Busy Days

We are still alive and doing well.  We have just been busy.
We miss having Dad's brudder around.  We enjoyed having him visit us during the Essexmas Holiday Season.  It meant more treat, more walks, more attention, did we say more treats.  Sherman was looking for him after he left. 

Sherman and Brudder Steve

Dad was busy weeding the yard and spraying for ticks.  We are definitely finding less of them.  Dad knows it will be an ongoing war against the evil ticks. 

Ollie, Leo and Sherman tugging on a stick

Bodie

Sherman was attacked twice by a yellow Labrador Retriever named Major at the dog park.  No serious injuries, just worried dog parents.  The second time, Sherman was trying to stay away and hiding under the park bench.  It might be because Sherman hasn't been fixed yet.  Major has definitely taken a dislike to him though.  Most of the other pups just love him.  We just practice avoidance.

Sherman resting

Sherman has returned to puppy prison.  He decided to not bother to hold his poop.  Dad figured one time he ran lots late, but several times made him decide Sherman didn't care.  So Sherman is now kennelled during the day.  When Dad comes home, he lets us outside before we go to the park.  If he sees Sherman go, both of us get a reward.  Dad hopes this sinks into Sherman's head to hold on till Dad gets home.

Cheddar Collies in the Oven

Cheddar Collies & Peanut Butter Labs

We will try to post again soon.

Essex & Sherman

2011 Review

We wish all our cyber-paw pals a barky New Year.  We hope 2012, the Year of the Dragon is kind to every paw.   For us 2011 was a difficult year, colored by the premature passing of Deacon.  On the bright side Sherman was introduced to our pack.  Good friends like Sasha, Max, Duke and Gino have left Key West.  New friends like Tonks, Kiana, Raman and Gibbs are new regulars at Angel Paws now.  Now for the Key West Collies 2011 recap.
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18 January – Silly hooomans incident at Angel Paws

09 February– Our Collie Chum Hattie Crosses the Rainbow Bridge



Our Chum Hattie

22 February  – Christchurch, New Zealand is struck by a 6.3 earthquake.  We read about it in the Bark-a-lot Lodge Shelties blog which includes a pawsome video clip.

27 February  – The Collie next door Kylie leaves to live with her Grand-Maw

04 March – Deacon gets tagged on the snout at Angel Paws over dog treats

09 March – Sasha, the Rat Terrorist. leaves Key West for North Florida

Sasha

11 March – Japan is struck by a 9.0 earthquake and struck by a tidal wave.  Fukushima nuclear power plant is damaged.  The confirmed death toll reaches 15,844 with 3,451 missing. 

26 April - Gracie Lou joins our collie chum Cassie’s pack in Ohio.

Gracie Lou

22 May – Joplin, Missouri is devastated by a tornado.

27 May – Great sadness descends on our pack as Essex’s nephew Deacon crosses the bridge in a freak tragic accident at our home.

Deacon

05 June – Essex’s great nephew, Sherman is born.

13 June – Christchurch, New Zealand is struck by a 6.4 Earthquake.

24 June – Essex’s great nephew Shiloh signs our guest book.  Sherman brother Dakota later goes to live with Shiloh 

Shiloh

04 July – Sir Oliver e-barks us from Maine and we post about him four days later. 

Sir Oliver

05 July– Dog Dad’s sisters dog Raffie Crosses the Rainbow Bridge.

Raffie

09 July – Shiloh starts his own blog.

18 July – Last Space Shuttle launch into outer space.

22 July – Great Uncle Bobby’s Mom visits Essex & Dog Dad

Great Uncle Bobby's Dog Mom & Essex

 03 August – Lucy the Smooth Collie Crosses the Bridge

Lucy

06 August – Sherman comes to Key West to join our pack.  One brudder Dakota joined Shiloh’s pack in central Florida, while his sable Brudder Duke went to live in North Carolina.

Essex, Sherman & Dog Dad

21 – 28 August – Hurricane Irene slams the east coast of the United States.

25 September – Sherman’sFirst visit to Angel Paws Dog Park.

04 October – Cousin Toby at Holmhaven Collies crosses the Rainbow Bridge

Toby

17-19 October – Heavy Rains hit Key West.  Lots of street flooding occurs.

