Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Just Relaxing...

Mom has been working a lot lately, and you know what that means! Yup, I get to sleep at her feet in her office. I LOVE THIS!!! And to make it even better, her camera batteries are dead! Whee! I can relax...

She's been busy trying to learn how to make me my own real blog (not at work, of course, she's been locked in her office at home doing that at night with Sekhmet, another one of my cat co-conspirators, you haven't met her yet). Apparently there is something called Wordpress that she doesn't know how to use yet and she's getting a little crazy. All of these silly words... hosting, databases, graphics, domains... means nothing to me. I just sleep, and when I want to go out I give her thigh a good bite.

Works every time.

Love,
Bogart

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Barkback Mountin'

Ok, I'm going to start this out by saying that I have no idea what all the fuss is about.

Yesterday was my first Christmas, and mom and dad took me over to their friends house - Stephen & Sharon - so I could play with their doggies. I've never met them before, the German Shepherd is Oliver, and the avocado-shaped dog is Sneaky. At first no one was sure if we would all get along, but my charm and wit won over the older doggies and we had so much fun. Running and jumping, chasing and play-biting, fetching and humping....

Wait, did I just say humping?

That's what the humans called it. I can't explain it. This sudden urge just came over me to grab onto Sneaky and just hump away. Was I trying to show dominance? Am I sexually maturing? Was it just a funny game? Damned if I know. All I know was that I was absolutely powerless to resist the giant butt of the neutered Sneaky.

Sneaky was quite patient with me for most of the evening, as I just couldn't control myself once I'd started. Oliver looked on, amused, and just glad that I didn't find him nearly so attractive.

The humans were inside, cooking and eating until a very late hour. By this time my romantic antics were thoroughly rebuffed by an annoyed Sneaky and we were all gathering around the door begging for some chow. It came in the form of several bowls of turkey pieces, which I haven't had before and I gobbled down (mom thinks that's funny...).

I did get presents earlier in the day, luckily I wasn't in mom's office so I didn't have to deal with THAT TREE. Some special food in the morning and a few little gifties made me a happy dog.

Hope your Christmas was great and you managed to cajole your humans into getting you exactly what you wanted this year!!!!

Happy Holidays,
Bogart

Friday, December 23, 2005

Bogie vs. The Christmas Tree

From what I hear, lots of people but big giant trees in their house during this time of year. Seems kind of silly to me, they're so pretty and great to pee on when they're outside, but whatever.

Mom has a little one in her office that I believe is evil.

I don't like it, I don't want to be near it, I'll run away if it's near, I sleep with one eye open when I sense she is placing it near me. Absolutely no way you can talk me into liking it, no sir-ee. Mom wanted me to pose next to it but IT'S EVIL I SAY.

I have been reassured that my bitter hatred of this tree will not stop the presents from arriving on Sunday... but I'm still not going anywhere near it.

Love,
Bogart

Ebay - No Live Animals

This is great!

After lots of letters and complaints to Ebay, they've decided not to lift the ban on selling live animals on their site!

I think this is FABULOUS... you never know who you're dealing with on ebay anyway, and all of the awful stories I've heard about puppy mills scare me to death.

Mom still complains that ebay is slowly eating her soul, but at least this is one great thing that they've done - way to go ebay!

Love,
Bogart

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Holiday Lights

Wow, I'm discovering new things all the time about this holiday thing...

Tonight mom and I took a ride through Griffith Park to see the DWP Holiday Light Show. At first I thought it was going to be lame... more sitting in the car, what's the big deal about lights anyway?

Well then I saw them... they were sooooo cool! Mom rolled down the window so I could hang outside and I was absolutely fascinated. Lights everywhere, lots of colors, and music. We had to drive really slowly because there were so many people.

I apologize for the fuzzy pictures, apparently mom hasn't yet mastered the art of driving, holding me, and taking pictures of me being cute at the same time. I'll have to crack the whip on that one because I'm sure there will be more precious moments in the future.

Love,
Bogart

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Treats Treats, All For Meeeee!

I'm with mom today at the office, as you know a fun place for me to be (because I am devoted to sleep like you wouldn't believe). So I was a little surprised when mom pulled out the Hurl-a-Squirrel... haven't seen that in awhile, mom said it was hiding in the back of her car.

So after a hearty game of Hurl the Squirrel (I always win and am getting quite impish about my winning... I trot off triumphantly with the hurl-a-squirrel in my mouth, my little tush bouncing, whenever I can get my teeth into it) we headed out for lunch.

Little did I know that since I've been such a good boy (well, that I knew) that we were going to visit the Three Dog Bakery today... There were other people inside and another of those tiny little dogs (Chihuahua - thanks mom) but all I could think about was the large spoon coming at me filled with frosting. Mm mm mm. I finished mine in record time and then began exploring, looking for something else to gnaw on. I found a fluffy green toy, but mom seemed to think that this didn't belong to me. That's ok since I knew we were there to buy me a yummy treat.

Usually I get a few of the little pup-cakes, but today we went for the big game: a carob-and-frosting covered confection called a Pup-it Fours. I cannot begin to tell you how much fun I had with this treat, it was HUGE and really cold so it was hard for me to bite into. Which is of course a great challenge for me. I licked off the frosting first, then got to work on the carob coating, then chewed away at the yummy cake-y center. Mom kept saying that it looked like I was eating poop, but I say as long as it's delicious, who cares?

Love,
Bogart

Monday, December 19, 2005

1000 Airedale Views!


(this is mom as a South Park character! I think it looks just like her!)
1000.... That's a big number. I hope that means that a lot of people tune in to look at me (because after all, the sun rises and falls in the sky because I'm here)!

