Key West Collies

2025 in Review

2026-01-01T21:28:00.000-05:00

2025 was a quiet at the dog park, but busy at home and around the world.

Gemini & Normandy

- - - - - - - - -

1 January - Fourteen die in pickup truck attack in New Orleans, Louisiana.

7 January - Tibet 7.1 earthquake kills over 120 people.

7-31 January - Southern California wildfires.

16 January - Bob Uecker crosses the rainbow bridge. Dad remembers him playing for the St. Louis Cardinals and acting in the movie Major League.

29 January - Black Hawk helicopter collision with American Airlines jet - Washington D.C. Dad has been at that airport numerous times many dog moons ago.

11 February - Monty is the first Giant Schnauzer named best in show at Annual Westminster Dog Show.

18 February - Actor, Gene Hackman crosses the rainbow bridge.

24 February - Singer, Roberta Flack crosses the rainbow bridge.

27 February - Boris Spassky crosses the rainbow bridge. Dad followed his 1972 chess match with Bobby Fischer.

21 March - Boxer and TV pitchman, George Foreman crosses the rainbow bridge.

28 March - Over 5,000 hoomans cross the rainbow bridge after 7.7-magnitude Myanmar earthquake.

15 April - Buford, a Great Pyrenees/Anatolian mix rescues two-year old child.

21 April - Pope Francis crosses the rainbow bridge.

30 May - Loretta Swit crosses the rainbow bridge. Dad remembers her from the TV series M*A*S*H.

07 June - Terry Gregory crosses the rainbow bridge. Terry was a very good friend of Dad. They met when Dad worked in the oil patch in Oklahoma. We heard Dad on the phone with him many times. Dad misses him greatly.

30 June - Dad finds out he has type 2 diabetes.

4 July – Deadly flooding of Guadalupe River kills over 130 hoomans in Texas.

Kerrville, Texas

23 July - Ozzy Osbourne, heavy metal rockstar crosses the rainbow bridge.

24 July - Hulk Hogan - wrestler and actor in Rocky III crosses the rainbow bridge.

28 July - Ryne Sandberg, baseball player crosses the rainbow bridge.

4 August - Loni Anderson of WKRP fame crosses the rainbow bridge.

7 August - Jim Lovell, astronaut and commander of Apollo 13, crosees the rainbow bridge.

17 September - Robert Redford, actor crossing the rainbow bridge. Dad loved his movies. His favorite by far was "The Natural."

October 1 – The US federal government shuts down. It reopens 43 days later and is the longest shut down in history.

23 October - June Lockhart played a mom in 'Lassie' and ‘Lost in Space' crosses the rainbow bridge.

June Lockhart and Lassie

28 October - Hurricane Melissa makes landfall over Jamaica.

9 November - Long Island, NY - Chase, a 12 lb mini Golden Doodle wakes up his sleeping family to alert them of housefire. Saving his family and himself.

12 November - The last US penny is minted in Philadelphia.

26 November - Over 150 hoomans die in Hong Kong fire.

3 December, - Nicholas Bunting the son of our good friend Ed Bunting crosses the rainbow bridge. Ed stayed with us several times when he visited Key West. The entire Bunting family is in our thoughts and prayers.

14 December - Actor and producer Rob Reiner crosses the rainbow bridge. Dad remembers watching him on TV growing up.

24 December - Wiley, a rescue dog, rescues his hooman family by waking them up when their RV caught fire in Florida.

= = = = = = = = = = =

2025 was a busy year. Now we start the year of the Snake. Hopefully everypaw will have a safe and pawsome year.

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

Dad Has Been Busy

2025-10-13T22:06:00.004-04:00

We've been meaning to post, but Dad has been busy.

Just after our last post Dad found out he was diabetic. He found out when he went to get his foot checked out. He had cut the bottom and he decided he better get a doctor to look at it. They gave him some medication and antibiotics. The cut is still healing, and he is seeing a lot of the foot doctor.