21 October – Claudette, the Dog Mom of the Hudson Furkids crosses the Rainbow Bridge due to cancer.  She is greatly missed by many DWBers. 

27 October – 17 November – Lady I and her Dog Mom visit us in Key West.

Lady I

29 October – Snow and Ice storm hit the east coast.  Our pal Skye is without power for 4.5 days

05 December – Essex catches giardia, we get medicine from our Vet.

19 December – The beginning of the “Tick Wars.”

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We didn't realize so much happened in 2011 until we sat down and did this post.  May the lord protect and watch over all of you.

Dog Speed,

Essex, Sherman and Dog Dad

Essex's Eight Year Barkaversary

Me and Dog Dad are sitting looking at each other.  Eight years ago Dog Dad got in his Ford Explorer and drove to the Fort Lauderdale area to bring me into his life.  We are reminiscing me crawling up his arm as he left Holmhaven. I was scared to leave Holmhaven.  I have to admit that I made a good choice in my Dog Dad.  We have been through many things over those eight years.
 
We have seen many dogs and people come and leave Angel Paws Dog Park and Key West.  I was there to comfort during several Rainbow Bridge crossings.  Grand-Maw in 2008, Grand-Paw in 2010 and the crossing of my nephew Deacon in 2011.  I helped him keep it together during the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma, which flooded most of Key West.  We had happy visits to Ohio together and shared the immense joy of having Sherman come into our lives.  Dad tells me I did an amazing job training Sherman the way of the Collie.

Essex's Holmhaven Puppy Picture - 2003

Checking Out the Neighbors Yard -  January 2004

Hopefully, the three of us will have many more years together.

Dog Speed,

Essex

Essexmas 2011

We hope all of you had a pawsome Essexmas.  We received plenty of stuff and enjoyed ourselves.  Dog Dad got a painting of Deacon on slate, that caused him to get a little misty eyed, he still misses his Collie Ambassador when he thinks about it.  He does love Sherman too.  So here are some pictures of our Essexmas presents for our pack. 

Dog Speed,

Essex, Sherman & Dog Dad

A Blanket from Dog Dad

A Toy From Stevie-Grrr-Wonder



A Present from Dog Dad Sister Marge



A Sqeaky Toy, Pawsome

A Cookie Jar and Treats From Santy Paws

Collar, a leash and a Throw for our Couch

Presents from Marge & Becky

A Treat Jar

Rawhides from Bev in Virginia

A Pawtographed Copy of Joel Walton's Book

Essex Opens Marges Rawhide Treats

We Got Dad a Tote Bag for the Park

Brudder Steve's Present to Dad



Some Cards from our Cyber Pals



Essexmas Eve

Sherman is so excited.  Essexmas is almost here.  Sherman can't wait to see Santy Paws.   We have been extra good.  Essex has trained her great nephew the way of the collie.  We put up with silly red hats.  Santy Paws, please be good to us.

Dog Speed and Merry Essexmas to all,

Essex & Sherman

Ticks

Dad is not a happy camper right now.  He found a tick on Essex and then found over twenty on Sherman.  Dad is guessing Sherman is picking them up at the dog park.  In the eight years Essex has been with Dad, if he picked off two from her or Deacon in year, that was a lot.  He has went several months at a time without finding a single tick.  This @#&*#) twenty, that is a lot and it going to make him extra vigilant.  .

Now, we were due to get our medication on the 24th, but it will be a bit early this month.  Essex will get hers tonight and Sherman will get his tomorrow.  Dad needs to get him weighed at the vets office first.  He doesn't want to put to much on Sherman because he is afraid he'll get sick. 

As for the @#&*#)  ticks.  After removing them, Dad boils them in water.  Kill the little @#&*#) is what Dog Dad says. 

Essex & Sherman

Essexmas Baking 2011

We want everyone that Essex is doing pawsome.  She is eating regular and that nasty giardia bug is leaving her alone.  Sherman is growing like a collieweed.  He is now taller than Essex.  Things have been kind of busy for Dog Dad.  He has been doing Essexmas baking.  When he does that, we just chill out.


Sherman & Essex chilling out



Sherman is getting tall

Walnut Rounds

Petticoat tails

Pecan Delights

Mazurki

Czechaslovakian Cookies

Anise Oil Cookies

Angel Food Cake

Flan

Placzek