Respect.

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

First we had to fortify a bit – so a pit stop at Panera Bread for an indulgent croissant…

That’s right everyone, she’s MY MAMA and we are enjoying a croissant together on our special day.  EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT!

Then it was off to a place I haven’t been in way too long – Mt. Tabor!  The volcano that ISN’T breaking down European air travel.

We brought some snacks, some water, and a blankie but first we had to earn our little picnic by walking around and around all the way up to the top.  I visit the local salad bar on the way.

Ah, it’s so darned pretty out here today.  Green, lush, warm and lovely.

Yes thank you, I will take a little time to relax and watch the world around me.  This is perched at the top of a very long flight of concrete stairs on top of the volcano.  So after you work your butt off, YOU SHOULD RELAX.

But there are PINE CONES up here at the top – so no relaxing just yet!

See?  Pine cone residue.  FUN FUN FUN

They fall from the sky, from the great trees here in the Northwest.

And what other great things can you find on the top of a volcano on a lovely spring day?  AIREDALES!  This is Ollie, and we’ve never met before.

I am VERY envious of his major disco pants (dad’s name for the super-furry paws) as I have never been able to grow lush, substantial ones myself.

He’s a handsome devil, and we had a really great time running around together – catch you again sometime Ollie!

Now… What is this?  Bonus points if you can guess before you scroll down.

I had no idea either, so we went in for closer inspection.

It’s a giant ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLE.  Um, of course.  It is placed on the acupuncture point name Open Water and on the meridan Lung.

I thought it might need a little lubrication after being stuck in one spot for so long.  So I did my part for public art (yet again).

The giant acupuncture needle generates a lot of attention – it’s got to be 25-30 feet tall – lots of people and doggies were stopping to check it out.  From what I saw, no one knew what it was so if you didn’t guess you are in good company.

Snacks aren’t always enough.  We needed lunch.  And I needed a bucket of water.

It’s been a really long time since we’ve been here to the Hawthorne Fish House.  This was one of dad’s favorite Portland places, he was a big fan of their cod fish and chips.  Mama likes the gardenburger, and we all go nuts for the fries.  Luckily there was a spot at an outdoor table, so we settled in for a big treat.

Just like we always used to do, mama “fed” dad some of her fries because he would always finish his first.  So we did a little tribute to you, dad.  You’ll be happy to know that I got to eat all of “dad’s” fries.  And from what I hear the gardenburger was delicious.

Not content to walk in one park when we had a car for a whole day, lets visit another:

This is really one of the best days ever – park after park after park…

We need to have Mother-Son day much more often, I’m thinking like every weekend.  A boy could get used to this.

It was so lovely there were even turtles out catching some sun!

Oh Laurelhurst Park, you never disappoint me.

So here’s some love for ALL of the mother’s out there – human, canine, feline, whatever – give your mama a big extra special Aire Kiss this weekend!!!

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/40324

Happy Veterans Day!

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

There is apparently some new sort of tax that has been imposed on me – wherein I have to give mama a kiss before I get any of the extra-good food from her plate.  But mama, YOU ALWAYS BUY TWO BAGELS and I KNOW you’re not eating them yourself!

Ok, whatever.  JUST GIVE ME SOME BAGEL!

Totally worth it.  Not that I don’t kiss her all day long… it’s just that every once in awhile I guess she needs a special smooch or two.  And really, who am I to deny her some of the Boglemeister?

Mmm… pumpernickel…

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

There they are!

And the horses too!  We had some extra rice left over from a batch of gumbo that dad made… and it had formed into a sort of rice-cake.  So we cut it up into wedges, and…

Both of the horses seemed to enjoy it, as did the nubian goats.

Or did they…?

On the way home, I felt the need for speed.  Yes, I wanted to chase some sticks around.  Come on dad, try me out!!!

Got that one!

Come on, come on, come on, THROW THAT STICK!!!

Ok, you’ve got it in your hand… which way are you going to throw it?  Are you going to make me run uphill – again – or make it easy for me doing a nice downhill run?

I AM FOAMING WITH ANTICIPATION – THROW THAT STICK!!!

YESSSSSSSSSS!!!  First to the left…

Then to the right…

It doesn’t matter which way you throw it, I’M GONNA GET THAT STICK!!!

One more time?

Ohmydog, I am so freaking tired.  Panting like a maniac.  Drooling all over myself.  Uh, I mean, THROW IT AGAIN!!!

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

Unfortunately, mama did not bring along her camera to capture any of the golden moments.  And for that, I’m afraid, she will have to suffer the PAW OF DOOM…

Yes, the mighty PAW OF DOOM is something that must be brought out sparingly as it is very effective.  Notice how this frisbee is NOT GOING ANYWHERE when it comes into close contact with said paw (of doom).