He got new shoes and the gave him new insoles. Dad is slowly coming around. He still walks us, but he normally bandages his one foot up.

For about a month we couldn't go to Angel Paws. For about two weeks Dad let us room the back yard. For another two weeks we got short walks. Now things are more routine.

We are doing well. Today we did our best to not let him get wistful. Today is Essex's Barkday. He thinks of her and we do our best to keep his mind on other things.

We'll post more later.

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

Gemini is 10

2025-06-29T19:55:00.001-04:00

Bowsers, where does time go. Gemini turned 10 on Friday. It seems like yesterday that I traveled North to pick up Gemini with Sherman. She was and still is a smart girl. . We of course went to Angel Paws, but no paw was around. Sigh.

So we just enjoyed wandering around Angel Paws. Here are some pawtographs of us.

Gemini

Normandy

Dog Speed

Gemini & Normandy

Normandy Turns Five

2025-05-11T21:18:00.003-04:00

Normandy woke up this morning to Dad singing him Happy Barkday. It is hard to believe Normandy is five years old. That during that time we were up to our knees with Covid.

Normandy & Gemini Waiting at the Gate

We got plenty of Dog treats, a long walk and of course Angel Paws. Norm got a ball. He has one he got from our pal Ruby a couple weeks ago. He likes this ball and will carry it around.

Norm's Green Ball

Later in the day it was time for Angel Paws. We were supposed to get rain, but we think Essex, Deacon and Sherman all put in good words to the Great Dane to hold off on the rain. The pups enjoyed the park. Below are pawtographs of our pals.

Daisy & Ruby

Sophie

Lucas & Sophie

More Lucas & Sophie

Gemini Takes a Water Break

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

2024 in Review

2025-01-01T21:25:00.002-05:00

2024 had the collies watching three herricanes closely. Our pal Chucho moved to a new place and we have some new friends at Angel Paws. Neither of us enjoyed the fireworks that went off the last two nights.

Gemini & Normandy

- - - - - - - - -

5 January - Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 door plug blows out.

2 February - Carl Weathers crosses the rainbow bridge. Dad enjoyed Carl Weathers acting in the Rocky movies, Predator and Happy Gilmore.

5 February - Toby Keith crosses the rainbow bridge.

14 February - Kansas City Super Bowl Parade shooting.

26 March - Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses after being struck by the container ship Dali.

8 April - Total Solar Eclipse

Total Eclipse Pawtragraph - Cleaveland Ohio

10 April - O.J. Simpson crosses the rainbow bridge. Dad was a big Buffalo Bills fan growing up. He remembers OJ's Buffalo Bills days well.

20 May - Gemini tears some skin in her mouth.

27 May - Bill Walton crosses the rainbow bridge.

2 June - Oregon man accidently drives off road crashing into ravine. His dog, Blue, saves him by running four miles to find help.

18 June - Willie Mays crosses the rainbow bridge.

20 June - Donald Sutherland crosses the rainbow bridge. Dad remembers him from Mash, Dirty Dozen and Hunger Games.

7 July - Shelley Duvall crosses the rainbow bridge.

12 July - Dr Ruth crosses the rainbow bridge.

13 July - Shannen Doherty crosses the rainbow bridge. Starred in Beverly Hills, 90210, Charmed, and the movie Heathers.

- Richard Simmons crosses the rainbow bridge. Remembered for being a fitness instructor. Sweaten' to the Oldies.

18 July - Bob Newhart crosses the rainbow bridge. A classic comedian.

30 July - Four collies, Ferguson and Rigsbee say hello to us. Dad though he was seeing double.

Seeing Double - Four Collies

4 August - Herricane Debby

18 August - Phil Donahue crosses the rainbow bridge. Talk show host that Dad watched quite a bit when he lived in Ohio.

28 August - Our Moon Dance Huskies, cyber paw pal, crosses the rainbow bridge.

Lilly

28 August - Decoy Ohtani, Shohei Ohtani dog, throws out first pitch at Dodger Stadium.

4 September - Our pal Chucho leaves Key West. Makes special cookies fur us.

9 September - James Earl Jones crosses the rainbow bridge. A pawtastic actor. Starred in Dr. Strangelove, Field of Dreams, Hunt for Red October, Conan the Barbarian and of course the voice of Darth Vader.

