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.

Grand-Paw Update

We arrived safe in Northern Ohio yesterday. Grand-Paw has lost a lot of weight but is fairly lucid at times. My Dad's three sisters and his brudder were there at the nursing home. We even sniffed him and Grand-Paw gave us a weak smile and we could see his eyes light up.

We got to walk around the nursing home and we visited several people. Deacon got a lot of attention from strangers, while I just don't trust strangers.

We even visit our collie friends Cassie & Hattie last night. The weather here is a lot cooler than Key West. We'll it is time to go. It is time for a walk.

Essex & Deacon

Trip Paw-to-graphs

It took us some time but here are our trip pictures. After leaving Key West, we went to Valdosta, Georgia and spent some time visiting with Lady I and Lady II. The next day we traveled to Cincinnati to spend time with Clyde. Clyde's bed was so comfy, Essex decided to claim it. BOL. After three days we drove up North to Elyria to visit Grand-Paw and Dad's two sisters. On the way we passed an Amish Buggy and barked like a foamy dog.

Essex, Lady I, Lady II and Deacon's butt.

Dad's nephew with the head of Anubis

Essex claimed Clyde's bed

Amish Buggy

We stayed with our Dad's sister, his boring nephews and Rosie the cat. His nephews played X-Box all day, even though the weather was nice outside. We have to visit our good pals Hatti and Cassi in Amherst, Ohio. That was a lot of fun and a poofing session.

Deacon looking for Rosie

Deacon through through the flowers

Hattie above and Cassie below

No it is not all from Essex. All four were poofed.

We had fun visiting Grand-Paw at the nursing home. Even Clyde came up with his family from Cincinnati to visit.

Clyde

Clyde and his family visit Grand-Paw

We stopped on our way back to visit Lady I and Lady II in Valdosta, Georgia. They took us out to the city dog park and we had a pawsome time. We loved seeing them and had a good time.

Four Collies at the gate

Essex & Lady II

Deacon has a wet nose

Lady I resting by the ice bowl

Deacon and the Dog Mom of Lady I & II

Ohio Paw-to-graphs

We arrived home safe and sound. Dad is a bit tired and will be going through the mail tomorrow. As promised here are paw-to-graphs from our trip to Ohio.

Essex & Deacon

Together at Clyde's house

Aunt Marge listens to Grand-Paw talk

Aunt Becky flirts with Deacon

Grand-Paws 91st Barkday Cake

Aunt Becky shows Grand-Paw a paw-to-graph

Essex chilling out in the snow

Deacon play bows.

SNOW

These two kittens saw Dog Dad at Grand Paws house

Cassie is recovery from surgery is going well

Hattie gives Dog Dad a smile

We are Alive

Essex at Rest

Egads, Deacon after a shower

Yes, we are still alive and doing well. We have been busy though. Painting, spackling and such. Dad is slow, but it is getting done. He is getting ready to travel north to Ohio tomorrow. We are looking forward to seeing Clyde in Cincinnati. We were hoping to see Hattie & Cassie, but Cassie hurt her leg. Cassie ended up with over 20 staples in her leg and a tendon reattached.

Dad made sure we got a bath today. Something we could have lived without. At Angel Paws the snowbirds are returning. Our good buddy Red has showed up with dog dad in paw. We will enjoy ourselves when we return.

Red returns to Angel Paws.

We are not sure if we'll be able to post during our trip.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

Project Done

Well, the master bathroom is done. Don't we look just pawsome in the new shower? We are happy they are done. We love the quiet and this looks so much better than the old master bath.

A Two Collie Shower

"Essex, come check out the new bathroom"

Dad told us that new herricane shutters are being installed this week. No more putting up plywood for Dog Dad. He is getting the accordion type shutters, we know that he will be happy with the saving of both time and space when we have to board up the house.

We got a Kreativ Blogger award from Kess. Kess we love your blog too.

Here are the rules for passing on this award:

1. Post it on your blog and link to the person who gave it to you.

2. List 7 things you love

3. List 7 blogs you love

4. Email or comment on those blogs to let them know you've given them an award

Things we love:

1) Fence patrol

2) Cheese

3) Hearing Dog Dad whistle the "Lassie Tune," that usually means some type of treat.

