5 July 1947

We hear a creaking sound.  Sherman's tail starts wagging.  We wander over to a big door and see Dad playing with some dials.  I nudge Sherman and ask him what is going on.  Sherman barks out "That is the WABAC machine Gemini!"

Sherman & Mr. Peabody 

Sherman quickly explains about how Dad would take the collies back in time using the WABAC machine. I listen intensely as Sherman tells me about previous WABAC machine adventures.  Dad turns the dials to 5 July 1947, location Chicago.

The machine makes some noises and then we are sitting on the roof of Comiskey Park in Chicago.  It is the top of the seventh inning the Indians are behind 5-1.  Joe Gordon walks.  Ken Keltner walks too.  Hank Edwards grounds shortstop to 2nd baseman, runners on first and third.Then comes up an African American man, Larry Doby.  Larry Doby strikes out. Cleveland scores two runs that inning..  When the game ends the Indians loose 6-5. 

Larry Doby

We look at Dad quizzically.  He tells us we saw the color barrier being broken in the American League.  Dad told us that  Larry Doby was a great hall of fame player, a class act.  Larry Doby helped bring the Indians there last World Series Championship in 1948.  We smile and wag our tails.  We get back in the WABAC and come home.  Hopefully there will be some more WABAC adventures.

Dog Speed,

Sherman and Gemini

The Chase - 17 June 1994

I jumped into the WABAC Machine all by myself and traveled back 20 years ago to 1994.  I got out in Bear, Delaware.  As I got out I saw a man that looked and smelled like Dog Dad, but the man is much thinner and his hair is dark. 

I slowly realize the man is a young Dog Dad.  I try to say hi, but Dog Dad just smiles at me.  He is busy visiting his friend Jim.  Dad and Jim, worked together, played racquetball and softball during the four years he lived in North Dakota.  The two of them sit down and turn on the TV.  On the TV a white Ford Bronco is driving down a road in California and is followed by police cars with flashing lights.  Dog Dad and Jim are mesmerized by the unfolding events.  I quietly slip back into the WABAC machine and come back home.

OJ - 1990

When I got back, I asked Dad about that car chase.  Dad smiles, then he tells me that twenty years ago that police were following OJ.  I give Dad a confused look.  He laughs and says, this OJ is not the cat that lives with our cyber-paw chum Skye, but a man that had played football with Buffalo.  He told me that in the months that followed many people in the United States followed the Court Room proceedings in California.  As we talked I could see that Dad had once admired this football player.  The events that unfolded after 17 June 1994 changed all that.

Dad tells me most people that lived in the United States will remember where they were when this happened.  After our talk Dog Dad comes over, gives me a hug and a kisses my forehead.  

Do you remember where you were?

Dog Speed,

Sherman

Cleveland, 10 October 1920

Today we entered the WABAC machine and traveled to 1920 and returned to Cleveland, Ohio.  As we got out and started to walk down the streets we could hear people talking about game five of the World Series.  They talked about Rube Marquard, a pitcher for the opposing Brooklyn team being arrested for trying to scalp tickets for the game on Saturday.  We all chuckled to ourselves.

As the game starts Cleveland pitcher, Jim Bagby, doesn't allow a run in the top half of the first.  We watch the bottom of the first inning, the first three batters get on base.  Up comes the right-fielder Elmer Smith.  Well cyber paw pals, Elmer hits a home run, a grand salami.  This is the first grand slam in World Series history.  The stadium is buzzing.   We smile at Dad.

The game continues and it is the bottom of the fourth inning.  Two runners on base and the pitcher Jim Bagby comes up to bat.  Ka-Pow, the ball goes over the fence for a three run shot.  This is the  first homer by a pitcher in the World Series.  Bowsers, Dad these two offensive gems have to be why you brought us to this game.  Dad just smiles.

It is now the top of the fifth and the bottom of the order comes up for Brooklyn.  Kilduff the second baseman singles to left.  Next Otto Miller, the catcher, singles to center.  The relief pitcher for Brooklyn, Clarence Mitchell is up.  The man next to us tells Dad, Mitchell is a good hitter, and was six for sixteen as a pinch hitter that season.  The count reaches 1-1 and we are chewing our tails.  Brooklyn puts on the hit-and-run play, runners are in motion.  Mitchell hits the ball hard toward center field, just several feet to the right of second base.  The Cleveland second baseman, Bill Wambsganss moves a little to his right, jumps a little, stretches out his glove and  oh my dog, he has caught the ball.  Wamby continues to second and tags the base for out number two.  As he turns around he sees Miller, who has just pulled up short and is only about five feet away.  Wamby goes over and tags Miller for out number three.  We blink in amazement and there is a dead silence in the park.  As the crowd realizes what they have seen they break out into a thunderous applause. 

