Sherman Crosses The Bridge

It is with great sadness the I report my Uncle Sherman crossed the Rainbow Bridge today at the Marathon Veterinary Hospital.  I can imagine him running over to Essex and meeting Deacon for the first time.

As you know Friday we went to Marathon.  On Saturday we visited Sherman and he looked a lot better.  Sunday morning we get a call and Sherman can't move his front paws and the Doc asks to use a catheter.  Dad tells them yes and is then informed more tests will be done Monday.  Dad is worried.  The call comes Monday morning that Sherman is paralyzed and will not recover.  He is eating though.  Dad knows that Sherman will need assistance in crossing the rainbow bridge.  As much as he loves the big guy, he could never keep him bed ridden.

We arrive at Marathon about 3:10 PM.  We are amazed that Sherman is totally alert and clear eyed.  He can move his head, but his legs are not working.  Dad lays down with him and Sherman gives him a ton of collie kisses.  Dad lets him go on for minutes.  He tells Sherman how much we loves him, and that we will miss him so much.  Sherman smiles and licks Dad some more.

Last Pawtograph of Sherman & Gemini Together

Sherman 

The vet comes in and talks to Dad.  She tells Dad Sherman has lymphoma and explains the process of helping him cross over.  Sherman gets a sedative while Dad talks to him and strokes his fur.  At 4:15 PM Sherman crossed the Rainbow bridge and will be missed.  Heaven has gained a gentle giant with a huge heart.

4:15 PM - Sherman Has Crossed The Rainbow Bridge

I'll write more later.  Right now I'll need to keep Dad company and give him plenty of collie kisses.

Dog Speed,

Gemini

Cousin Clyde Crosses The Rainbow Bridge

Dad sister called from Cincinnati today.  Cousin Clyde crossed the bridge at the old age of fifteen and half years old.  Great Auntie Essex told Sherman stories of her and Deacon playing with Clyde.  I played some with him, but Clyde didn't want to play to much.  Clyde was thirteen years old when Gemini met him. 

Dad thinks of Essex and Clyde playing the first time they met each other.  Essex and Deacon would get excited as the Collie Mobile got close to Clyde's home.  They knew they were nearing their friends home.  They loved playing with Clyde.  When Deacon visited, the two of them became quick buddies.  Dad remembers when Deacon first met Clyde.  Clyde and Deacon chased each other around Clyde's house most of the night.  There was the sound of thundering of paws.  None of the hoomans were to happy as they didn't sleep very much.  The hoomans laugh about it now. 

Clyde was a senior citizen dog by the time Sherman and Gemini met him.  He didn't want to chase and play with them, so there are no pawtographs of Clyde with them.  We liked Clyde, but knew he didn't want to play. 

Clyde's hoomans will miss him and when we go to Cincinatti we will remember him.  Clyde was very loved by his family.  Dad thinks of so many visits, walks in Cincinnati, pups that got along very well with each other.  So many memories.  We are sure that Clyde, Deacon and Essex are playing with each other.  Romping and chasing. Every once in awhile looking for their hoomans. 

Dog Speed

Sherman & Gemini

Essex and Clyde -2007

Clyde - 2007 

Clyde, Deacon and Essex - 2009

Clyde and Deacon - 2010

Clyde - 2014

Clyde -2017

Kiana Crosses the Bridge

I am sad to tell you that my paw pal Kiana crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday.  Kiana was about ten and a half years old.  For over six years she took medicine to help control epileptic seizures.  She was a pawsome Siberian Husky with an extremely friendly personality.  About two months ago her hoooman parents found out she had cancer and wouldn't be much longer with them.  Her hoomans prepared themselves and tried to do lots of things with Kiana.  When the time came yesterday, Tonks accompanies Kiana to the vet and stayed with her as she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  The below picture was taken at the vets office. 

Kiana and Tonks Touch Paws for the Final Time

Great Auntie Essex and Uncle Deacon first met Kiana and Tonks way back in early 2011.  The Huskies and Collies quickly became good friends.  I first met them as a puppy when I came to live with Great Auntie Essex.  We had lots of fun at Angel Paws Dog Park and at each others houses.  Dog Dad and I know her hoomans made the right decision.  A very good paw pal has went to run with Great Auntie Essex and Uncle Deacon.  Dog Speed Kiana, Dog Speed.