15 September - Trump assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.

25-27 September - Hurricane Helene passes west of Key West. Our pal Chucho and his Dog Mom survive as their camper was swept up.

Chucho In His New Camper

27 September - Maggie Smith (Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies) crosses the rainbow bridge.

28 September - Kris Kristofferson, actor and singer, crosses the rainbow bridge.

30 September - Pete Rose, Charlie Hustle, baseball player for the Reds and Phillies, crosses the rainbow bridge.

Pete Rose

30 September - Dikembe Mutombo, famous basketball player, crosses the rainbow bridge.

9-10 October - Hurricane Milton passes north of Key West, Port of Key West closed.

22 October - Fernando Valenzuela crosses the rainbow bridge.

29 October - Teri Garr - Young Frankenstein, Tootsie and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

6 November - Trump Wins Election

7 November - College Game Day Golden Retriever, Ben Herbstreit crosses rainbow bridge.

26 November - Norm gets in a scuffle with another pup at Angel Paws. Gimpy fur two days.

27 November - Albert Wayne Prince crosses rainbow bridge. Wayne was a very good friend of Dads. They first met when Dad worked in the oil patch in Oklahoma. We heard Wayne talk with Dad on the phone at times.

Dad's Oklahoma Pal Wayne

8 December - Damascus falls and President Bashar al-Assad flees Syria.

20-29 December - Copper stays with us while his hoomans are out of town.

Cooper

27 December - Greg Gumbel crosses rainbow bridge. Famous sports caster.

29 December - Jimmy Carter crosses rainbow bridge.

31 December - Puerto Rico power outage. Most of Puerto Rico power grid goes down on Christmas Eve.

= = = = = = = =

Quite a bit happened in 2024. Now we are starting the year of the Dragon. Hopefully everypaw will have a pawtastic year.

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

Remember New Years Eve 2003

2024-12-31T21:05:00.002-05:00

31 December always brings back memories fur Dad. 21 years ago Dad traveled up north near Ft. Lauderdale and his first Holmhaven Collie, Essex, came to live with him. Essex took care of Dad, and he loves telling us about her.

Essex

He remembers Essex on the ride back to Key West. Her whispering during crate training. Dad was a proud pawther.

We are chatting with some pups in a chat room right now. Sure, enjoy catching up with the other pups.

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

30 December 2024

2024-12-30T22:17:00.003-05:00

Bowsers, it is almost a new year. Thanksgiving had a little bit of excitement. Normandy and another pup had a quick scuffle. Normandy gimped for a day as he sprained one of his back legs. By Saturday he was back to his normal self. The entire pack was thankful about that. Below are a couple of pawtographs of us at Angel Paws.

Our Dad's friend's dog Copper stayed with us from 20-29 December. Copper is still convinced Dad is the God of Thunder, so he is scared of Dad and won't come out of his kennel. So, Copper spent a lot of time outside in the patio. He isn't as nervous around Dad as before, but he is still afraid of the Thunder God.

Copper

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

A Busy Herricane Season

2024-12-28T22:48:00.004-05:00

We have finally got on Dad's case and wanted to talk about the 2024 Herricane season. It felt pretty busy to us. Fortunately, three Herricanes only bushed by the Keys. We had some wind and some light rain. We were very happy the three bushed us. Early August Herricane Debby passed to the west of us. Next was Herricane Helene which passed to the west in late September. Helene only gave us some windy weather and a little rain. We found out later that our good pal Chucho and his hoomans had a big adventure. They were in North Carolina. well, the rains came down. Chucho and his dog Mom were in the camper when the river went over its banks and the camper was floating in the water. The Great Dane must have been watching over them because both of them managed to get back to land. The camper they were living in was a lost cause. A person they met helped them out. We are happy to report Chucho's pack has a new camper to live.