Wamby Completes An Unassisted Triple Play

Bill Wambsganss

We stay through the rest of the game and our beloved Tribe wins it by a final score of 8-1.  We give Dad collie kisses after we enter the WABAC machine.  We have witnessed  the first and only unassisted triple play in World Series history.  Someday we hope Dog Dad's beloved Cleveland nine win the World Series.  Dog knows, they and the city deserve it. 

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

Labor Day - VJ Day 2013

Happy Labor Day to all our pals in the United States.  Today is also VJ Day.

We got in the WABAC machine this morning.  As Dad set the dial for 1945, he to told us to be very quiet.  We both nodded our heads.  Next thing we knew were in Tokyo Harbor aboard the battleship Missouri.  We watched a solemn ceremony as the leaders of Japan signed the document that would end World War II.  Dad told us that VJ Day stood for Victory over Japan Day and we should say a prayer for those canines and hoomans that crossed the Rainbow Bridge during WW II. 

Japanese Delegation Aboard The USS Missouri

Dad then set the dial for 15 August destination Sidney, Australia.  We watched the famous Dancing Man on Elizabeth Street in Sidney, Australia celebrating the informal end of WW II, Japan's acceptance terms of the Potsdam Declaration.  There were folks from the famous Movietone Newsreels filming the dancing man.  The folks down under call this day VP Day, Victory in the Pacific Day.  Then it was off to a building high above Times Square in New York City.  We watched as folks went crazy celebrating the informal end of the war.  Dad told us the difference in dates was do to the fact Oz was the land of tomorrow, while the United States is in the land of yesterday.  We nodded our heads.  He told us Grand Maw was celebrating the news in Buffalo, New York, while Grand Paw was in Europe doing the same.  The end of the war was a good thing.  The world could begin to rebuild.  Dog Dad told us places like Oz celebrate on the 15 August , while President Truman stated the official day for the US was the date when the official surrender was signed. 

The Dancing Man of Oz

Times Square, New York City, 14 August 1945

= = = = = =

Now back to 2013.  Yesterday we had a lot of commotion going on in our yard.  There was a strange contraption out in the yard and two strange men.  We barked at them and told Dad they were up to no good.  There was strange noises and the clanking of metal.  Dad went outside and talked to them.  After all they left, we went outside.  We stared at Dad and barked, "They stole our grass."  Dad smiled and told us, we were getting new grass for the front yard because there was to many weeds.  When we get a chance, we will have to mark our yard.

Sound The Alert Somebody Is In Our Yard

A Strange Machine

Oh No, Our Grass Is Gone

We received good news this morning.  While DWB is gone, the Chat Room will still be around.  That means we will still be able to talk with Skye, Anne and Blue on Sundays.  Dad was relieved because he won't have to figure out how to install new software that would do the same. 

Have a grrreat Labor Day to those of you in the US.  If you have a chance take a moment to remember those canines and hoomans that crossed the Rainbow Bridge during the Second World War. 

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

Cleveland, 23 MAY 1901

No results yet about the x-ray.  When Dad called our Vet, he had already left for the day. 

Then we had to delay posting because our puter caught a virus.  Sigh.

Today we went on a trip in the WABAC machine to 1901.  The place Cleveland, Ohio.  When we got out we noticed there were no cars, lots of horses and horse apples.  We walked towards the baseball field and heard people muttering about how the team lost that one.

League Park, Cleveland, Ohio Circa 1905
from Wikipedia

As we sneak into the stadium we see that the Cleveland team is behind 13-5 and there are two outs and nobody is on base.  We look at Dad wondering why we are here.  He smiles back at us.  Up to plate steps the left fielder, a single to right, then another single.   As we watch in amazement, Cleveland strings together eight hits, a hit-batter, a walk and a passed ball.  The final score 14-13 Cleveland.  We have witnessed the greatest comeback in baseball history.  Never since has a team come from so far behind with nobody on and two outs.  We are stunned.