Kiana at Angel Paws- Early 2011

Left to Right - Tonks, Kiana, Brooke and Me

Kiana at My House - 2013 

Furever your paw pal, 

Sherman

Good Bye Lady II

We just got a sad call from Georgia.  We could hear the strain and sorrow in the voice.  Lady II has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  Her Dog Mom is having a problem posting to their blog, so we will do a short post for her now. 

Lady II

Essex knew Lady II well.  During drives to Ohio, the pack would stop to visit their pack in Georgia.  Lady I and II lived in Key West, and got together with Essex and Deacon at Angel Paws several times.  The first time was in 2007, shortly after we started our blog. 

Lady I, Deacon, Essex and Lady II at Angel Paws

In fact Dog Dad was thinking of adopted Lady I, but their Dog Mom adopted her before Dog Dad had a chance to go see her at the SPCA.  Know then Lady II did not have an easy life early on.  She did find a really pawsom home in the end.  We can think of very few better homes. 

Lady II, Santy Paws and Lady I

We feel very sad for their pack.  Their Dog Mom has a very big heart and we know this is very hard on her.  If you get a chance stop by and visit their blog and drop their pack a kind word.  Here is the link to their blog http://dscollies.blogspot.com/.  Hopefully, their Dog Mom can get her blog working to do an even better post soon. 

Dog Speed Lady II.  We are sure that Deacon is waiting at the gate to greet his friend.

Furever your friends,

Essex, Sherman and Dog Dad

Ella Crosses the Bridge

Our cyber-paw pal Ella crossed the rainbow bridge on 5 August at the young age of 6.  It came very unexpectedly so her Dog Mom, Marquie, can use some cyber-paw support.  Ella adopted Marquie and Lassie when she was only two months old and staying at a shelter.  Ella loved her pack deeply and they loved her back.   Later Petal joined their pack.  Lassie and Petal are busy taking care of their Dog Mom.

If you want to drop them a line and show some cyber paw support you can click on the following link: Two Collies and a Mutt

Ella Crossed Shortly After Her 6th Barkday

It is hard to loose a paw chum before their time.  You don't have a lot of time to say goodbye.   Dog Dad is convinced of one thing.  That one thing worse than loosing a canine chum, is not having one in your life. 

Dog Speed,

Essex, Sherman and Dog Dad

Origin of Deacon's Name

Dawn has asked us several times about the origin of Deacon's name. We have touched on it before, but we will honor the request as it is very fitting to be told Memorial Day Weekend. The choice of the name starts back in the 1940s, a time of great up turmoil and struggle. It goes back to what some call the greatest generation.

During this time Grand-Paw served in the Army during WW II. By the time the invasion of Normandy Grand-Paw was assigned as the chaplain's assistant. He was with the 5th Armored Division and was in Combat Command "R" or CCR. CCR fought in the Hurtgen Forest, which the smaller book called "... a violent screaming hell." From what Dog Dad has read about Hurtgen it was a nightmare. Bodies of soldier are still found in the forest. Grand Paw survived the war, met Grand Maw and had five children.

The Chaplain and Grand Paw

Grand Paw

Grand Paw decided about fifteen years ago to give Dog Dad his books and some other WW II things. He told Dog Dad - "You are the one that who was the most interested in these things. I want you to have them." Dog Dad couldn't refuse. He had read the books in grade school and spent time with Grand Paw looking at old pawtographs growing up as a child. There is no way he could ever refuse such an offer. While they didn't always agree, Dog Dad had tremendous respect and love for Grand Paw. When he was young Dog Dad wished he could have been the star athlete and made Grand Paw proud. Grand Paw didn't tell him until much later that he was proud of the man he had become, and being a star athlete didn't matter. Dog Dad's was surprised.

Grand Paws Books

Dog Dad came up with a lot of name the week before he traveled to Holmhaven Collies to pick up my nephew. Names from Norse and Greek mythology, names of famous battles, but there was none that he really liked. A couple nights before we headed north, he was sitting down and looking through the books Grand Paw had given him. It was then he saw again the words inside of the front cover of the book Grand Paw book The words penned in place back in 1945 screamed at him, the words that said this belonged to Grand Paw, "Deacon" Joe --------.

Deacon was a great name for a Collie, a choice from long ago. He told Grand Maw and Grand Paw about the name. When the three of us came up to visit, Grand Maw told Dog Dad that he had made Grand Paw very happy and proud. Deacon was like Grand Paw, both was a happy go-lucky souls, a bit mischievous at times and both had that special twinkle in their eyes.

