11 October 2012

We have been busy going  to the park and helping Dad around the house.  We took some old paint and electronics to a special junk yard event last Saturday.  We got to visit Foxy's Maw and Paw.  It has been several months since we visited.  Our friends are doing fun.  In case you don't recall Foxy passed away many many dog moons ago, when Essex was just a pup.  Essex speaks fondly of Foxy and gives her hooomans special big tail wags because they are pawsome friends of ours. 


Psst, come closer

"Psst, come closer, I have something to tell you.  Grrrreat Auntie Essex turns nine years old on 13 October.  That is a lot of dog moons folks.  Dad is planning to make cheddar collies for her barkday.  Essex has taught me a lot and I just wanted to give you a tails up.  I'm not worried about her finding out, because  The Secretary of Da-Fence is aways on guard.  Hope you have a great day and enjoy the cooler weather."

The Secretary of DaFence

Dog Speed,

Sherman

Lazy Summer Day

Essex taking it easy

We have had company come several times during the week. Dad's friend Kay and her Grand Kids came over to visit and use the pool. It is nice to see people around. Both of us love Kay, especially Essex. Kay is the dog mom of our Guardian Dog Angel, Foxy. So when she comes over, Dad sees a Essex's tail wag. That always makes Dog Dad smile. We think Essex was remembering Foxy in the picture above.

Foxy, our Guardian Dog Angel

The weather has been hot and humid. We don't feel like going out much during the day. We are once again watching the tropics. We hate this time of year, herricane season.

Our friend PJ is now in California with his hooman family. They don't have a house yet, but being with your pack is the most important thing.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

Bobby's Last Letter

Bobby - 2007

Dear Great Niece Essex and Great Great Nephew Deacon,

If you are getting this letter, I have crossed the rainbow bridge and could not be with you for my fourteenth barkday. I so wanted you to celebrate it with you. I know you will be thinking about me today. I asked Dog Mom and Dog Dad to e-bark this to you today.

First, I am proud you are my Great Niece and Great Great Nephew. You are a wonderful pair of Collies. Secondly, be kind to other animals and take care of your Dad. I know you chose and outstanding Dog Dad, just like Mac and I chose a pawtastic Dog Mom and Dad. Introduce your Dad to the good people in the world. We dogs are much better judge of character than hoomans. There are far more good people in the world than hoomans realize.

Lastly, do not feel sorry for me. I have lived a full life. I have been so tired lately and it has been so very, very hard to get around. I think of my best friend Mac a lot. We had a so much fun together. I think of the tails Honey told us about her Sam when Mac and I were just little puppies. I feel the Rainbow Bridge calling. I can see, hear and smell Mac, Honey, Sam and your(Great) Great Grand Pa Jason (my brother). In the distance I can sense Foxy and your Dad’s first dog Pudgy. I hope my Dog Mom and Dad can meet all of you someday, I know you would like each other. Thanks for being you.

Woof and Sniffs,

Great (Great) Uncle Bobby

= = = = =

Cyber Paw Pals,

We miss Great (Great) Uncle Bobby and wish this wasn’t his last letter. We are proud to have know him. Bobby has left paw prints in the snow. We are happy he is no longer in pain, that he lived a full life and had a wonderful Dog Mom and Dad. We feel for both of them. We told Dog Dad to tell them they are part of our extended family, and if they are down this way to stop by and spend some time with us.

Dog Speed Bobby, forever the hunter, we know you are chasing rabbits and deer on the other side of the rainbow bridge when you are not watching over us and your family. We never mentioned it before but Great (Great) Grand Pa Jason passed away June 2006 from dog flu.

Essex & Deacon

Bobby and Mac taking it easy
Sam and Honey

Great (Great) Grand Paw Jason

Foxy - Our Guardian Dog AngelPudgy - Dog Dad's first dog

Guardian Dog Angel - Foxy

Foxy at Home in the Keys

Foxy was a wise fourteen year old collie when I was just a pup. In case you don’t remember, Foxy was the Great Dane’s envoy to see if Dad was ready for a dog. Deacon found Foxy’s report in the howled archives stating Dad was pawtastic collie material.

Foxy watched over Dad during October 2003. Her Mom and Dad had to be gone and wanted someone they could trust to watch her. They knew Dad was considering a dog, so they asked him to dog sit. Dad snapped that up quicker than I do a chunk of extra sharp cheddar cheese. While, Foxy taught Dad the way of the collie, I was whelped at Holmhaven Collies. Dad was happy he dog sat, and the Great Dane liked what he saw.

Foxy herds a young friend

Essex ponders Foxy's sage advice

Unfortunately, Foxy was called to cross the rainbow bridge on April 2004. My mentor was gone. Foxy was a sweet gentle soul; that loved everyone. Her tail was quick to wag and a cat named Trouble was her friend. She loved car rides, playing tag, ice cubes and cheese. She barked at people when they were leaving.

I howled at the moon for two days when Foxy crossed the rainbow bridge. There were so many questions about Dad and humans I wanted to ask. I know Foxy is watching over us as our guardian dog angel. Well, it is time to sign off because I hear Dad coming.

Dog speed,

Essex

Foxy hears something in the woods

Foxy, I miss you

Thanks for your advice

Foxy getting a bath.

I think she hated bath too.

A Five Scent Dog

The school was having a raffle for border collie puppies. Dad pleaded with Grand Ma for some money to buy a chance, just one nickel, five scents pleeeezeeee. We still say a nickel only has one scent, but we digress. Grand Ma gave him a nickel; Dad would only have one ticket, while others had hundreds. The chances were a pawzillion to one. We know Dad is one in a pawzillion, so of course he got to take a little fur ball home. The cute little black and white fur ball that adopted Dad needed a name. One of Dad’s sisters suggested the name Pudgy, it stuck.

Well, any dog is a lot of responsibility for an eight year old and a border collie is a lot of dog for even for an adult human. As Pudgy grew he started taking Dad for a walk. While, Pudgy was Dad's dog, Grand Ma and Grand Paw, cared for him. Five months later Dad’s younger brother and sister were born. With babies around, it was decided to put Pudgy up for adoption. He needed a good home, with a fenced in yard and a lot of room One June day, Pudgy left with a man who owned such a place. Pudgy was sad to go and never saw Dad again, but it was for the best.

Dad entered a nomadic phase as an adult. This period lasted many dog moons and saw Dad live in more places that I have toes. Dad even lived in Asia and Central America. When this phase ended the Great Dane decided Dad deserved a second chance. The chance involved dog sitting for friends. First an amazing sable and white rough collie named Foxy visited for a month. Next, a wonderful dog named Nicky visited for two weeks. Both sent glowing reports to the Great Dane.

Dog sitting is a good way to for Dogs to find out if you have the right stuff. Dog people hate using a kennel, and rather have someone they trust watch us. Well, have to run. Time for our Sunday walk.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon