through our pack.  We hope Herricane Maria does little damage to those that are in her path.

A paw in Key West told us the fence around Angel Paws is intact.  The big Australian Pine and both Mahogany trees were uprooted by Herricane Irma.  We will miss or shade trees.  When we get back to Key West, we will have to check out Angel Paws.

NOAA Imagery of Angel Paws.
Irma knocked over our shade trees.

Dog Speed

Sherman & Gemini

Watching Maria In The Tropics

Bowsers, just when we were starting to relax, another evil tropical storm is on the horizon.  This one is Tropical Storm Maria.  We are worried, but the path is to far out to say how it will impact Florida.  We are trying to bark it away from Florida.  Sigh.

Maria, please go north and visit the Atlantic Ocean

Wish we could post pawtographs, but Dad left his connection between the computer and the camera.  We are having a blast playing in Gandalf's enormous back yard.  That yard is the size of Angel Paws.  

Dog Dad's place of work will be out of Miami for awhile.  He told us that while he is in Miami, that we will be staying with Gandalf's pack.  We thought about arguing with him, but we know he is right.  This will be tough because we don't like being away from Dad.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Grrrreat News

We received a call this morning and this evening.  The first was from Dad's neighbor Bob.  Bob walked or property noted one of our roof turbines flew off, and that at least one of our sheds were crushed by the other neighbors Brazilian Pepper trees.  The rest of the house looked good.

Then his neighbor Frank from across the street called.  He relayed that the house looked good, one of the gutters were missing, the one palm tree fell down, the PVC pipes around the house looked good too.  He said his house took minimal water, which means there was no flood water in our home.  The electricity was on as our AC was running.

We are all happy.  Dad even did a funny dance.

Dog Speed,

Sherman and Gemini

12 September 2017

First we are all okay.  Power came on about two hours ago.  We can feel Gandalf's home cooling off.  Which makes for two happy collies and a Dog Dad.  We appreciate everyone prayers and concerns.  The good will of people is a contrast to many other things going on in the world.

Our House Still Has a Roof

As for our house it still has a roof, which is a good thing.  We are trying to figure out where one of the palm trees disappeared to in the front yard.  We can see the shadow of one but not the other that is in the front yard.  Use the following link to access NOAA imagery of Key West and some of the rest of the lower keys.  https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/irma/index.html

While we will be sad to loose some things, it is only things.  We have each other, which is the important things.  

We are sure there are a thousand questions, we have them too.  We can see the imagery of our house, but we have no idea what the inside looks like.  Dad expected to see only the foundation, so he was amazed to see the roof.  Dad is unsure of what work will be doing as well.  

We would try to send pawtographs, but Dad can't find the camera thingy that attaches to the puter.  

Dog Speed,

Sherman, Gemini and Dog Dad

11 September 2017

We still have power.  Expect to see things to get worst around 2 AM.   Hopefully we can still post later in the day.  If not we will ask one of Dad's siblings to post on the orange and yellow orange back.

Sherman, Gemini & Dog Dad

10 September 2017

We are expecting a long night.  There will be Herricane winds tonight, so we will probably huddle with Dad during the night.  The entire pack will be tired tomorrow morning.

We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Dog Speed,

Sherman, Gemini & Dog Dad

We Are Doing Okay

We'll cyberpaw pals we are hanging in there.  We wish we were further away, but we were worried about being in traffic and getting hit by Irma.  Being in Eustis, don't have to worry about storm surge.

If you want to follow the storm there is post called Orion Rising that Essex and Deacon wrote.  That post will allow you to follow those hurricane weather tracking sites.

Our host is our pal Gandalf, who has stayed with us in Key West.  It has been fun visiting him.  Above are the three of us resting together.

Dog Speed,

Sherman, Gemini & Dog Dad