Cousin Toby Crosses The Bridge

We found out from our breeder mom, Lil, that our cousin, (Holmhaven Pure Copper, UD, RE) Toby, crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Tuesday, 4 October. Toby was born 6 January 2003; his sire was Duffy vom Grutlohner Hof, Imp and his dam was Holmhaven Crystal Treasure. Both Toby and Essex had Jason for a Grand Paw and both would have called Jason’s brudder Great Uncle Bobby.

Cousin Toby, January 2003- October 2011

The collies are sad. The Key West Collies knew Toby from when we were pups. Toby was ten months older than Essex and was almost a year old when Essex left to come live in Key West. Sherman is even more closely related as Toby paw-rents are Sherman's Great Grand Paw-rents. Our Dog Angel, Deacon would have called Toby’s Mutter, Grand Mutter.

Toby was a Velcro collie and loved to be as close to Lil as possible. He loved going to shows with Lil. When he finished his Utility Degree, Toby still wanted to go to classes and make Lil proud. So Lil and Toby learned to do all the Rally exercises together. Toby was happy to just be with Lil and loved to give her kisses. Toby had been battling a lung when Dog Dad and I went bring Sherman to our home. He fought the lung infection for three months and at the end would only eat only braunschweiger. We know that Lil is missing him terribly. She referred to Toby as her soul mate: and since she has been so lucky to know so many collies, that means Toby was extra special.

To Lil and the Holmhaven Collies: Thank you for sharing your pack with so many people. Know that you have made the world a better place. We know your pain and appreciated your kind words after Deacon’s sudden crossing. We are sure that Toby is playing with Deacon, Cousin Howie, Great Uncle Bobby, Grand Paw Jason and many other Holmhaven Collies in the forest and fields that are past the Rainbow Bridge.

Dog Speed

Essex, Sherman and Dog Dad too.

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

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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

Ft. Meyers Cousins

We were so excited yesterday folks. We raised quite a ruckus after we spotted an e-bark from our cousins in Naples.

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Teddy here, the last time you saw me I was just a tiny puppy. I am now about five month old. Everyday is an adventure here with Cousin Howie. I just want to do and see everything; my motor is running almost all the time. I try to show my family how much I love them by jumping but they don’t seem to like that very much. I like to play, nip and try to bounce Howie to get him going, but he is a fuddy duddy. Dog mom loves this little white spot on my nose and I think it is pretty cool myself. I like my chosen family. I think that I look a lot like Deacon, especially with that dark spot on my tail, what do you think?

I gotta zoom, so I'll let Howie finish the letter.

Teddy - 25 JAN

Teddy - 2 MAR

Teddy, Howie & one of their boys - 12 MAR

Teddy - 10 APR

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Cousins,

That young whippersnapper Teddy is keeping me on my toes. Essex I don’t know how you kept Deacon in line. Sometime Dog Mom takes Teddy to another room, just so I can get some rest. If I were still a pup, I would show him a thing or two, but I turn ten in September. The arthritis flairs up sometimes and I can’t keep up with the pupster. I'll try to stay in touch more often.

Woofingly Yours,

Cousin Howie

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Dog, Oh Dog were we glad to hear from those two. We appreciate the pictures and Teddy has grown so much since the picture we got of him back in early January. He sure is a handsome lad and looks a lot like Deacon, except a lighter shade of sable. Essex sympathizes with Howie as she had her hands full teaching Deacon what to do.

The renovation continues and the second bathroom is going quicker. Here is what it looked like and here is what they torn all up. We are still hoping that they dig to China or even better India. It would be neat to have a tunnel going straight to Oorvi’s home.

Before

Today

Dog Speed.

Essex & Deacon

Note From Cousin Howie

Essex & Deacon,

I haven't barked at you two for quite some time. I think we are going to become a two collie family. Yep, another Holmhaven puppy might just adopt my family. I think it will be a lot of fun teaching a young pupster the Collie way. Plus it will give me someone that speaks dog to bark at.

Howie's new paw pal

Essex any advice on how did you break in a pupster? You did an pawstanding job with Deacon from what has been barked my way.

Woofingly yours,

Cousin Howie

Cousin Howie

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Howie,
Oh my dog, it is so pawsome to hear from you after all these dog moons. We are so glad you are doing well.

You should have an easy job breaking in the pupster. You won't have a juvenile pup-linquent to break from bad habits. You can start the pupster out right and train him the collie way. We hope to see a picture of the two of you together soon. We think that would be so pawsome. Don't be a strange-dog, keep in touch. If you are ever in Key West look us up. We would love to have you visit us.

Dog Speed

Essex & Deacon

Essexmas 2007

We had lots of fun on Essexmas 2007. Bobby and Howie e-barked us.
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Merry Essexmas you two. Things are going well. Especially since I am enjoying a Louisiana Essexmas visiting my hooman's relatives and friends. It sure is a nice warm break from the frigid Kansas weather. I heard both of you were good collies, so Santa Paws should be good to you. I woof you both.

Great (Great) Uncle Bobby.

Bobby enjoying warmer weather

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Merry Essexmas cousins. It is Santa Howie. I wish my two favorite cyber-paw cousins the best of things this holiday season. I hope Santa Paws was good to you and you had as much fun as I did.
Cousin Howie

Santa Howie

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Great (Great) Uncle Bobby, Howie, relatives and paw pals. We had a great Essexmas. Lots of treats and some neat stuff. Santa Paws gave Dad a dog treat cook book, so now he can make us home made treats. We were at the dog park for two hours, ate plenty of treats, had a belly rub and were scratched behind our ears. We send all of you a double Collie Blessing during this Holiday Season.

Have a Collie Jolly Essexmas and a Barky New Year

Essex & Deacon

A new door mat and a Collie Barking Only sign

Bones, greenies and dog treats - We were good doggies

A Cook Book, Bone shaped Cookie Cutter and a Picture Album.

A Cleveland Browns Dog Pound Ornament

Found - Cousin Howie

The paw of the Great Dane works in mysterious ways. A ray of sunshine contacted us yesterday to remind us that good things happen too. Cousin Howie was sniffing around cyber-paw space and decided to e-bark us. That makes our sixth relative found in cyber-paw space. We started barking, running in circles and made such a commotion that Dad rushed in to find out what was the matter. We pointed our noses to the screen to show him the e-bark from Howie. Dad gave us a warm hug, we kissed his face and we all started acting silly.

Howie had a similar story to Deacon in that he came back to Holmhaven. Howie had been living with a family in Naples, Florida. Things did not work out and he returned to Holmhaven. Eight month old Howie then decided to adopt Mary and her two sons. He was in the back of the room with all his relatives in between when he saw his Dog Mom and her sons walk in. The thought of a furever home made him bark and jump for joy. Dog Mom said “Please tell me Howie is not the one jumping.” The answer was “Yes.” They loved him immediately. The family was going through some rough times and Howie was just what it needed. Howie said goodbye to his relatives, got in the car and drove through Alligator Alley to his furever home a little over seven years ago. Howie just celebrated his eighth barkday on 13 September.

Howie is an excellent watch dog like Essex but not as reserved. He loves most everyone he meets. Howie especially loves his family, but barked us that collies are very few in his neighborhood. Like the two of us, he reminds his hoomans they are loved and helps them to keep their chins up when the chips are down. Dad said those qualities remind him of us.

We hope Howie stays in contact and welcome relatives and friends to e-bark us.

Dog Speed

Essex & Deacon

Holmhaven Majestic Mufasa, aka Lion King
But everyone knows him as Howie
The King relaxing