Even as it tries to escape it must know… RESISTANCE IS FUTILE

You will take the PAW OF DOOM and like it!!!

So mama, because of your forgetfulness in not capturing my very first time at the beer-making store, I will give to you the PAW OF DOOM (just let me get these frisbees lined up so that I may perfectly show you THE PAW)

Ok, I think you’ve suffered enough.  Time to move on to the feared CHOMPERS OF DOOM…

You wanna give it a whirl?

Love,

Bogart

Chez Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

Mama and I decided to do something a little different this year – rather than opening all of our Christmas cards as they arrived, we thought it would be fun to open them all during the opening of the presents on Christmas morning – so we could ooh and aah over all of the cool cards that our DWB buddies sent to us from all over the world.

It was hard not to open the cards as they arrived, but mama was good about keeping them all in a nice pile while we waited for the 25th.  And it was totally worth it – we thought about you all as we opened the envelopes and the emails!!!

The kitties could not control themselves, they were totally fascinated with all of the cards.

Orange tabbies in particular seem to have an unhealthy preoccupation with card destruction.  Perhaps we should try to distract them?

This is WIllie – he is the kitty that came to live with us after his mama died.  He’s doing really well and is a part of our furry family now.

Check out this cool toy that I got – he is a rubber pig!!! – and most importantly, he SQUEAKS!!! I think I’m gonna name him Bacon…

Aw, and some good stuff to chomp on.  I was originally far more interested in the package that held these wag’n wraps, and destroyed it promptly.  I do think that Bacon and I will become best friends, however.

Hehehe – the Bogie Stogie

The kitties got something special too – a packet of Feline Greenies!!!  And so, without further ado, I introduce the furry chorus:

Sekhmet, the black Siamese girlie…

Kafka, the orange shorthaired tabby boy…

Behemoth, the grey and white “spotto gato” boy…

Willie, the long haired orange tabby boy…

And Aeon, the brown tabby girl.

Merry Christmas everydog!  Hope you all got LOTS of great presents – BIG AIRE KISSES to all of you and your families!!!

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

The only way to get one is to go in, go deep, and dig in with all you’ve got!!!

Use all of your resources… (i.e., front yard AND back yard)

Instinct takes over… nose down, going to ground…

Paws optional – mostly for style and flair…

Full schnoz!!!

And the result…

Another public service brought to you by Bogart Handsome Devil, trendsetter.

Love,

Bogart

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

BookmAIREk Me!

Ohmydog you guys, this is my first real snow – so even though it’s Sunday, I woke mama up at 7 AM so we could go for a brisk early-morning walkie!  I just KNOW she appreciated this, I could see it in her face (well, just her eyes because the rest of her was completely covered to protect her from the cold)…

Slippery… but COOL

Come on mama, there is no need for a short walkie because of the snow – I’M NOT COLD

The forest is really beautiful during the snow – we haven’t seen another person or dog – so we’re making the first footprints…

So now it’s time to make the ceremonial first footprint in the snow in our backyard.

Then… time to PLAY!!!

A little snow on the button…

PLAY WITH MEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Mama and dad didn’t know exactly what to expect during my first romp in the snow, but I’ve gotta say that I took to it like a champ.  It’s AWESOME and since it’s going to snow all day it looks like we’ll have some for awhile!!!

Love & Snowy Aire Kisses,

Bogart

Chez Bogart

PS – We’ve been having SO MUCH FUN, mama just had to add some new pictures:

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

A quick ride into town – it got awfully dark awfully fast – and we’re HERE!!!  There is going to be music, performances, and then the tree lighting!  Lots of people (makes me a little teensy bit nervous, but ultimately I did ok) and lots of dogs!

Party like a ROCKSTAR

Hey, what happened to my ears?  Yup, I’m particularly fuzzy these days, mama mentioned that there will be some hair removal coming soon to which I say Nay, Not Necessary…

I’ve gotta protect my mama from any evildoers who get too close… I know she appreciates this…

Woo-hoo – the colors, the colors…

There were SO many people, they had projections on the buildings, and the tree was just about to be lit… and we just couldn’t get a good photo of it.  Too many people standing around, and traffic folks trying to keep us all moving.

So what is a dog to do?  That’s right, turn around and HEAD FOR FOOD

Time for a Gyro at the local food carts.  Downtown Portland has some very cool areas where they have collections of food carts in parking lots – so you can get pretty much any kind of food you want in a nice takeout container, all right next to each other.

This was our first time at the falafel and gyro cart.  The man who runs it even makes his own hot sauce (which was YUMMY).  Mama had a hummus sandwich (which was good) and dad had a gyro (which was great)

After so much excitement, this is what the world looked like… I must be having a GOOD TIME…

Happy beginning of the holiday season everyone!

Love,

Bogart

Don’t forget – my contest ends on November 30th – enter today!!!