Dad looks at us and says "Perhaps this is why people from Cleveland don't give up so easily.   This event taught them to keep plugging away."  You know cyber-paw pals, he may just be right.
 
Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

400th Post - All Collie Drill Team

Dog Dad has talked about taking this trip in the WABAC machine for a long time.  We finally did it for our 400^th post.  We traveled back to October 1973, the location Sunnybank, the home of Albert Payson Terhune.   The sky is sunny and the air crisp and cool.  We hear the noise of a crowd and then the air is filled with the music of John Philip Sousa. 


On the far right is Lil and in the center is her Mom Inga,

The collies left to right Star, Scooter, Lance, Mac and Flash

Lil and Flash lead the team

As we get to a spot where we can see, there are five collies with five lovely dog moms.  We watch in amazement as the collies and the ladies do a quadrille and perform the intricate routine to the beat of the marching music.  We marvel at the team and the concentration and precision of the five collies.  One of the smells that drift up to us is very familiar.    

Dad states “The blood of those collies, run through your veins.”  Our mouths drop open.  Dog Dad smiles and tells us “The Lady with the hula hoop is Lil and the tri-color collie with her is Flash, one of your great, great….. grand pawthers.  The Holmhaven Collie Drill Team performed at the annual Oktoberfest held at Sunnybank from 1973 to 1976 for sure.  Possibly they performed in 1977 and 1978 but I’m not sure.”  Our chests swell with pride.  The music stops and the crowd cheers and we bark.  Lil sees us but doesn’t recognize us.  We want to bark with her and the collies, but Dog Dad tells us it is time to go. Below are some better pictures of four of the five team members.

Flash

Lance

Scooter

Star

Once in the WABAC machine he tells us “You should be proud.  Besides the drill team, the foundation male for Holmhaven Kennels is Bellhaven Enchanting Lancer.  The Bellhaven Collie Kennel was run by Mrs. Florence Ilch.  Mrs. Ilch is a very famous collie breeder.  She raised many outstanding collies to include one of the most famous collies in history, Laund Loyalty of Bellhaven.  Laund Loyalty is the only collie and the youngest dog ever to finish “Best in Show” at Westminster.  He won it all in 1928 at the age of nine months.” 

Bellhaven Enchanting Lancer 

Holmhaven’s Foundation Male

1929 – Laund Loyalty of Bellhaven

This trip in the WABAC has been special.  We smile and give Dog Dad a whole lot of kisses for taking us on this extra special trip in the WABAC Machine for our 400^th post.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

Munich 1972

We went on trip with Dog Dad in the WABAC machine today.  We travelled back forty years to 5 September 1972, the location Munich, Germany.  The world was very different back then, times were simpler.  They were not as politically correct, a war was being fought in a place called Vietnam and Watergate had not yet torched the nations soul.  Dog Dad was a scrawny young High School kid.  The Holmhaven collie line was represented by a young pup named Holmhaven Magic Flash. 

Holmhaven Magic Flash, UD

We are at the the Olympic Village in Munich, West Germany.  We are going out for a walk and the time 4:30 am local.  We hear noises and look at Dad, eight terrorist have broken into the Israeli apartment in the Olympic Village.  The news coverage is intense, we watch as a tragedy unfolds before the eyes of the world.  It ends the next day at 12:04 am.  The news reports that all eleven members of the Israeli Olympic Team, a West German Police officer and five terrorists are dead. 

The 1972 Olympics are remembered for other memorable events like:

 -   Mark Spitz winning seven gold medals and setting a new world records each time.

  -   The United States losing it's first Olympic basketball game in a controversial finals to the USSR.
  -    Two USA medal winners turning their backs to the US flag when the US national anthem was being play, then being barred for life. 



1972 Memorial Plaque in Munich, Germany
from Wikipedia

These memorable Olympic events, were overshadowed by the tragedy.  Afterwards the word terrorists would be etched into the worlds and our nations vocabulary. 

Remembering Herricane Andrew

Let's take a trip in the WABAC Machine.  The dial is set back to 1992, the place Homestead, Florida.  (Great Great) Great GrandPa Rex (Holmaven Golden Rex) is only five years old.  (Great Great) Grand Pa Jason (Holmhaven King's Gold) and his brother Bobby are not even born yet.  People who read our early posts will remember the pawsome letters Great Uncle Bobby sent to Essex and Deacon.  As for our kindly Dog Dad, he is stationed half way across the world in South Korea.


