Watching Over Dad

The four days after Essexmas, Dad was in bed sick.  It is all Gemini's fault as she barked his ear off after eating the oplatek wafer.  Though she blames me for talking to much to him.  Either way we watched over him those four days

We will post more tomorrow..

Dog Speed,

Sherman and Gemini

Essexmas 2016

We wish everypaw a very Merry Essexmas.  Things have been busy at our house this December.

Dad has been busy at work this December.  That threw off his Essexmas backing.  He finished that just in time this year.

Miles and Copper are visiting us once again.  Copper is getting better, but is still scared of Dad.  We keep telling Copper that Dad is no Thor, the Norse God of Thunder, but Copper doesn't believe us.  

We made it to the Dog Park this every day this week.  The last two days we left earlier than usual.  Dad went to his neighbors house yesterday for their big Essexmas Eve dinner.  When Dad got back he gave us some oplatek to eat on Christmas Eve.  Dad youngest sister sent him oplatek in the mail.  In accordance to the ancient legend, we woke up Dad and had a conversation with him at midnight.  We told him how happy we wore.  We talked about Essex and Deacon.  Dad gave us a big hug after our long talk with him..

Oplatek Wafer

Then today we accompanied Dad to his friend Ed's home.  We ate before we left and Dad had a pawsome dinner when he got there.  We met Bailey, their daughters pup.  We played a lot.  Right before we left Dad called us.  Low and behold we were in Ed's neighbors yard.  They had left their back gate open.  We gave Dad a big scare.  

We hope all of you had a pawsome Essexmas.

Sherman and Gemini

A Surprise Visitor

A man stopped his bicycle by Angel Paws, opened the gate and walked in.  Dad looked at the man and called his name.  It was one of his friends, he had not seen in many years.  They talked for about an hour.

When we got home we asked about the man.  Dad told us that he was the man, that Dad stayed with when Essex and him evacuated during Herricane Wilma.  That Essex met another pup named Lucy during their stay.  The man and Dad worked together in North Dakota many Dog Moons before Essex came to live with Dad.  We could see memories flooding back into Dad's mind as he smiled.  Dad was not aware his friend was coming as he hadn't checked his pee-mail in awhile.  We hope to see more of the man and listen to Dad tell stories of times long ago and far, far away.

Lucy Crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2010

There were tall tales about Essex, Hurricane Wilma, times in North Dakota.  Weather so cold that you pee would freeze before it hit the ground.  We will have questions and Dad will have answers.  Most of all there will be smiles and hugs.

Dog Speed,

Sherman and Gemini

A Memorable November

We've been busy in Key West.  Dad just seems to be doing one thing after another and time is flying by.

First came the World Series.  Our beloved Cleveland Indians lost in seven games.  We were all sad, but proud that the team made it so far.  Dad was convinced that the Tribe was going to be out in the first round.  How could a team make a run for the championship with so many injured pitchers.  The collies had faith, even though Dad wavered.  It was fun to watch the games with Dad.  We hope the Tribe will hoist a banner in the near future.

Disappointed but Proud of the Tribe

Next came there was the pawsidential election.  Dad wasn't a fan of either candidate.  When election time rolled around Dad told several people "It is time to vote and then pray for the country."  Either way things are going to be interesting here in the US.  Dad wished that Tosca would have made another Presidential Candidate.  However, the Dog Gone Party Candidate has been silent for may years..

2008 - The Doggone Party 

After that we celebrated Veterans Day.  We spent time at Angel Paws and Dad remembered all the veterans to include his pawther.  Sherman relayed to Gemini all the stories that Essex told him.  We both wish we could have met Dog Dad's pawther and mutter.  They both sounded like terrific people.  

Dad's Pawther 1944

The super moon then visited us on 14 November.  We swear we could hear Skye and the Moondance Huskies howling at the moon here in Key West.

Watching the Super Moon Rise at Angel Paws

The weather has been pawsome this month.  The cool weather has made the Collies extra playful.  The morning walks have been brisk.  The last two days, Dad has worn a light jacket.  