Chucho chilling out in the new camper

Herricane Milton was the last one for 2024. In early October, Herricane Milton passed to the north of us. We are glad herricane season is over. Most of all we are happy Chucho and his pack made it through Helene and are doing okay.

Dog Speed,

Gemini and Normandy

Merry Essexmas

2024-12-25T21:12:00.004-05:00

Merry Essexmas to everypaw.

Bowser, we took a look and noted we haven't posted in quite a while.

Our Essexmas went well, and hope it was the same for all of you.

We will have Dad post some next week, as he is on vacation next week. The three Herricanes we kind to us. Norm had an incident at Angel Paws on Thanksgiving Day.

Dad is trying to get organized around the house but is more interested in sleeping than cleaning. We promise to post this weekend.

Dog Speed,

Gemini, Normandy and Dog Dad

Gemini - Nine Year Barkaversay

2024-09-04T21:07:00.000-04:00

Just like Dad say, today was my special day. It was my nine year barlaversary. Nine years ago, Dad and Uncle Sherman picked me up and brought me to Key West. Dad sang Happy Barkaversary to me and we got extra treats in the morning and fur supper. We both had to lick Dad's face.

Dad talked about picking me up from Holmhaven, the drive to our home in Key West and how much Uncle Sherman loved me. I thought of those early days as Dad gave me a hug. Uncle Sherman taught me so much. He kept a watchful eye on me. It is pawtastic to live in a home where you are loved.

Sherman & Gemini at Holmhaven on her Gotcha Day

In the Collie-mobile Heading to Key West

Gemini's First Meal at Home

Dog Speed,

Gemini

Cookies & Locks

2024-09-02T21:51:00.002-04:00

We hope everypaw is doing well. Things are going fine here. Our good pal Chucho is going to leave Key West on Wednesday. We will miss him. His Dog Parents made Dad some cookies to eat. We loved the creative artwork, that reminds us of Chucho.

The second item is the gate lock. Dad is checking it because it is just being looped on the fence. Dad makes sure it connects better and is not loose. He doesn't want making a mad dash. Hope they find the key and start locking it again.

Dad intends to post again on Wednesday, because it is a special day. Wonder what is special and if we will get extra treats!

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

Seeing Double

2024-07-31T21:40:00.000-04:00

Bowsers cyberpaw pals, Dad thought he was seeing double. This is a pawtograph of us and two collies that live near us. We catch them every now and then when they go for their walk. We had just gotten back from visiting Angel Paws when we saw Ferguson and Rigsbee. Boy, were they excited to see us. As you can tell the two boys are bigger than us. Our hoomans talked a little. Dad found out that their Mom lived with a Holmhaven collie that crossed the bridge more than a decade ago. She said we looked like that pup.

Back on 20 May Gemini tore some skin around ger front tooth. Dad thinks the round thing that held Normandy's dog tags was the culprit. Norm had gotten it stuck on something awhile back and it got bent out of shape. He figures while they were playing the skin in the mouth was torn. Gem wasn't in pain and it wasn't bleeding much. Dad decided to visit our Vet and get some anti-biotics. He didn't want an infection to set in. Gemini is doing fine.

You can see the torn skin near the bottom front.

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

Gemini Is Nine

2024-06-27T22:33:00.001-04:00

I woke up this morning with Dad singing happy barkday to me. He told me that I am nine years. Bowsers, that is hard to believe. It seems like yesterday that I was born. Dad went to work, but we went to our favorite place when Dad got back home. Angel Paws have been a place of many a good time. Below are two pawtographs from Angel Paws. You can see Normandy in the background in one of them.

Dog Speed

Gemini (The Barkday Girl)

Normandy Turns Four

2024-05-11T21:22:00.004-04:00

"Creeeeeeek." Boy, this place sure is dusty. We keep meaning to post, but never seem to get to it. Dad gets busy doing one thing or another.

