Catching Up

We kept meaning to post, but life kept getting in the way.  Sigh.

Dad was off Tuesday last week and our buddy Gandalf stopped over while his Dad was golfing.  Dad was home because the check engine light came on inside the collie-mobile.  Gandalf was surprised how big I had gotten.  Here is a link to my first meeting with Gandalf

Gandalf the Border Collie

Gemini Resting in Our Backyard

Gemini & Gandalf

Sherman, Gemini & Gandalf

Earlier last week Gemini was playing with Sky, Dad noted Gemini had a bloody mouth and Sky's Mom saw blood on her fur.  First they thought Gemini bit her tongue, but they were wrong.  She was loosing a tooth.  Dad tried to grab the tooth, but Gemini swallowed it.  BOL.

Thanksgiving, we got to sniff around one of Dad's friends house, while he visited.  It sure was pawsome to sniff some new smells.

Gemini Resting After a Busy Turkey Day

Hopefully, we will post again soon.

Dog Speed,,

Sherman & Gemini

A Gray Day

It has been a gray day outside, which fit in perfect with Dads mood.

First there is a pawtograph of the two of us together.  As you can see we get along quite well.  We have the whole house but we like laying next to each other.  Dad loves to watch us rest and play.

These Two Collies Are Good Friends 

Dad's gray mood comes from the fact Essex crossed the bridge exactly two years ago today.  Essex could read Dad's mind the best of all the collies that adopted him.  There was absolutely no doubt he was her hooman.  When he looks at Gemini, he sees her.  Then of course Essex's brother Buddy is in her blood line.  Having the two of us around limit the gray days to only a couple days a year.

Deacon & Essex Were Good Chums

Sherman & Essex Got Along Too

We will take care of Dad.  Gemini is barking at him right now telling him she needs to go outside.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Lazy Saturday

Today has been a lazy day.  Gemini woke Dad up extra early.  Then time just slipped away, except for our time at the dog park.  It was only us and Boomer the boxer.  Dad was tired, probably from watching the news coming out of France late yesterday, Friday the 13th.  All of the families are in our prayers.

Gemini & Duck

Sherman and Gemini get along fine.  Dad will frequently laugh while we play.  It is good to see him smile.  Gemini is getting bigger and Dad got her a toy duck.  She enjoys playing with the duck.  .

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Pawtographs - Fall 2015

Gemini keeps growing and we have gotten behind on posting pawtographs.  The collies pal Red is back in town.  He sure is a lot grayer than Sherman remembers him.  Red will tell us stories about Essex and Deacon when we slow down, which isn't very often.

Gemini hasn't picked up on fence patrol, which is okay with Dad.  Watching her bounce on Sherman makes all the hoomans laugh.  Friday we went to the vet and Gemini weighed 28 lb, she has more than doubled in weight.  Well enjoy the pawtographs.

14 OCT - Sherman & Gemini Together at Home 

22 OCT - Red Taking It Easy at Angel Paws 

22 OCT - Gemini Looking Pretty by the Water Bowl

31 OCT - Thinking of a Little Collieween Mischief

31 OCT - Howling for Collieween 

3 NOV - Gemini & Sky Rest

6 NOV - Gemini & Sherman at Home, She Has Grown 

6 NOV - Collie Wars at Home 

8 NOV - Gemini Loves to Put Her Front Paws on the Bench

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Happy Collieween - 2015

We hope everyone had a pawsome Collieween.  That isn't us below, but we love the pawtograph.

Our Favorite Collieween Pawtograph

Gemini continues to amaze Dad.  She went out with him for awhile during Collieween to meet all the little hoomans trick or treating!  She was calm.  She sat down by Dad, sniffed some of the little hoomans.  No jumping, no barking.  Dad was proud.  That is no small thing as Dad went through sixteen bags of candy.

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Wilma - Ten Years Later

"Sherman, I heard Dad talking about Wilma, who is Wilma."

"Gemini, my dear girl, Wilma is not a who, Wilma is a what.  Dad is talking about Hurricane Wilma and how it turned his world upside down.  Essex told me about the impacts of Wilma and her efforts to keep Dad sane."

"What did Wilma do, Sherman?"

"Wilma brought a lot of flood waters to Key West on 24 October.  We were luck in that our house took only four inches inside.  It was enough to make Dad throw away his geology books, some baseball cards and furniture away.  The house used to have wall to wall carpeting, the storm surge water took care of that.  Dad spent a lot of time cutting carpet and throwing it away.  All the houses in Key West had mounds of trash in front of them."  

"How did Essex keep Dad sane?  That seems like a really big job for a collie."

"Sweet Gemini, she kept him sane by making him do every day things.  The daily walks, playing, feeding and the fact she stayed by his bed for several weeks after they returned home all played a part.  Having to do daily things gave their lives a sense of normalcy.  This was really important for Dad"  

"Bowsers, I am proud of Essex.  She sure helped Dad out a lot."

"Yes, she did and we do the same thing for him.  We introduce him to new people.  We make hard days easier on him. Gemini there are a couple post about Hurricane Wilma in our blog.  It impacted how Dad looks at a lot of things.  Two of the links are below." 

 - Wilma plus two

 - Wilma plus five

Dad comes over and hugs both of us.  We love him back and he smiles.  All is well in our world.  Dad knows if another Wilma ever visits us, that we will keep him sane.

Dog Speed,

Sherman and Gemini

Missing Essex

Dog Dad has been in a wistful mood today.  We tried to cheer him up, but it is hard today.  He is thinking of Essex.  Today is her barkday and she would have turned 12.  It is hard to believe it has almost been two years since she crossed the bridge.  She came into Dad's life at a time Dad really needed her.  She taught him so much, introduced him to so many people.  Essex had a friendly but reserved personality, just like Dog Dad.

Essex With a Coconut - 2004

Essex Sleeping - 2004

Essex Being Silly in Her Crate

Essex was an extremely smart and focused collie.  She love fence patrol but most of all she loved Dog Dad. Dad misses her soft collie kisses, caring nudges and calm gentle ways. We believe both Essex and Deacon watch over our pack, because mostly good things happen to us. 

A New Chapter - Gemini & Sherman 2015

Dad smiled just know, he told there is a bright side now.  Once more a tri-color female is in our midst.  Gemini is a smart, spunky, out going lass, and is such a good girl.  Dad believes the spirit of Essex helped Gemini choose our pack.  Don't worry, Dad will be fine tomorrow.  If he is a little blue tomorrow, we will remind him that Essex would want him to be happy.  He will know that is the truth and give us both a big hug.  

Dog Speed,

Sherman and Gemini