Now Dog Dad and I both miss my nephew. We miss his playfulness and happy go lucky ways. We are sure he is with a much younger Grand Paw and Grand Maw. Telling them about their son. He is licking their faces and running with the other creatures that have crossed the bridge. I am alone watching what is going on outside the front window. Deacon no longer stands stretched out with his front paws on top of his dog crate and his bottom paws on the ground. In spirit he is looking out the window with me. Dog Speed Dear Nephew.

Deacon - Dad's Silly Boy

Essex 29 May 2011 - Standing Guard Alone

Deacon - 12 July 2006 - 27 May 2011

Puppy Picture

December 2006

12 July 2007 - Deacon's First Barkday

At Angel Paws Dog Park wanting a treat

Resting on the Couch Last picture taken at Angel Paws

It is a start of a long day, my first step will be to write a this tribute to my beloved boy, Deacon. Good thing this isn't paper because I tear up some when I think about him being gone. I want to say I appreciate all the prayers and well wishers, it will help me a lot.

What was my nephew Deacon's story. Well, Deacon was born 12 July 2006. His first owner was a nice lady named Carol, who named him Laddie. Carol lived with her elderly mother and Deacon left because he loved to jump on people, which is not a good thing when you live with an elderly person living with you. She brought him back to Holmhaven crying all the way. She hoped he would find a good furever home. Dog dad found out about him and called Lil at Holmhaven, but a couple that had just lost their dog was coming to see Deacon. Lil called Dad back to tell him they had taken Deacon, but she called again the very next day, because the couple decided it was to soon to get another dog. On 10 December 2006 Deacon came to live with us in Key West.

Deacon was a loving dog, that enjoyed being around other dogs, humans and cats. Everybody was his friend and he always excitedly pulled to meet the new person and paws. He introduced Dad to many people.

Essex

= = = = = = =

Dog Dad here: I will think of Deacon laying asleep by the side of the bed when I went asleep. I missed him coming in and giving me his quizzical look in the morning when I awoke. It seemed to say "Dad are we going for our walk now." I missed him pulling on the leash to smell something or to meet some paw/person. He was an Collie Ambassador to those he met on our walks or at the park.

On the way to the dog park later today I will miss Deacon nibbling and licking my ear on the way. I will miss him playing and flopping over at Angel Paws. I will think of him jumping up for treats as Miss Lauretta gave them away from outside the fence, or of him sneaking a treat out of someones pocket. I can see him ambling over to meet a new dog or person to say hi. Deacon was a fun loving care free spirit, I can't think of a person he didn't want to meet and lick. He was a trickster and mischievous spirit at times. He was quick to lick your face though.

He was called Deacon, Deak, the Deakster, the Goober-dog, and Silly Boy. He was a young dog full of life, that left in his prime. He left me too soon, he passed away quickly, with a crash, a yipe and a few soft barely audible whimpers. There was no blood, nothing fell on top of him, I guess he just fell at a bad angle. I loved my Deacon and this is going to be one very long day. Lord, one heck of Collie crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday, take care of him. I wish he hadn't been called across the bridge so soon, I wanted to spend more time with him. There is paw print inside my heart, but I think that happens to all of us that love our dogs. I miss my chum.

Dog Dad

Deacon Crosses the Bridge

Deacon crossed the rainbow bridge today at around 6:20 PM.

Dad was on the phone with Uncle Steve. Deacon had his front paws on his dog crate and was looking out the window barking at a dog outside. Dad is guessing about all this but Deacon did that a lot. Next thing we hears a crash and a yelp. He rushes around the corner and sees Deacon laying on the ground, a pool of urine and hears a several low whimpers. He tells Uncle Steve, Deacon is hurt and hangs up the phone. He caresses his head tells him to stay strong. He calls the vet and they give him the number for the 24 hour vet up the Key.

Deacon has already crossed

By the time Dad and Frank get Deacon in the car, Dad thinks he has already crossed the bridge. Frank does too, but doesn't want to bring it up. Dad is hoping Deacon is in shock and the vet can help him. I ride up with a worried Dog Dad and try to console him. When we get to the 24 hour vet, she confirms mine and Dog Dad's fears.

Heaven has gained one heck of a dog. We can imagine Deacon up there licking Grand Paw and Grand Maw in the face.