4) Early morning walks

5) Seeing cousin Clyde and our friends Hattie & Cassie on our Ohio trips

6) Ice cream and ice cubes

7) Sleeping on the couch

Blogs we love:

1) Jake & JH's Blog

2) Josh and Jessie's Blog

3) Madison's Blog

4) Mack's Blog

5) Oorvi's Blog

6) Reilly's Blog

7) Sprite's Blog

We could name a lot more, but the list named seven. We love quite a few blogs but we will restrict sending it to every paw. Half the fun of getting an award is sharing it with some other paw.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

Vacation Photos

Finally, the long awaited vacation photographs. Things have been hectic around our home. The pool is green, unpacking from vacation, Dog Dad paying those nasty bills, mowing the yard, catching up on emails, reading our friend's blogs, the World Series and of course visiting Angel Paws.

While we were on vacation Charlie gave us an Autumn Friends Award. Thank you so much for that wonderful award. Charlie, we saw a few pumpkins that either of us could have fit inside. There were only a few leaves changing color though. We would like to pass the Autumn Friends award to Gomer & Opie, Tosca, Reilly and Maximillian the Valliant.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

Autumn Friends Award

from Charlie - 14 OCT

Essex, Hattie, Cassie and Deacon watch the treat

Cassie chilling out

Essex checking things out

Deacon and Cassie at rest

Essex and Cousin Clyde lying down

Cousin Clyde ready to take a nap

Essex is Five

Auntie Essex has really enjoyed her Barkday. We woke up for our early morning walk. Dad of course sang "Happy Barkday" to her and kissed her on the nose before our walk. Then we had some special Barkday Pup-Cakes Auntie Marge, Dad's sister got for us. Next we went to Pet Smart. We met several other dogs, but no dogs with blogs. We wish that Key West had a Pet Smart. After that we had more dog treats and then went to visit our Ohio Collie Paw-Pals, Hattie and Cassie. We had fun running, playing and wishing Auntie Essex a Happy Barkday.

This sure is a lot more fun than Paw-latics. If you get a chance stop by and wish Thor a happy Barkday. Thor is celebrating Barday number two, while this is lucky number five for Essex.

Dog Speed,

Deacon

Special Barkday Pup-Cakes

Deacon enjoying a Pup-Cake

Essex enjoys a chewy Barkday treat

We wish Key West had a Pet Smart

Essex, Hattie, Cassie and Deacon

O-H-I-O, hurray

Well, we are safe and sound here in Ohio. We arrived in Cincinnatti on Saturday and were in a little town called Amherst on Monday.

We have visited and played with Clyde. Now we are playing with our best Collie buddies Hattie and Cassie. Well, time to get off the computer, Dog Dad wants to play.

Essex & Deacon

Remember Tosca in 08

Ohio Trip Report

We always enjoy our trips to Ohio. The first and last dog we see in Ohio has always been cousin Clyde in Cincinnati. He's not a Collie, but he belongs to Dad's sister. When we got there, we were hyper. After a night in a hotel room and 24 hours on the road, we had energy to power a small city. We chased and ran, then did it again. This must have went on for six hours straight. Clyde is sure fun. He is about the same age as Essex.

Clyde taking it easy

While in Ohio, Dad went to the Football Hall of fame in Ohio. They don't let dogs go, so he went with his nephews. The NFL has a number of teams named after felines, the Lions, Jaguars and Bengals. As for canines we have only the Cleveland Browns with the famous "Dog Pound." There were three NFL teams that folded that were named the Bulldogs. Those teams were in Canton, Cleveland and Boston. Three out of four were in Ohio, we wonder if Ohio is a more dog friendly state? We did find one thing that our Airedale friends will like. There was a team named the Oorang Indians in Marion, Ohio that was sponsored by Oorang Kennels. The owner promoted a new breed of hunting dog, the Airedale. At that time a prize Airedale was worth more than an NFL team. Any Airedale will tell you they are still worth more to their hoomans.

Football Hall - Airedales - Oorang Indians

No trip to the shores of Lake Eire are complete without visiting Hattie and Cassie on a daily basis. Those two are pawtastic. We even got to sleep over with them for two nights. Deacon had a blast, while Essex would look for Dad occasionally. When Dad came back, her tale was wagging. We chased, played tag and had lots of fun with our Collie Pals. There Dog Mom and Dad are pawsome in our books. Deacon spent a lot of time visiting their cat Chloe. I wonder if Chloe knows Mojo?

Cassie takes a breather.

Deacon and Essex playing

Deacon surrenders to Essex.

Two tired collies, Essex and Deacon.

We were happy to get back home and see Angel Paws Dog Park. We love our trips to Ohio, but the smells and sights of home always make our tales wag. I am sure the same is true for all of our cyber-paw friends.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon