2010 January - To Aire is Divine

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January31st

Touring NE Portland

Posted in: Airedale Fun, Portland

Chores to be done… nose to the grindstone (or to the sidewalk, as it were). Time to walk our butts off and head over to the east side. It’s always such a choice because there are so many bridges here in Portland. Today we’ll be heading to NE Portland, so off onto the Broadway Bridge it is…

I do occasionally look over the side to see what’s going on below me. I’m not technically afraid of heights, but lets just say that I don’t get too close.

Notice the shadows. A few more of those occasional moments of sunshine today!

I spotted this on the other side of the bridge. Is it a map of the area? A treasure map of pirates booty?

Nope – the only booty around here is mine, apparently!

Look – it’s Stonehenge (on top of Woodhenge, apparently)

Whenever we walk up NE Broadway, I force mama to cross the street so we can go to this store. I love to sniff EVERYTHING here, and they always bust out the good treats.

Ok, I ask you – HOW COOL IS THIS:

Yes, it is a tiger-shaped scratching post made of corrugated cardboard. My kitties would LOVE this. Year of the Tiger is coming up and this would look FABULOUS in our place. And yet – the kitties would destroy this almost immediately, it wouldn’t have the chance to look super cool for super long.

Oh well – I know another pine cone spot (yes, I know ALL of the pine cone spots in Portland):

Mama throws them…

And I catch them!

Notice the advanced techniques:

Lots of twisty-turn-y action:

And some major power vaulting:

And of course, since we were in the area (yet again), I lead mama to Laurelhurst Park. She thinks she’ll get to sit for a bit, but I always have other ideas.

And today we had the biggest surprise – this fine Aireboy is named Silas, and not only is he incredibly handsome he is also incredibly big – he is 100 pounds! I’m only about 65, and I felt so small next to him…

He has all of the Aire traits and extra personality to go with his extra-ness…

And the biggest, juiciest schnoz I’ve ever seen. A gigantic black button.

Silas I loved meeting you and hope to see you again – this was the only time in my life that I felt like a WELSH TERRIER

Mama you can go and just leave me here. This is what my idea of heaven is:

Juicy cones. Mine Mine Mine.

So today started out as a simple have-a-few-chores-to-do kind of day, yet turned into another one of those 5 hour marathon walkie days. We were almost home and I needed a little time to catch my breath and relax the paws. You might find a nice little cafe, or a bench perhaps, but I thought this was the bees knees:

A big patch of ivy. It cradled me in it’s ever-so-slightly prickly bosom.

And whenever someone would walk past, I’d make this face:

After a few minutes of relaxation, I realized that I was disappearing into the ivy. I guess it’s time to finish up the walk home and collapse there on my tiger blankie.

Love,

Bogart

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January30th

Semi Sunny Saturday

Posted in: Airedale Fun, Portland

While everyday it threatens to rain at least a little bit, we do have those days where it threatens to be sunny for a little bit.

It’s funny how few people are out on the streets on these semi-rain-y days. It’s like they all don’t have semi-waterproof coats like I do. And they decide to stay inside. More room on the street for me!

Oh, how I wanted to climb into this large machine and ride it triumphantly down the street, ears flapping in the slightly rainy breeze. Alas I could not find the keys and mama said no hot-wiring, so we walked on.

Ah, Couch Park. One of my favorite cone-hunting spots. Except for this time of year. It’s now a mostly-cone-free place. Is it because of all of the rain? Maybe. Is it just not pine cone time? Oh come on. It’s ALWAYS pine cone time!

None up top, none on the ground. So strange.

I may have to make do with a tasty stick since there are no cones. I WILL find a cone next time.

Love,

Bogart

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January28th

The Gruesome Twosome

Posted in: Airedale Fun, Portland

Me and mama – The Gruesome Twosome:

Do we always get the perfect shot the first time? Well…. nope. In fact, we don’t even get the perfect shot the 25th time. There are some challenges inherent in taking a photo by holding the camera away from you, posing, and then hoping against hope that you are both in frame. Especially when one of us is an AIREDALE…

Sometimes with a little bribery (like a juicy stick) we may be looking in close to the same direction…

And sometimes funny angles can yield great results…

But then your mama will want to get in the act (she thinks she’s such a comedian sometimes)…

I still love her more than anything, no matter what. Best buddies in the world…

But I do want that stick. All to myself, please.

Just keep shooting mama, you never know when I will do something adorable…

Or something outrageous…

Or you will capture a perfect moment (where I give you a razzberry).

The point is, WE ARE A TEAM, and neither one of us could do any of this without the other.

Although sometimes I think I do the lion’s share of the work…

And drag her along behind me…

She’s not only my mama, but my BESTEST FRIEND and, well, without those opposable thumbs this blog would be far less interesting.

Love,

Bogart

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January27th

The Big Shiny Yellow Thing in the Sky

Posted in: Airedale Fun, Portland

THE SUN IS OUT! THE SUN IS OUT!

OMG, I can see my shadow you guys! And when it’s sunny outside, more doggies get to go out for longer walkies, which naturally means MORE PEE MAIL

Hehehe

It also makes it much easier to pick up tasty sticks.

And speak of other doggies… it’s Woody!

Woody is a great pal – he and I run around in circles in full terrier mode.

I even let him get in a sniff or two from time to time. I’m not usually that generous. But Woody is a pal…

Lovin’ the sun and the company… lets spend your ENTIRE lunch hour here, ok mama?

Love,

Bogart

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January25th

East Side, West Side, All Around the Town

Posted in: Airedale Fun

What to do with mama’s day off? WALK OF COURSE…

The day started off kind of grey – as is the usual here in Portland – but then it got SUNNY. And I was wearing my raincoat. How may I convince you mama that the raincoat should come off?