Chez Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

We have nothing special planned, just some mother/son walkies where I’m sure she will share her infinite wisdom with me. I think she’s the coolest thing going, I’d protect her with everything I’ve got, and I appreciate all of the lovin’ and cuddlin’ she does with me (oh, and that she believes and practices the “all praise” training diet with me)…

Happy Birthday Mama!!!!

Love your fuzzy son,

Bogart

Chez Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

No costume for me this year – I hope that everyone is having a FABULOUS Halloween!!!

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

Boy was it FANTASTIC!  There were so many people, so many dogs, so much food… it was a huge test to see how socialized I can be.

Lots of accordionists… I was intrigued.

I ran into this little terrier dude a few times… he definitely thought he was bigger than he is!  True terrier attitude…

This was a pretty girl I didn’t get to sniff nearly long enough..

The variety of dogs both surprised me and made me really, really happy.  Lots of girls!!!

This lady was spinning yarn – the spinning thing both caught my attention and kinda freaked me out.

Where is the FOOD???

We’d heard they would be having Wiener Dog Races but we never found them… just these two who lok like they could be fierce competitors…

Hey dad it’s a little sunny out here today, kind of warm.  Guess that means we need to seek out a tasty beverage…

More accordions…

She had to have been one of my favorite girlies…

Can you see that we’re both off of the ground, sniffing each other?  Ah, all too brief…

Mama and dad also met some nice people who have 2 Airedales – and one is a girl that they’re looking for a nice boy to make some babies with… CHOOSE ME ME ME ME ME ME ME

Do you think I need some lederhosen?  We took a quick look inside, no dog lederhosen and since dad comes from the land of lederhosen, he wasn’t impressed.

Still thinking about that frosty beverage…

Ok sausage… I can be persuaded to stop for some of that.

Fried TWINKIES???

No dogs in the weingarten or the biergarten.  Grrrrrrr

Ok, FINALLY in the sausage tent.  Get me a big one will ya dad?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm

Thanks for remembering that I like it in small pieces – eating off of the ground maybe isn’t ideal, but it works!

But hey, that frosty beverage….

We stopped at Bavarian Haus for the drinks.  Mama and I got us some seats.  PROST!

Then we walked around more – basically the entire little town is taken over for Oktoberfest – and they had a classic car show too!  Since I’m in the market for a new Bogiemobile, I thought I’d take a look around for something suitable…

Some are more practical than others…

I like the license plate on this one… HICKUP

This one is kind of cool but I’d be worried about not having enough space for you dad…

But wait… another gorgeous girl – a goldendoodle!  We compared notes about what it’s like to be confused for a poodle…

Ok, this might be the one dad… I’d look SO COOL in this… CAN WE GET IT???

Wait wait wait… maybe I spoke too soon…  maybe THIS is the new Bogiemobile…

OH YEAH…

Hey, this one kind of looks like the current Bogiemobile but it’s topless… this might be more our speed, and our budget…

But the baby blue Thunderbird?  Also a good choice…

After several hours it was time to drive home… my least favorite part.  But we did get to stop at a fruit and vegetable stand…

On the way home, we all decided that it might be best to stop off at the Lucky Lab before heading home.  I agreed this would be an exceptional idea.  And there we met Max…

He’s a cool Bulldog and super sweet.  I told dad that he could give him some of my chicken treats…

But of course I wanted some as well, I feel like I’d earned them…

Lots of Labs there today (as always – I think the Labrador Retriever is the official dog of Portland!) and this fine German Shepherd.

We were very taken by Max, and spent lots of time talking with him and his dad.  What a great face, huh?

Don’t I look like the perfect pup here?  I do love my mama, and always feel the need to protect her…

Socialization test – PASSED          Distraction test – uh, well…

Love,

Bogart

Chez Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

And this one was so cute from Molly & Taffy – it’s an animated card, and I had to choose boxes to slowly reveal it… the suspense was killin’ me I tell ya…

THANK YOU EVERYONE for all of the cards, presents, and wishes for a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  I had a GREAT one!!!

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

So what are we gonna do mom?  I know it’s REALLY hot outside (it was 100 degrees here today in Portland!) but you promised we’d go somewhere…

Ooooh, is that ARBY’S???

I’d like the 5-for-5 special please.  And hold the sauce.

Oh yeah… Meaty goodness in a bag!!!

Major points for presentation there dad… those sandwiches look SCRUMPTIOUS!!!  But wait… why is there only 4?  I thought I ordered 5…

I see, they’ve changed their deal at Arby’s.  Ok, so 4 will just HAVE to do…

But wait, what’s this?  A box for ME???

Ohmygosh, it’s from MAGGIE & MITCH!!!!

OPEN THE BOX MAMA!!!  I SMELL AIREDALE!!!

Yeah yeah mama, YOU can have the card…

I’ll take the yummy meaty sticks, thanks very much…

I LOVE these yummy treats – you guys ROCK!!!!