Dog Speed Nephew,

Essex

A Bit Blue

It has been a bit of a troubled week. Friday morning we found out about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Then today the news was talking about the nuclear reactors. We sure hope that everything works out well.

Yesterday, Dad found out that Benjamin, the white collie passed away last year. We blogged about him January 2010, when he came down to visit. Benjamin contracted lyme disease and crossed the bridge at his home in Maine. Benjamin was ten years old. His hooman Mom and Dad came over to talk to Dad yesterday at Angel Paws. Both us can smell collie people and even Essex let them pet her. The hoomans talked about collies for quite awhile. Benjamin's hooman pawrents intend to get another collie later this year.

Then today we find out that our Dog Blog pal Cookie crossed the bridge at almost thirteen years old. Cookie led a good life and had an excellent family. If you get a chance, stop by give her Mom some moral support. This helps ease the pain hoomans feel whenever a good dog chum crosses the rainbow bridge.

We'll try to get some pictures at Angel Paws tomorrow. We want to tell you about the current cast of characters at the Park.

Dog Speed

Essex & Deacon

Hattie Crosses the Bridge

Hattie

We found out a couple hours ago that our good friend Hattie had crossed the Rainbow Bridge today. You may recall that Hattie and Cassie were our Collie friends that lived in Northern Ohio. Hattie's health recently rapidly went downhill. We know she is in the Woods with her Collie chum Frisco. We are sure Bobby, Howie, Foxy and Pudgy came out to greet Hattie. Then all went out to run and play.

We first met Hattie and Cassie way back on 27 September 2007. Their Dog Mom came over to Grand-Maw and Grand-Paws house to come see us. All of us became best of chums. We loved visiting and they loved having us around. After awhile we all became part of the same pack. They felt like family to us. They helped us out when Grand-Maw and Grand-Paw crossed the bridge in 2008 and 2010.

Hattie's Mom & Dad are putting up a strong front, we know they are both softies and this is really hard on them. We wish we lived close so we could help them through all of this. Both of us could lick their faces and keep Cassie company. Dog Dad would do his part in helping them out. We have offered to write more about Hattie if they e-bark us.

Dog Speed Hattie,

Your bestest chums Essex, Deacon and Dog Dad too.

Remembering Grand-Paw

We finds it helps us a lot to look at the past. Today we are going to look at Grand-Paw's life. Grand-Paw was born in November 1918, shortly after the end of World War I, the Great War. There was only him, his sister Mary and his Mother because Great-Grand-Paw died in the great influenza epidemic of 1918.

His mother remarried but passed away when Grand-Paw was 13 during the Great Depression. Grand-Paw, his six brudders and two sisters were then sent to an orphanage. He went to school and played on the baseball team. He was pretty good player too.

Grand-Paw School Picture 1932-33

Grand-Paw's High School Baseball Team

With his six brudders

He then served with the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). In 1939, the war set Europe ablaze once more. Grand-Paw entered the 5th Armored Division. He trained in Kentucky, California, Tennessee and New York. On 11 February 1944, he and the other soldiers departed the Port of New York destined for England. Eyes constantly swept the seas for the sight of a U-Boat periscope. He was assigned to a Catholic Chaplain and was called Deacon Joe by the other soldiers.

The 5th Armored landed in Europe several days after D-Day. Grand-Paw saw some of the most bitter fighting on the Western Front in a place called the Hurtgen Forest. This action took place between 14 September 1944 to 10 February 1945. The American Army suffered over 33,000 casualties, while the Germans were at least 28,000. Ernest Hemingway compared the fighting there to the British Offensive in Paschendale during World War I. The weather was bad, shells burst in the tree tops sending splinters and shrapnel down on the soldiers. It was better to hug a tree than huddle in a fox hole. Dad's unit, CCR, saw action during the Battle of Hurtgen Forrest from 20 November to 8 December. CCR was awarded the "Distinguished Unit Citation" for this action and French Croix de Guerre for 14-20 September 1944 action at Wallendorf and Our River. The 5th Armored was the first to cross the Siegfried Line and the closest American unit to Berlin at the end of the war.