Almost worked. She still wasn’t convinced that it wouldn’t start raining again as soon as she removed it. At least I got a promise that as soon as we got to the Hollywood district, if it was still sunny, that I could take it off. O-k…

First things first. Chores. Not my favorite thing. Especially as I usually have to wait outside:

Just me, waiting for mama, and hypnotizing everyone else going in or out of Comcast. Just another day for me…

But then, just as I’d felt a yearning to breathe free…

Yes folks, it’s the Statue of Liberty. The MALE Statue of Liberty. Advertising a tax preparing service. On a major street. In the middle of a Monday. IN PORTLAND. I need a drink..

And a nice frosty cup full at Panera will do nicely.

Ah, refreshing.

Not so interested in your sandwich today mama. I have another idea…

Now, hear me out. We’ve already walked for almost 2 hours and we’re at least that far away from home. So… since we never get over to the east side these days, I was thinking that a trip to the PARK might be in order.

I’ll be GOOD

Woo-hoo! Off to Laurelhurst Park. Everything is so GREEN here…

And SMELLS so GOOD

I’ve missed my old stomping grounds, Laurelhurst Park is really lovely and I remember us all walking here a lot.

Funny trees, off-leash area (that I am NEVER allowed to go into… blame it on my lack of recall skills), variety of both sticks and cones.

Since we were already heading southward, why not visit Hawthorne Blvd, and all of its assorted revelries?

Not much happening here for a Monday afternoon.

So lets look at some of the local statuary, shall we?

Yes, they build things a little differently here in Portland…

Alas, it is not night time and the Potato Champion is closed. No fries this time…

So you say you like to grill… and want to be the coolest grillmaster on your block. THEN YOU NEED ONE OF THESE:

We considered a stop at the Lucky Lab for a tasty beverage, but as it was starting to rain a bit harder (and I didn’t want mama to put my raincoat back on) we soldiered on.

Was it a long day? Yes. About 4.5 hours of walking. Was it great to spend my day with mama? You betcha.

Love,

Bogart

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January23rd

Saturday Night Fever

Posted in: Airedale Fun

Another Saturday night and I ain’t got nobody…

I just got mama and she didn’t get paid…

Oh how I wish I had someone to talk to…

I’m in an awful LAUNDRY ROOM

Those fluorescent lights are pretty darned harsh, even on my handsome Dale-ness.

So mama, this is where you disappear to with that big bag and that roll of quarters every weekend, huh?

I am not a huge fan of the clanking sounds, nor the movement of the machines. I realize that they are just doing their job, but really… you guys could do better.

I really just don’t trust that dryer.

You know what mama? I don’t think I will beg you to come downstairs again to do laundry. I love to go with you EVERYWHERE, but I think this is one place where you just don’t need my help. But every other place in the world is still ok… ok?

We REALLY know how to party, eh?

Love,

Bogart

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January21st

Squirrel Appreciation Day

Posted in: Airedale Fun, Portland

Apparently today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. I also appreciate squirrels. Not perhaps in the way that the appreciation people would like, but in my own way.

I am happy to wait for squirrels, in anticipation of appreciating them.

Here I am leaving the squirrels a little appreciative note, to let them know I’ve been here, and that I’LL BE BACK

See? APPRECIATION. And of course ANTICIPATION – which if there were any squirrels about would be absolutely directed toward them, but since there are none to be found (they must all be out celebrating and getting drunk, dancing in trees, etc.)…

Yes, I will take that lovely stick please.

Not going to give it to me? No worries – I shall find my own. And not just one measly stick, mind you…

Oh wait… you’re gonna throw that one that I previously disparaged? BRING IT ON!!!

So squirrels, take today and know that us dogs everywhere APPRECIATE YOU. Of course if we catch you we might eat you, but know that we would APPRECIATE that.

Love,

Bogart

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January20th

You Dig?

Posted in: Airedale Fun

Generations of terriers before me have shown just what they were bred for… today it was my turn.

While mama does let me indulge from time to time, sometimes I get really into it…

No tiny hole shall satisfy me – no! – it must be something worthy of the King of Terriers…

My technique involves turning around and around so that the hole is nice and rounded – if you only dig from one angle, your hole will be less than perfect.

Don’t forget to take time to smell the newly-unearthed dirt. You never know what goodness you might find there…

Love,

Bogart

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January15th

Go Kermit Go!

Posted in: Airedale Fun, Portland

My buddy Kermit is home from the hospital… but still isn’t feeling so great. I understand – every time I get home from the hospital I feel like crap too. Not hungry, kind of tired, happy to be home but basically just wanting to be left alone. He was happy to see his pals Jupie and Hazel and the kitties, but on the tired side. The doctors don’t know what’s wrong – hopefully he will be up and running around soon!

Hey Kermit! I’ve been saving lots of sticks, I’d be happy to send some your way to make you smile.

I mean, I’m actually at the point where I feel like I have some extra ones (mama says that we need to have a fireplace with all of the sticks I bring home) and if they would bring a smile to your face, well, I’d be happy to help.

We could have a chat in my office in your backyard Kermit, you know I’d be happy to see you (yeah, I’d probably try to hump you again, getting your back kind of wet, but you would miss it if I didn’t…) and we could share a nice, juicy stick. Just say the word!

Thinking of you my friend… GET BETTER SOON!!! And a BIG AIRE KISS to my Mareike!!!

Love,

Bogart

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January13th

Keep the Kermit Zen Koming!

Posted in: Airedale Fun

My pal Kermit is still in the hospital, but his fever is coming down – a VERY GOOD sign!

I know that he can feel the love coming his way from all over the world – THANK YOU to everyone – keep sending him love!!!

Love,

Bogart

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