(Great Great) Great GrandPa Rex

Hurricane Andrew from Wikipedia

Around 5 PM on 24 August 1992 Andrew decimated the city of Homestead, Florida.  In it's wake people died, the emergency services were maxed out.  Many pilots where Dad is stationed are worried about their family and friends living in Homestead.  Dog Dad wasn't overwhelmed with news coverage, as only CNN covered the story.  At the time it was the costliest Herricane of all time.  It was later surpassed by Katrina and Ivan.

When Dad moved to Florida in 1997, the damage from the Andrew was still visible in the city of Homestead.  He heard stories from co-workers.  Dog Dad has a great respect for the forces of mother nature.  He will not knowingly put the pack in harms way.  Tropical Storm Isaac promises to shake things up but we should be safe in our home.

We'll post tomorrow about Isaac.

Stay Safe and Dog Speed

Essex & Sherman

Lady Liberty

Today, we set the WABAC machine to 19 June 1885, destination Bedloe’s Island, New York, 127 years ago.  When we got there we watched the French frigate Isere sail into the harbor.  Dad tells us that aboard the Isere are 241 crates, that contain the Statue of Liberty.  When the pieces are assembled the statue is 151 feet tall.  What we see in the boxes is not the familiar green giant of today, but a shiny copper version.  You see the statue is made from copper sheets.  Over time copper will oxidize to the green color we are used to seeing. 

Statue of Liberty from Wikipedia

The Head on Display in Paris

The statue makes us think of Grand Paw seeing the statue on his way to Europe to fight in WW II, and then again when he returned home from the war.  We think of our pal Asta, gazing on the statue so many times when her pack lived in New York City. 

I Wonder What Shape A Dog Would Have Chosen

We sat back and wondered what the statue would have looked like if the dogs of New York City would have designed it.  Somehow, we think the shape would have been far different than it is today.  The collies think most of you pups can guess what shape we think it would have been. 

Dog Speed,

Essex & Sherman

The Buckeye Bullet

It looks like we will be going up Saturday to pick up Sherman.  It promises to be a wet rainy day in Southern Florida.  Dad's not thrilled with driving in the rain, but Sunday doesn't seem much more promising.  We are excited in many ways with the idea of training a new collie.  We will hopefully get to see our DWB cyber-paw pals Jake and JH.

Jesse Owens - The Buckeye Bullet

Earlier today Dad and I took a trip in the WABAC machine.  We went back 75 years ago to the Berlin Summer Olympics Games.  The Olympic Games were played from 1 - 18 August, and Grand Paw was only 17 years old back then.  The hero for the US was Jesse Owens, who put on an amazing show, winning four gold medals.  About three years after those Olympics, the world went mad and went to a very, very dark place.

Jesse Cleveland Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama in 1913.  His family moved to Cleveland, Ohio when he was nine.  He went to school in the Cleveland area and went to college at Ohio State University, where he earned the nickname the "Buckeye bullet."   This all makes us wonder.  Do you think Jesse was a Cleveland Indians fan?

Looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

Essex & Dog Dad

Gagarin

If you know our Dad, he is a PBS kind of guy. So today we got to go in the WABAC machine to travel back fifty years to find out about a cosmonaut named Yuri Gagarin. Gagarin left the bonds of mother earth at 0607 UTC on 12 April 1961. He was the first hoooman in space. His mission lasted 1 hour and 48 minutes.

Yuri Gagarin, 4 MAR 1964 - Sweden

From Wikipedia

We kept poking our noses in Dad's ribs and barking "Three years and five months after Laika the Dog went into outer space." That just proves how much braver we dogs are than a hoomens. A lot has changed since those days many moons ago, but the Collies bark about a brave cosmonaut that ventured into a brave new world called outer space. Dog Speed Essex & Deacon

The Challenger

Smoke plume from the Challenger from Wikipedia

28 April 1986 , 25 years ago today, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart. Dad was a young man living in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The launch was a media event because a teacher named Christa McAuliffe was going into outer space. Dad watched the launch on TV at his home. He remembers watching the Challenger take off, rise in the air, go high in the sky and then it was no more. Dog Dad later found out Judith Resnik, the female astronaut, on the flight was a cousin to a good friend and fellow Geology major and teaching assistant, that he went to school with at the University of Toledo. Dad told us his friend was a good man and he felt for him. However, many miles separated them and there was little he could do for him.