Grand-Paw liked dogs back then

Grand-Paw, a Sherman Tank, Hurtgen Forrest

Grand-Paw and Sister Mary

Grand-Paw came back to the states after the war and went to work at the Ford Motor Company. He fell in love and married Grand-Maw in May 1948. They raised a family of three girls and two boys. It was a good family. He was grief stricken when Grand-Maw passed away in January 2008. Then in November 2008 he was admitted to a hospital to never return home. Unfortunately he never fully recovered and he was destined to spend the rest of his life in a nursing home saddening both us and Dog Dad.

Grand-Maw, Grand-Paw and Chaplain from the War

Reading Sunday Funnies to Young Dog Dad

At Work

After Grand-Maw Crossed the Bridge

Grand-Paw was a good kind loving man. A man with a twinkle in his green eyes and quick to smile at strangers. What he went through would have destroyed many a man but he became stronger. He loved God, his family and baseball. We are sure Grand-Maw and Pudgy were among those to meet him. We will always be proud of him, and given his beginnings, we do not see how you could have asked for a better man.

Dog Speed Grand-Paw,

Essex, Deacon & Dog Dad

Grand-Paw Crossed The Bridge

Around 1130 AM Grand-Paw crossed the rainbow bridge. We are both happy and sad. Happy he is no longer in pain and because he has been bed ridden for about a year-and-a half. Sad because we enjoyed being around him, visiting the nursing home and seeing his eyes twinkle.

We were there right by Dog Dad's side when Grand-Paw crossed. We felt Dog Dad's hand stroke our fur and gather strength from us. We were all ready for this, so we are okay. We will know more what is going on with all the different hooman rituals late tomorrow.

When Grand-Paw crossed the bridge, we can imagine Pudgy came over to lick his face. Grand-Maw was probably the first to greet him.

We are okay cyber-paw pals. We are only a little bit tired from everything.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

Sad News From Teddy

Cousin Teddy all grown up

Howie & Teddy talking about being a Collie

Essex & Deacon,

I’ve been meaning to e-bark you for quite some time. My mentor and your cousin Howie crossed the rainbow bridge on 25 June. As you know Howie was to turn 10 last September. Unfortunately, he caught pneumonia and at the end he couldn’t even walk. The whole family was upset, especially Dog Mom and me. I was hoping to learn so much more from him and he had made Mom smile during some very tough times. I miss him but I know he would want me to be strong.

As you can see, I have grown up to be a handsome collie. Howie did teach me a lot about the way of the Collie.

Fur-ever your cousin,

Teddy

= = = = =

Teddy,

Essex knows just how you feel. She really enjoyed being around and learning from Foxy. Foxy crossed the bridge when she was just a really young pup though. We are sure that Howie is with her, Bobby, Mac, Sam, Honey, Charlie, Pudgy and all the other animals that have crossed the bridge. Howie is your guardian angel dog, who watches over your Mom and you. If you are ever in Key West, you are welcome to stay with us during your visit.

We are so proud of you Teddy, you are quite a handsome young collie. Both of us know you will take care of your family. We had hoped to meet Howie and you someday. Howie is now is watching over you and your family. Keep in touch cousin.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

Goodbye Gomer

Our cyber-paw pal, Gomer has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Who is Gomer, you ask? When we joined DWB, Dogs’ Aye View with Opie & Gomer was a pawsome blog. They helped other animals. Since both our parents grew up in Ohio, they quickly became friends. We think this because people from Ohio are called Buckeyes and that is a nut.

Gomer, being the funny dog

Gomer’s future Dog Mom met him at a dumpster in Guadalupe, Arizona in late April 200. Gomer and his sister were in that dumpster; as well as his Beagle mom and a brother that had already crossed the Rainbow Bridge. The two puppies went to “Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary” next. Sister hung on for a couple more days before crossing over. Gomer was a scrapper, though weighing only two pounds at two weeks age and being in rough shape, he survived. He went to a foster home for awhile. It took until 1 September 2000 for his hooman Mom to figure out that she was Gomer’s person.

In July 2001 Gomer convinced Dog Mom that Opie was to be part of the pack on a return visit to the Sanctuary. The three amigos left the heat and sand of Arizona for the cold and snow of Minnesota at a later date. On 29 June 2006 Gomer introduced “Dogs Aye View” to the world. On 13 November 2006 they became DWB pack member 222.

Gomer introduces "Dogs' Aye View" to Cyber-Paw Space

We found Dogs’ Aye View on 26 June 2007. The first post read was a fund raiser for less fortunate animals, we supported. On 11 November 2007 they gave us our first award. On 2 July 2008 Dogs’ Aye View started a drive for Gemi’s mouth surgery. Dogs’ Aye helped furry friends.