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Collieween 2016

Another exciting Collieween is over.  We only had a short stay at the dog park, then it was off back to our home.  Dad put us in the bedroom, brought in our food bowl and closed the door.  He went through a bunch of bags of candy as there was the normal steady stream of trick-or-treaters.  Dad enjoys talking to the neighbors and seeing all the people.

One lady that stop by asked Dad if he still had his pups. She had a Burmese Mountain Dog and lived just down the road.  Dad remembered the pup and walking by the house all the time with Essex and Deacon.  He replied that he still had collies, but that we lived with him now.  It brought a smile to his face that somepaw remembered the collies and him.

We received a card from the hoomans that first lived with Deacon.  Herricane Matthew just grazed where they lived.  They lost power for several hours and are doing fine.  We found out that Charm now lives with them.  We noticed that Dad was happy when he got that card.  He said that hooman pack were really nice.

Hope you had a pawsome Collieween.

Sherman & Gemini

Relief and Remembering

This week we sent out e-mails, watched blogs and crossed paws as Herricane Matthew went up the Florida coast.  From the Miami- Fort Lauderdale area the news was good.  Gusty winds, very few power outages.  At Holmhaven Collies, where we were born they had gusty winds and a little rain.  When Lil added she had six-week old collie puppies she was bringing in, we all smiled.  Brave Star and Just Harry stated they all were doing well.

Just Harry Reported All is Well in South FLorida

The families of our pals Gandalf, Teddy, Magnum & Samson, and, Shiloh & Dakota all were doing well.  We got some news about their pack and few pawtographs.

Shiloh and Dakota Are Doing Well 

Cousin Teddy is Loving Life

Reilly and Denny - The Cowspot World is Okay 

Annie Loving Life in Jacksonville

Next we heard from Annie in Jacksonville and read the Reilly & Denny's post on the cowspot dog blog.  Annie's Hooman knew Auntie Essex very well.  She was a frequent visitor to Angel Paws and would talk to Dad about all kind of things.  They were both Geology Majors, so they could talk about rocks.  She watched Essex a couple times when Dad had to be out of town.  When the Cowspotdog blog reported that their home did well, we did a happy dance.  We are sending a letter out this weekend, but we are pretty confident that Deacon's first family probably are doing well, because they were further inland than Annie's mom.  

Today would have been Essex's 13th barkday, so Dad spent some time thinking of her and Wilma.  His memories are good memories.  When he thinks of Essex, he will usually smile. Essex saved him in so many ways.  Maybe the spirit of Essex and Deacon herded Matthew away from hoomans so there was less damage.  Just maybe Essex saved Dad one more time.  After thinking of this, we both got a big hug.

Angel Dog Essex - Did She Save Dad Once More?

Dog Speed,

Sherman & Gemini

Safe But Worried About Our Pals

Herricane Matthew missed us, but we are worried about so many of our pals.  We barked very hard trying to weaken and push the storm away from everypaw.  

The weather folks are predicting Herricane Matthew will go up the coast and loop around back toward us.  If that happens the storm is supposed to weaken to tropical depression.  We were happy to read that Reilly and Denny are safe in Georgia.  We are worried about there home, but that they are safe is what counts most.  In the St. Augustine Dad is worried about Vixen's Mom, Carol, that was the first hooman that Angel Collie "Deacon" lived who with; then there is the Mom of Angel Dogs Oreo and Snoopy that Dad spent many a days talking at Angel Paws.  Dad is worried about Lil at Holmhaven, Just Harry's pawrents and Brave Star's Dad in Broward County, Florida.  There are others we are thinking about Magnum & Samson, Gandalf, Karma, Shiloh & Dakota, Howie and their families.  We are hoping every paw is safe.  We have some reaching out to do.

Carol & Angel Collie "Deacon"
2008 - Herricane Ike Evacuation

Dad remembers coming back from Herricane Wilma.  Essex told Deacon how she kept things from over whelming Dad.

October 2005 - Storm Surge Line is Behind Essex

One good note though.  Navy and his pawrents made it to Key West 5 AM on Thursday.  They rolled into to Key West a day before Matthew. 

Dog Speed,

Gemini, Sherman & Dog Dad