The disaster was not expected because of the glowing safety record of NASA. A nation was in stunned, this wasn't supposed to happen. The investigation and news that came out did not paint glowing picture of NASA.

Three days later at a memorial service for the astronauts, President Reagan said, "Sometimes, when we reach for the stars, we fall short. But we must pick ourselves up again and press on despite the pain." We guess that sums up what Dog Dad's parents taught him. To pick himself up and press on.

So today we remember those who went before us. We honor those who dared greatly, some of whom never returned to those that loved them. Rest in peace the crew of Challenger, you are not forgotten.

Dog Speed and God Bless,

Essex, Deacon & Dog Dad too.

We Remember

On TV and in the newspaper we noticed the subject of D-Day was brought up. So we asked Dog Dad what he knew about it. He told us it was many, many dog moons ago when Grand-Paw was a young pup. There was terrible fighting taking place in Europe and Asia. A bunch of soldiers landed to free Europe from some terrible goings on. A lot of those young men never made it back home.

He told us Grand-Paw was still in the United Kingdom when D-Day took place. Grand-Paw landed several days later. The nightmare Grand-Paw was in a place called Hurtgen Forrest. That is a story for another time and place.

Today we remember those who sacrificed their lives on 6 June 1944 in a far away place called France. The picture below is of Grand-Paw in Paris, France after VE Day.

Grand-Paw 1945, Paris, France

Essex & Deacon

A Gray Powder

Dog Dad was wistfully looking at some light-gray powder. We had to ask him about it. Dad said the grayish powder first saw the light 30 years ago today, which is many dog moons ago. He talked about a hooman named Harry Randall Truman and a place called Mount St. Helens.

Light-Gray Powder

We went into the WABAC machine to a time Dog Dad was a young lad, studying geology. The events surrounding St. Helens were of major interest to geologist. It started with several small earthquakes on 15 March, then on 25 March a 4.5 earthquake on the Richter scale. Geologists took notice and on 3 April the Governor declared a state of emergency. A cantankerous old man named Harry Randall Truman living at Mountain St. Helens Lodge at the foot of the mountain captured the spotlight. No one was going to force him and his 16 cats to leave their mountain.

On 18 May 1980 at 8:32 a.m. Pacific Daylight time Mount St. Helens blew her top. A 5.1 earthquake rocked the area and a volcanic material spewed into the air. Thousand of animals and 57 humans perished in that eruption, to include the 16 cats and Mr. Truman. Things most haven gotten hot, because two weeks later the volcanic flow deposits still were 300 °C to 420 °C (570 °F to 785 °F).

Harry Randall Truman

Photographs courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

18 May 1980 - Mount St. Helens

That light-gray powder is volcanic ash from St. Helens. Dog Dad was given that by another geologist he met while at a job interview with an oil company in Oklahoma. Well, this is the end of our tail from the WABAC machine.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

Plan Dog

Dad was in strangely quiet this morning. He drank his coffee and scratched us behind the ears. Then he said to us, "We must never forget."

We gave him our best you lost us Dad look.

In a low quiet voice that was almost a whisper he told us of a time before Dog Dad was a twinkle in Grand-Paw's eye. Back when Grand-Paw was a young man. The world was in upheaval. Europe and China were ablaze. The United States had watched but had not entered the war. On Sunday, December 7th 1941 everything changed. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Almost every American living then could tell you were they where. Grand-Paw remembers of that we are sure. He was a soldier during WW II and served in Europe.

Grand-Paw and pups circa 1942-43

Grand-Paw and a pup

Mojave Desert, Calif - 1942

Some saw the approaching storm and started making plans. In 1940 the Chief of Naval Operations wrote a memorandum that was given to President Roosevelt on 12 November 1940. That memorandum described four courses of action A through D. The recommendation was to go with option D. D stood for Dog in the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet. The options were:

• A - Defend the western hemisphere.
• B - Go on the offensive in the Pacific against Japan while remaining on the defensive in the Atlantic.
• C - Fight equally committed in both the Atlantic and Pacific.
• D - Go on the offensive in the Atlantic (against Germany and Italy) while remaining on the defensive in the Pacific.

