Bad to the Bone - A Celebration of Bogart Handsome Devil

Bogart spent his life in the public eye via this blog.  His little fuzzy mug insisted that we start this way back when he first arrived 11 years ago.  The idea of a dog with a blog was new territory back then, and a dog's blog from his own perspective?  Nobody else was doing it.  So with a crappy camera, a rudimentary knowledge of blogging software, and a dream, this blog was born.  We've captured almost every major (and minor) bit of Bogart's life for eleven years - and made friends around the world because of it.

Now that he's gone, it is an amazing resource for me to look back on, and smile.  That boy had THE LIFE.  And when it was time to put together a tribute video to celebrate his life, well, it was invaluable.  I have many thousands of photos and videos haphazardly saved amongst various hard drives, old computers, and flash drives, but the blog was a great source of photos from puppyhood all the way through his golden years.

And so this blog ends after 11 years of AIREdventures.  It's been a helluva ride.

I hope you will enjoy seeing this, cry a little, and smile at the badass adventures of Notorious BHD.
 

Love,

Lulu

Feel free to check out Bogart's other spots on the internet including his other blog:  www.toaireisdivine.com 
www.facebook.com/AiredaleTerrier
@bogarthdevil on Twitter

The King is Dead, Long Live the King

 

Dearest friends of the greatest Airedale ever… it is with a very heavy heart that I tell you that Bogart passed away last night. Sadly he had a large tumor on his liver that had spread to his lungs. He was a true Airedale all the way, never gave up, never stopped being his inimitable self, kicking ass and taking names (and carrying sticks). We had a long goodbye with lots of love, funny stories, and belly scratches and then I let him go. I am completely heartbroken and totally devastated. I will miss that boy forever, we were the bestest friends and he was my true partner in crime.

Thank you for all of your love and support over the last 11+ years, it’s been an incredible jAIRErney.

Walk softly and carry a big stick (or 6, or 7).

Lulu

Tuesday's Motivational Poster

Love,

Bogart

It's Monday. GO BIG

Love,

Bogart

2 Years On - GO BOGIE GO!

Two years ago today a 10-pound tumor that had been growing on my spleen, slowly taking over my abdominal cavity and in general being a very bad thing, burst.  Mama rushed me into emergency surgery at the amazing Penn Veterinary School Hospital in Philadelphia.  The prognosis didn’t look good.  I didn’t look good.  Mama’s checkbook didn’t look good.

But damnit, I’m an Airedale Terrier.  We don’t give up when things get tough.

Despite incredibly bad odds, mama and I charged forward and had the surgery.  She even enrolled me in a study on dogs with a certain type of cancer that they were pretty certain I had, hoping that maybe we could have a few more months together if the news was as bad as everyone was predicting and maybe help the doctors learn how to help other dogs in the future.

And then… I surprised everyone by NOT having a cancerous tumor.  And surprise of a second kind… I did have testicular cancer.  Lucky for me the vet thought something might be wrong with “the boys” so she took ’em out when she removed the tumor.  Recovery wasn’t easy, but I refused to be knocked down.

That was exactly two years ago.  Mama and I are a strong, terrier team.  Despite a few little setbacks, I AM A SURVIVOR AND TUMORS CAN KISS MY ASS

Love,

Bogart

Snow B'Aire

It is cold.  Very cold.  While we didn't get the Snowmageddon that some other east coast cities got (I'm lookin' straight at you Philly - not that sorry we moved right about now!), we did get around 8" of snow.  Because I have feet like velcro snowshoes, I have to endure this indignity each year and put on the booties.  I know, I know, I'm always unhappy when my feet get stuffed with ice balls and my toes burn from salt and de-icer, but I just don't love 'em.  I do wear them, though, after mama reminds me how crappy it is when I don't (and she doesn't let me out to pee until I put them on).

So there's that.

Stay warm and un-salt-y!

Love,

Bogart

Go Steelers Go

 

As we live in Pittsburgh now, it seems that we have become a part of Steelers Nation.  Mama and I don't watch much sports, nor get involved in any of the hoo-ha surrounding it, preferring to do our own sports of urban-park-hiking and stickwork (with some tennis ball action thrown in).  Yet today after 1.5 hours of hard park walking, we came across this fine piece of stirring public art and felt the need to stop and pose.

While I don't understand a thing that is happening on a football field during one of your games, I do understand your need to chase a ball when it flies by you.  I do that too.

So Steeler Nation, this is for you.

Love,

Bogart

Snowman, 2. Bogart, 3.

Oh, snowman.  You pathetic little frozen beast.  Not even much of a snowman - just three slightly smaller sized lumps smashed on top of one another.  Your arms aren't exactly anatomically correct either, it would be difficult for you to accomplish much of anything with those oddly-placed appendages.

You only have two.  I have three.  I WIN

Love,

Bogart

Ready for the Polar Vortex

Brrrrrrrr.  It suddenly got super-duper cold here in Pittsbrrrrrrrrrrgh.  While I am adventure dog, and I enjoy a good romp in the snow just like any other self-respecting canine, this bitter wind bothers me.  Especially as I get older, I have far less tolerance for the wind not just whipping through my fuzz, but whipping me along.  And don't get me started on salt/de-icer/whatever-else-you-humans-are-using-on-the-sidewalks.

 

The salt/de-icer stings like no tomorrow.  Really, humans, would you walk on that stuff?

I'm going to share a little secret with you.  Now dogs, I know what you're thinking.  Why would we give away any of our secrets?  Who actually likes to wear booties?  But the honest truth is that they WORK.  I know, I know.  I hate to wear 'em as well.  But I have to admit that they make the walkies a whole helluva lot better.  When my paws sting it's miserable - for me and for mama.  My toes start 'a burning, and mama falls to the ground to try to wipe 'em off, we're both anxious and stressed.

 

JUST WEAR THE DAMN BOOTIES.

 

Here's a tip - but them one size too large for your dog.  Use a pair of arm warmers - or a knee sock with the foot cut off for you creative and/or cheap types - put those on (this helps the booties stay on).  Then slide on the slightly-too-big booties.  Not super tight with the Velcro.  I guarantee that your dog will do the "my feet are on fire" walk when you put them on.  Maybe always.  But once outside - voila.  Once they figure out that their feet ain't burnin', it's all gravy from there.

 

WALK SALT-FREE, MY FRIENDS.

 

Love,

Bogart

Happy New Year - Supermodel Style

There is this very cool bench in Schenley Park that is painted for every holiday.  We've never been able to run over and pose in front of it before, because we have been boring and always take the same trail.  BUT NO MORE.  This year is going to be about lots of changes in our lives (and damn it, only good ones for a change), starting with lots and lots of new trails and walking tours around our new(est) adopted city.

So off we went, veering from our trusty Bridle Trail to the Upper Panther Trail.  It's quite lovely, and goes in the same direction so that we can make our big loop (one of mama's requirements) back to the Bogiemobile.  And just at the very end of the trail - BAM.  Holiday bench.  So we stopped, I busted out a few supermodel moments for the camera, and back to the Bogiemobile we went. 

And yes, I did get a few treats for my trouble.  I have mama well trained.

Love,

Bogart