Waking Up to Dad Singing Happy Barkday

Well, the big news is that Norm turned four today. Me and Dad still remember the rambunctious puppy. We got extra cheese and treats today too. Lots of pets and belly rubs too.

Gem & Norm Resting Side by Side

Dad and Gemini still remember when Norm was born. I was excited at the thought of having another pup around. As you can tell we get along with each other.

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

2023 in Review

2024-01-01T21:57:00.003-05:00

2023 was an interesting year for us. A year of scares and sighs of relief. Dad is still a masker and keeps quoting the Lone Ranger. "Who was that masked man. We spent quite a bit of time at Angel Paws.

- - - - - - - - -

4 January - Dad goes in for surgery for a bump on his neck.

19 January - Test results are good Dad is fine.

3 February - A Train Carry Hazardous Materials Derails in East Palestine, Ohio.

Drone Photo by National Transportation Safety Board

6 February - A 7.8 earthquake sends 59,000+ over the Rainbow Bridge in Turkey and Syria.

14 February - A dog named Hades reunited with his pack after ling with coyotes for six months.

16 February - Tim McCarver crosses the rainbow bridge. Dad loved listening to him talk baseball.

13 March - Joe Pepitone crosses the rainbow bridge. He was one of Dad's favorite players as a kid.

Joe Pepitone

13 April - Jack Teixeira, Massachusetts Air National Guard arrested.

18 May - Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns great, crossing the Rainbow Bridge.

Essex Rooting Fur the Browns

1 June - The start of the Canadian wildfires.

16 June - Chucho's 3rd Barkday

Gemin & Normandy Celebrate

8 August - Maui Wildfire.

14 August - Normandy's nosebleed saga begins.

28 August - Dad and Normandy travel north to Lead ER. Gemini stays with Chucho.

30 August - Dad and Normandy return home.

1 September - Jimmy Buffett crosses the Rainbow Bridge.

6 September - Norm is normal. (no more since return)

26 September - Brooks Robinson crosses the Rainbow Bridge.

Brooks Robinson

3 October - Congressman Kevin McCarthy removed as Speaker.

05 October - President's Dog Commander has left the White House.

7 October - Hamas attacks Israel

1 November - Bob Knight crosses the Rainbow Bridge

29 November - Henry Kissinger crosses the Rainbow Bridge.

Henry Kissinger

11 December - Dad reads about Dog Respiratory Illness.

31 December - Twentieth Barkaversary of Essex's Gotcha Day.

= = = = = =

Quite a bit occurred in 2023. Now we will be starting the year of the Dragon. What eever goes on, we will be with our pack.

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

Today Twenty Years Ago

2023-12-31T14:54:00.000-05:00

Bowser, where has time went. We've been meaning to post, but there has not been much to post about.

Essex Explores Her Yard for the First Time

Dad was telling us about 20 years ago. If you read this blog, you know that Essex came to live with Dad 23 December 2003. He told us how he had called Lil earlier to set up a pickup date. The drive up to Miami and back. Meeting Essex for the first time. How when he was pulling out of Holmhaven how she tried to crawl up his arm to go out the window. He calmed her with his steady soothing voice.

Check To See If Any Pup Lives Next Door

They got out of the car halfway home, so Essex could take a potty break. When the got home, she explored her yard. The tiny pup grew up to be an outstanding collie. As Dad gets misty eyed, he gives us both a hug and prepares for our visit to Angel Paws.

Essex's Holmhaven Puppy Pawtograph

We'll keep Dad company tonight and he'll protect us from the booming fireworks. Hope everypaw has an awesome New Years.

Dog Speed,

Gemini and Normandy

Gemini's Rest of the Story

2023-09-18T22:11:00.001-04:00

Cyber Paw Pals,

I was besides myself when Dad left to take Normandy to LeadER. He decided to have a Chucho's Pawrents watch me. They were going to pick me up later in the day.