Our names have strong ties to WW II. Deacon came from Grand-Paw being the Chaplains assistant and driving around the front lines during the war. Grand-Paw and the Chaplain were even strafed by a Messerschmitt. They abandoned the jeep and scattered into the woods. When they got back there was a cannon hole between their seats. Dad's college roommate's aviator father served on the Essex during the Korean War, but the Essex was built and saw battle during WW II.

Dog Dad slowly took a sip of coffee. Faced west and saluted. We know Dog Dad won't forget.

Essex & Deacon

Favorite College Team

We were sitting with Dad on the sofa watching football when he asked “Essex, Deacon what is your favorite college team?”

We howled back “Guess.”

He named off “Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC, Florida and Notre Dame.” We rolled our eyes. Then he said “It must be a dog.” Tails wagged. He said “The Washington Huskies, Georgia Bulldogs, Connecticut Huskies, and North Carolina State Wolfpack.” We shook our heads no.

Dad said “I give up, who is your favorite team?” We barked “Texas A&M.”

“The Aggies, why in dogs name are you Aggie fans?” Then we told him about Reveille.

Reveille VII from Wickipedia

Reveille is Texas A&M’s Collie mascot. She is a cadet general, and wears 5 diamonds on her maroon-and-white blanket. All freshmen cadets refer to her as “Miss Rev, ma’am.” She picks a sophomore to be the mascot corporal and Miss Rev goes classes and accompanies him on dates. Reveille has her own cell phone and student identification card. If she decides to sleep on a cadet’s bed, the cadet sleeps on the floor. We looked at Dad. He laughed his friendly low laugh and said “In your dreams guys.”

The story of Reveille started in January 1931. Several members of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie band were returning from a party when they unexpectedly hit a small black and white mixed-breed stray dog. They smuggled her into school, but the dog began barking when “Reveille” was blown by the bugler, thus the origin of her name.

Reveille I from Wickipedia

During the opening football season, Reveille I became the official mascot and led the band onto the field for their half-time performance. During WW II Reveille I was given the rank of Cadet General by the U.S. Army. When she crossed the rainbow bridge on 18 January 1944, a military funeral was held at the football stadium and she was buried at the north entrance facing the scoreboard so she could always watch the score of the game.

Reveille Grave Site from Wickipedia

The students tried but were unable to raise funds for a second dog. An alumnus donated a sheltie, who became Reveille II. Reveille II was the mascot from 1952-1966. “Miss Rev” marched with the Aggie Band during football games and she had a habit of relieving herself on the football field. Bets were often placed as to which yard line.

Reveille III – VIII have been purebred Collies. Some interesting things include when Reveille IV crossed the bridge in 1984 over 10,000 hoomans attended her funeral. Reveille V was mischievous and loved to steal erasers from chalkboards during class. Reveille VI became a movie star in the 1996 film "Reveille, My Life as the Aggie Mascot." Reveille VIII became took over in 2008 and was whelped in Topeka, Kansas. We wonder if Topeka is close to Wichita where Great (Great) Uncle Bobby used to live.

Hmmm, if we start licking Dad’s face and nibbling on his ear, maybe we can get our own cell phone and time on the bed. It is worth a try, right cyber-paw pals?

Dog Speed

Essex & Deacon

Once, Twice a Lady

Dad told us yesterday that Lady I, Lady II and their Dog Mom wanted to wish us Happy Thanksgiving. We really liked their Dog Mom, she could even make Essex's tail swish and Essex is only that way with only a few of people. Their Mom had to leave them with their Dog Dad in northern Florida for a year. She misses them a lot and all three of them always treated us nice.

We got to do our sniffs before Dad went on vacation in October. The Ladies snuck up by Dog Dad to get petted. We think they like him a lot. Then of course Collie People are like that. If there is another one around they will find each other.

Grand-Paw is doing better. He is still in the hospital but doing a lot better now. We sure hope to get to see him again. He is a pawsome guy. We think have convinced Dad to make us some Cheddar Collies and some other dog treats for Thanksgiving. Stay tuned to see if we are successful.