Gemi

Their Dog Mom later had to chose a less expensive den and worked two jobs. The jobs interfered with blogging, so puter time was infrequent. Until todays post, their last post was on 4 November 2008. Since both our pawrents are nuts; they stayed in contact. Dad told us about Gomer’s four mouth surgeries over the past eight months. Gomer barked about others on the blog. The root for the tooth problems was probably the time in the dumpster.

Gomer after mouth surgery

This morning around 5 AM, Dad opened the e-barks to find one sent at 3:23 AM about Gomer. His Mom came home from work at 2 PM to find him severely jaundiced and rushed him the hospital. Looking into his eyes and using the time spent helping the local vet; she made the painful decision to let him go. At 7:15 PM on 17 August 2009, at 9 ½ years old, just short of his ninth Gotcha Day Gomer crossed the Rainbow Bridge from a quick bout of liver disease. Just recently, a post was made on their blog .

Opie

If you can, take some time

leave Opie, Floyd and their Dog Mom a note at Dogs' Aye View. While they haven’t posted much this past year, much good has been done by them. We appreciate all they have done and are proud of them as part of the DWB family. We know his Dog Mom, Opie and even Floyd the cat will miss Gomer.

Dog Speed Gomer,

Essex & Deacon

A Hush Over DWB

There is a hush over Dogs With Blogs land. Charlie, DWB 001, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Charlie lived in Australia, the land where today is tomorrow. The earliest blog we noted by him was dated April 2006 and that was his second blog ! It was during April 2006 we see the earliest entries in the Bone Zone. Something good was started that day and Charlie and Opy were responsible for it.

Charlie's First Photo

There are 1331 currently on the Dog With Blogs list. We bet Charlie, Opy, Greg & Brooke never imagined it being that big. It was probably Charlie or Opy that welcomed you to DWB. Charlie will be missed by all. We think it is raining outside here in Key West, because the Angels are crying for all the sad hoomans and pupsters.

Run free Charlie and welcome us when we cross the bridge.

With Much Thanks and Heavy Hearts,

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

Goodbye Charlie

Contemplating Charlie's crossing

ANZAC DAY 2009

Today, Anzac Day 2009, our good friend Charlie crossed the rainbow bridge. She was a grrreat Sheltie, whose mom has a heart of gold. We feel her mom’s pain and wish we could make it go away. We know it is always good to look back and remember. So here we go.

Charlie’s blog debuted on 2 June 2007, while ours started about a week later on 10 June. We were welcomed to the DWB family as # 506 on 17 June, while Charlie joined DWB as # 675 on 14 October. It took us until 4 November for us to sniff out Charlie and said hi. In that first post we read, she was remembering her brother Higgins. We were fortunate enough to be the seventh dog to sign her guest book.

Charlie remembering Higgins

Reverend Lady Charlie the Antediluvian

of Goosnargh on the Carpet

Charlie’s popularity soo sky rocketed past us. We were fortunate to celebrate Charlie’s 14 and 15th Barkdays on 20 December in 2007 and 2008. Charlie had a lot of friends and went on a many cyber adventures. CCCSI (Cat/Canine Crime Scene Investigators) comes to mind. Our favorite adventure was the Hijinx cruise back on 8-11 May 2008. She went on a virtual tour of the Caribbean and stopped by Key West to have some pirate dog grog with us. It was there we hooked up with our good pal Mack. Charlie gave us four awards, helped us find our noble titles and we treasure it all. We will miss you Charlie, old gal.

The May 08 Caribbean Boat Trip

Argg, it is Essex, err Black Dog the Pirate

As for Charlie’s mom, our hearts and thoughts go out to you. We hope you continue to visit us, we so love your gentle words. You made a tough call and if you doubt yourself, please once again read the word from a hundred years ago. On Anzac Day 2009, you were the one in the arena.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
~Theodore Roosevelt~
With Dog Dad, we do a twenty-one woof salute.

"Woof, Woof, Woof -- Woof, Woof, Woof -- Woof, Woof, Woof -- Woof, Woof, Woof -- Woof, Woof, Woof -- Woof, Woof, Woof -- Woof, Woof, Woof."
Dog Speed on your journey across the rainbow bridge dear friend,

Essex, Deacon & Dog Dad