Dad put Norm in the car, then let me out of the bedroom. I was beside myself looking for my nephew. I quickly paced around the house. Dad could tell I was upset. He left the house to drive north and could hear me barking. He had made the decision to have me stay with friends because he thought it would be a quicker visit and didn't know he would be staying with my relatives.

I got picked up later in the day. Chucho's pawrents relayed I was upset and pacing around. Spending time with them showed no improvement. They decided to bring me back home the next day, where I was a little more settled.

Gemini Trying To Relax

Dad thinks I was overwhelmed. No Norm, No Dad, strange house and the storm. When they came back home, I was tuckered out. I greeted them, but I was not bouncy.

Dad told me if he had known it was going to be several days and he knew they were going to stay at Holmhaven, I would have come with him. I'm happy life is back to normal.

Dog Speed,

Gemini

August Holmhaven Visit

2023-09-16T21:21:00.002-04:00

I finally got Dad to post the pawtograph from my visit to Holmhaven.

First, I want to let you know that I am doing pawsome. I have not had any nose bleeds since I my testing at LeadER back on 29 August. Between no bleeding and all the tests being negative our pack is extremely happy.

I totally enjoyed Dad and my visit. If we knew it was going to turn out like it did, Gemini would have come with us. She has finally forgiven us both. I enjoyed running with by relatives. Dad enjoyed the visit too. Lil told him we were easy guests. That made us both smile.

Below are pawtographs of my relatives.

Dog Speed,

Normandy

Clancy

Gracie

Martha

Star

Rosie and Nate

Two pawtographs of Pal

Norm Is Normal

2023-09-06T20:51:00.000-04:00

A sigh of relief has come over our pack. Dad got a voice mail from LeadER and talked to the Vet today. The Vet relayed that Norm is normal.

All the biopsies, CAT scan and von Willebrand's factor test were all negative. The Vet reiterated he saw nothing abnormal during the exam and the tests confirm he is fine. He asked if Norm had a nosebleed. We answered the last time he bled was when we left him off for the exam. That was eight days ago. If Norm started bleeding again, we can call the Vet at LeadER. What caused the nosebleed? Is a mystery. We are happy Norm is doing okay. The collies and dad danced for joy.

We will post more soon about our visit to Holmhaven and Gemini's being left with friends in Key West.

Normandy and the Holmhaven Collies

Dog Speed,

Gemini, Normandy and Dog Dad

Dad & Norm Are Back

2023-08-30T21:43:00.003-04:00

Normandy and Dad got back home this afternoon. I didn't get all joyful when I saw them. I just relaxed and was happy they were home.

Nothing really stood out to the vet from the scan or looking up Norm's nose. We will have to wait until the results come in from the lab. Why they need a labrador retriever to tell them what is going on with Norm is beyond me.

We have several things to post about, but that will have to wait until tomorrow.

Dog Speed

Gemini

Nose Bleed

2023-08-28T05:27:00.003-04:00

Normandy and Norm are off to Lead ER in Cooper City today. It all started with Norm having a slight on Tuesday, 14 August. Dad used some peroxide. Wednesday it got worse. We were off to see our vet on Thursday but they were closed. So we saw the emergency vet that are about 40 mins away. They couldn't see the bleed because it was further up the nose. The vet gave me some Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (Clavamox) and EPINEPHrine. Early Saturday Norm bled again. We left home around 1:30 AM to Emergency Vet again. We got some Yunnan Baiyao and more EPHINEPHrine to use as needed.

Things would improve, then take a step backwards. With no great improvement by Monday morning, an appointment at Lead ER was set up. The nosebleeds have lessened significantly since early this week, but Dad is keeping the appointment.

The entire time there has been no change in Norm's appetite, mood or energy. It has just been he gets a nosebleed, then stop it will stop bleeding. The ones on 16 and 17 August were about the size of the palm of my hand. Lead ER can't give a timeline on when Norm will come home until they look at him. Hopefully, we'll be back later today. Norm has a good appetite, spirits and a normal stool. No significant nose bleeds this weekend.