Essex & Deacon

Lady I takes a breather

Lady II poses for the camera

The Four Key West Collies
Lady I, Deacon, Essex and Lady II

War Dog Memorial

Bougainville - 1943

Last year we barked about our paw-fathers and paw-mutters that served in the Great War (WW I). This Veterans Day we bark about those that served in the South Pacific during WW II. The official US Marine dog during WW II was the Doberman Pinscher. Their first action was during the landing as Bougainville on 1 November 1943. These Devil Dogs detected mines, went on patrol, performed sentry duty and sniffed out the enemy. They saw combat on Saipan, Iwo Jima, Guam and Okinawa.

The 2nd and 3rd Marine Platoons on Guam used more War Dogs than all the other areas of combat in the Pacific. While during their duty on Guam 25 of our paw-fathers crossed the rainbow bridge in 1944. One Devil Dog named Kurt saved the lives of 250 soldiers when he alerted them to Japanese troops. Most of these dogs were buried in the Marine cemetery and marked by simple concrete graves that were each indented with the dog’s profile.

Marine and wounded Dobe
Guam - 1944

Guam War Dog Cemetery - 1944

At the wars end 549 dogs remained. Military Brass argued these dogs were killers unfit to return. They were wrong. The Devil Dogs were detrained and only four found unfit to return to civilian life.

War Dog Memorial

Fifty years later a new War Dog Memorial was dedicated to those dogs that never left Guam. The inscription on the memorial reads as follows:

25 Marine War Dogs gave their lives liberating Guam in 1944. They served as sentries, messengers, scouts. They explored caves, detected mines and booby traps.
SEMPER FIDELIS.

Kurt--------Yonnie------Koko-------Bunkie
Skipper---Poncho-----Tubby-----Hobo
Ni-----------Prince------Fritz--------Emmy
Missy------Cappy------Duke-------Max
Blitz--------Arno---------Silver------Brockie
Bursch----Pepper-----Ludwig----Rickey
Tam (buried at sea off Asan Point)

Given in their memory and on behalf of the surviving men of the 2nd and 3rd marine war dogs platoons, many of whom owe their lives to the bravery and sacrifice of these gallant animals.

To Those Brave Men

Dad was real quiet this morning on our walk. He looked to the northeast deep in thought. He does that every 15 April morning. When we got home, he brewed some Kona coffee, poured a cup, looked to the northeast and made a toast “To those brave men.” He gave us some cheese and we remembered those brave dogs. Maybe you are one of those that have forgotten what happened the on 14-15 April. We forgive you, not many remember. Dad thinks of them, even though his father was just a glimmer in his Grand Paw’s eye. Who are those brave men and the significance of 15 April? Let’s take a trip back in the WABAC machine. The year is 1912.

You are aboard a huge ship in the North Atlantic Ocean sailing south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. At 1140 PM on 14 April the ship’s bell sounds three times and you hear the lookout exclaim “Iceberg, right ahead!” You feel the ship shudder as it brushes the iceberg on the ship’s starboard side. At 1240 AM the first lifeboat is lowered. Among them is Margaret Hay’s Pomeranian. Two other dogs get on two different life boats. They are Elizabeth Rothchild’s pooch and Henry Sleeper Harper’s Pekinese, Sun Yat Sen. Six other dogs are left behind, among them champion bulldog, Gamon de Pycombe and a St. Bernard.

The stern of the great boat rises out of the water around 2:10 AM exposing the propellers. By 2:20 Am the last of the great ship disappears, sinking to the bottom of the ocean. Of the total of 2,223 people only 706 survive. Three out of nine dogs aboard survive. Roughly 20% of the men, 33% of the dogs, 55% of the children and 74% of the women survive. Most of the deaths were caused by hypothermia in the cold 28 F (-2 C) water.

The great ship was the RMS Titanic. Dad remembers those who sacrificed their lives on April 15. Those brave men were both rich and poor. Dad visited the Titanic Memorial in Washington D.C. many dog moons before we came to live with him. The Women of America erected that memorial in 1931. The inscription reads….
“To The Brave Men Who Perished In The Wreck of The Titanic, April 15, 1912. They Gave Their Lives That Women and Children Might Be Saved.”

We wonder how many remember those brave men. Dad please toast again and pass us another piece of cheese so we can toast along with you.

Dog Speed,

Essex & Deacon

The RMS Titanic at dock at Southampton

The last lifeboat
The RMS Titanic Memorial in Washington D.C.