Oooooooooooh… me likey my new Whirl Wheel.  It squeaks!!!!

Oh this one is soooo sweet of you!!!  Mama has admired Miss Barbara’s Airedale portraits and now we have a whole book of them to look at!!!  You guys are SO generous and SO thoughtful, I’m sending you big, super, mega special AIRE KISSES for all of my fantastic birthday presents!!!

Hey, check out what dad gave me for my birthday… a new collar!  At first I looked at it, well hey, I have a collar, but this one had a little something extra special about it.  Dad made it for me from one of his old belts!!!  So now it’s kind of like he’s passing it down to me as his fuzzy son.  I LOVE IT DAD and will wear it with pride…

A BIG GIANT THANK YOU to ALL of my friends all over the world for their sweet birthday wishes, presents, and lovin’ – you make me such a happy boy!!!

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

Hubba Hubba, looks like we’re ready to P-A-R-T-Y!!!

Woo-hoo, I’m gonna be 3 tomorrow!!! THANK YOU ASTA, you really know how to make a boy feel SPECIAL!!!!

Love,
Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

No better way to celebrate the independence of America than doing something that we are really, really good at – The Nathans Hot Dog Eating Competition!

Today is an epic matchup – Kobayashi vs. Chestnut – for the rights to the Mustard Belt.  Already there is controversy over the shortening of the contest from 12 minutes to 10 minutes.  Will that make a difference to these athletes?

Kobayashi was the 6-time champion until he was upset last year by local boy, Chestnut, so this year is a GRUDGE MATCH

The competitive eaters from all over are assembled – some great costuming this year! – and the fun facts about all of the competitors are priceless.  In order to ascend the heights of the Nathans contest, you have to prove your intestinal mettle as a champion in some other eating pantheon – today there were brisket eaters, cheese fry specialists, sushi specialists, and hard-boiled egg eaters.

I’m thinking that maybe I could start training for such a thing, dad… maybe starting with some tasty beef heart perhaps?

I’m studying the great Kobayashi’s technique as I chew myself…

Ready for the next one dad… keep ‘em coming!

Maybe some decorative face paint will improve my chances like this guy?

I noticed that all the competitors have a technique of eating and drinking at the same time, so I head over to my Drinkwell so that I can eat more…

In the end it was HISTORIC – never in the Nathans history has there been a TIE!!!  59 dogs in 10 minutes! So they had to have a DOG OFF (don’t worry doggies, it’s not what you’re thinking…) where they had to go head-to-head and whoever ate 5 dogs the fastest would win.  IT WAS NAIL BITING…

In the end Chestnut was victorious, so the Mustard Belt stays in the USA!  I’m kind of sad for Kobayashi, he’s a great competitor with amazing technique (cannonballing those dogs by folding them in half, genius!) as he’s had some injuries (jaw-thritis), but I’m happy to hear that he will stay in competitive eating and be back next year!!!

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

You don’t look a day over 231…

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

I ripped and ripped and tugged and tugged and FINALLY I got the thing open…

IT IS A WUBBA!!!! I’ve been Wubba-deprived forever, this is my very first Wubba, I’m soooo excited I can barely contain myself!

I immediately decided to introduce my new Wubba to all of my current stuffy friends. Then I took it aside to get to know it a little better – and I like what I’m chewin’ on!

There was another present inside that I’m not going to mention yet as we haven’t been able to properly photograph me with it. Mom promises to work on getting a good photo soon (yes, it will be worth the wait).

THANK YOU Charlie and Opy!!! Even if it wasn’t my birthday, you made today SPECIAL!!!

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!

Xmas was awfully nice – presents all around for me and the kitties!

My favorite one was from my Grandma Bunny (she’s not a real bunny, but she’s my honey!) – it was some peanut butter treats from Three Dog Bakery. Mmm-mmm-good Grandma, you sure can pick good presents!!!

My buddy Stanley put up a great post with some cool info about his mom awhile ago – we were asked to do the same. But it’s odd, mom is always the one HOLDING the camera, not IN FRONT OF the camera, and it can be difficult to get dad to hold the camera because, well, he’s not super-talented at it (he loses interest – kind of like me – see the video below for the proof).

So I think we’ll be posting little videos with more mom in ‘em since she cannot figure out anything that’s particularly cool about herself to post. She really does exist! And those opposable thumbs of hers do come in handy.

Today we did a little stickwork which I was certainly happy for since they left me home all by myself for hours ON CHRISTMAS DAY after the present extravaganza to go to the movies. And mom, exactly WHO goes to see a movie like Sweeney Todd on Christmas Day??? I guess that’s a good description of my mom (she’s a BIG Tim Burton fan, and oh does she like that Johnny Depp guy…).

Love,

Bogart

BookmAIREk Me!