Gemini is doing fine. Expect she will be barking and carrying on when we leave. Some dog park friends will be picking her up later in the day. She will stay with them and their pup.

Dad is keeping an eye on the weather too.

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

We Finally Got After Dad

2023-06-30T22:46:00.003-04:00

We had to really get after Dad to post. It has been many dog moons since our last post. We are doing well. Life is mostly slow at the dog park.

Here are some pawtographs from Chucho's Barkday way back on 16 June. There were some treats and a cake we could eat. As you can tell Chucho turned 3. We had a fun time at the Barkday Party.

Chucho's Mom Gives Gemini Some Cake

Gemini & Sherman Ask Chucho's Mom For Cake

Dad has been meaning to post, but things keep coming up. Dad told us he has to get the house straightened up. Having failed over the last several month, he is going to try an old strategy. He is going to listen to episodes of Johnny Dollar and get after things. Johnny Dollar is an old radio show from the 1950s. Dad knows he can get things done listening to the show. It isn't as distracting as the TV or as boring with nothing on. We'll let you know if Dad got anything done.

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

Remember 15 April 1898

2023-02-15T19:30:00.000-05:00

Earlier today we followed Dad into to the WABAC machine. Once again it was set to the year 1898, location Havana, Cuba. We get out and sniff around the area. Suddenly at 9:40 PM we hear a loud explosion. We run over by Dad and hide behind his legs.

We bark out "What made that loud thunder Dad?"

Dad replies, "You remember a couple weeks ago we were in Key West to watch the USS Maine leave Key West?"

We nod our heads yes.

"The USS Maine just exploded. Of the 355 members of the USS Maines crew, 261 crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Six days later, the US went to war with Spain." We couldn't find any reports of a dog being aboard the ship, but there could have been one.

The Wreckage of the Maine in Havana Harbour

That event changed a lot of things in USA. We had territories half-way around the world and would become more involved in global events. We join Dad in a silent prayer at Angel Paws. After today we too will "Remember the Maine."

USS Maine Memorial in Key West Cemetary

Dog Speed,

Gemini and Normandy

24 January 1898

2023-01-24T20:00:00.001-05:00

There is a creaking noise in the house. Gemini's tail starts to wag. We ramble over to a big door and see Dad turning some dials. I bump Gemini and give her a quizzical look. Gemini barks out "It’s the WABAC machine Norm!"

Gem explains the collies would join Dad and go back in time using the WABAC machine. I listen as Gem woofs about previous WABAC adventures. Dad turns the dials to 24 January 1898, location Key West.

We arrive in Key West. There are no cars and people dress funny. We see lots of horses and hoomans walking. Dad says “Today the wheels of history start to turn. Several weeks from now, the trajectory of US history will change furever. The US will start to get more involved in world politics. In a several weeks we will use the WABAC machine again to witness the event that starts that avalanche and begin that change.”

The USS MAINE - 1898 - Library of Congress

We watch a ship start to slowly leave port, belching smoke into the air as it moved. We read the name the “Maine.” Dad looks at us and states, “The Maine is heading to Cuba. Captain Charles D. Sigsbee is the commander. The Maine will arrive in Havana the next day, 15 January, around 10 AM. In a several weeks, we get in the WABAC and go to Havana Harbor. We will watch, listen and we too will remember the Maine.”

USS MAINE Entering Havana Harbor - 15 JAN 1898

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy

Lipoma

2023-01-19T20:05:00.004-05:00

Well Dad got the news from the Doctor. He has lipoma. Lipoma is a benign tumor of fat, formed between the skin and the underlying muscle. We all exhaled after Dad got the results. To celebrate Dad took us to Angel Paws on time.

Norm & Gem Chilling Out

After receiving the good news, we chilled for a short time before Dad took us to Angel Paws to celebrate. Now Dad is off to the next project. Appreciate everypaw thinking of Dad and praying fur him. We love our Dad.

Dog Speed,

Gemini & Normandy