I'm having so much fun doing my blog, pushing for more adventures, kicking mom in the butt to type out my thoughts for me. And I've got some great friends because of it! Some cool Airedales, lots of other doggies, and even some kitties! I love to link to everyone, so if you want to have a link on my blog just email mom at secrtrix@yahoo.com and I'll have her get right on that....

Love,
Bogart

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Hubba Hubba

Wow, I think I have my first crush...

There's a cutie out there named Emmi Lou - she wrote me a nice little note about how handsome I was (which I always LOVE) - and it makes my heart go thumpety-thump.

She's got a great blog too... read her here!

Here's lookin' and winkin' at you kiddo!

Love,
Bogart

Friday, December 16, 2005

Terrier Day at Corner Bakery

Today I'm with mom at work which I really like... she's been really busy so I get to sleep!!!

So I wasn't surprised when she packed me into the car and drove to Corner Bakery for lunch. It's one of our favorite places, the people who work there are really, really nice to me (they always bring me water in a bowl, and keep an eye on me while mom orders her sandwich). And sometimes I meet new dogs there, but mostly I just sleep adorably.

Well today I got to almost meet another terrier! Buddy is a Fox Terrier, and as you can see he's absolutely adorable! I kept pulling on my leash because I wanted mom to take me over to meet him. Even looking up at her with the pleading look in my eyes wasn't working. I couldn't figure out why. Buddy got to sit on his mom's lap while they ate lunch, I was kind of jealous.

But then I noticed that Buddy's tail wasn't wagging, it was shaking. And then Buddy started to growl and bark. Ah, so this is what mom has been telling me a little bit about, dogs that don't really like other dogs that much. To me this doesn't make any sense at all (I am, after all, a puppy and the world revolves around me) but I gotta respect it. I tried barking a little but I just sounded kinda pathetic next to Buddy who was much better at it than I was. I couldn't even pretend to not want to play with him.

Oh well. Maybe next time Buddy! You know where to find me at lunchtime!

Love,
Bogart

Thursday, December 15, 2005

My Girl Ferocious

Mom and dad go to see their car mechanic a lot. I assume it has something to do with the fact that we're always driving somewhere, it must be hard for the Beetle after a while. Kind of like how I feel after dragging dad's shoes around the house for an hour or so.

Hm.

Anyway, their mechanic is a really nice guy named Walter. And he has a really great dog named Ferocious. When I first saw her it was love at first sight... she's a foxy kind of lady (by that I mean she looks like a fox, or the picture I saw of a fox one time) who guards the auto shop. And she's really, really good at her job. When she's not keeping out the riff-raff, there are lots of great oil puddles to roll in, and she's led me down this path before. I know as soon as dad brings me here that I'm gonna roll with Ferocious.

We play too, and I've found a lovely spot at the back of the shop to poop. It's funny, no one notices it for the first minute or so, then all of a sudden everyone looks at me -- woo! hoo! attention for me! -- and then dad has to "do the doody".

I really like Ferocious, she gives me a run for my money and really wears me out. It's always fun to go to Budget Auto Repair, thanks Walter!!!

Love,
Bogart

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

32 Pounds of LOVE

That's right kiddies, I'm now over the 30-pound mark. Mom has been saying that for some time, but I just think she's lazy and doesn't want to carry me around as much anymore. I still like that a lot, more people pet me that way.

Today I got my last round of puppy shots, and my rabies shot. So another new tag to add to my ever-growing charm bracelet of a collar. I'm still amazed at all the fuss that people make about this getting a shot thing - I barely notice it each time it's happened, but now I'm getting hip to the fact that whenever we go into the building marked Gateway Animal Hospital and I see a bunch of other not-so-happy-looking dogs and howling-in-their-cages cats that a needle is most likely in my immediate future. But they really don't bother me, I always make the best of any gathering of humans by turning on the charm. Cock my head to the side, that one always works.

The rabies shot, on the other hand, was another story. That one really, really hurt and I was sure to let everyone in the entire building know it. I'm not used to this, I wasn't pleased, and I'm not doing that one again. Ever. That's final.

I did get a shiny new doggie bone tag to add to my collection on my collar (mom calls it my charm bracelet) -- but that's not enough. No more shots in my leg, mom, dad, Dr. Jimerson, everyone, you hear me???

Gonna go run around with dad today, I'll dictate more later and pose for my new over-30 photos.

Love,
Bogart

Monday, December 12, 2005

My Calling Card

There have been so many times when we've met up with cute doggies or other friends and haven't been able to tell them about my blog because no one had a piece of paper or a pen...

So now if you meet me out somewhere, I have my own calling card! Mom or dad will give you one if we take a picture with you, so you can see yourself on my blog!!!

Love,
Bogart

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Celebrity Sighting!


People keep telling me that Los Angeles is filled with celebrities - but as a puppy I'm kind of out of that loop. Every new person I meet could be the most famous person in the world and I'd have absolutely no idea, they're just someone new for me to sniff.

But even I've heard of Madonna.


There she was, with her bright pink fingernails and toenails, sitting contentedly in a man's lap while everyone enjoyed lunch. She was really territorial and not completely pleased that just any pup would approach her, even as I excitedly brought forth my mighty paws in a gesture of happiness. Maybe that was a little too much, for she really tried to let me have it, giving me the universal "go away, I'm too fabulous for you" look and growl.

Then as we were leaving, she cemented her superiority by walking right over to where I was laying down near mom's feet and peed right next to me. Then she ran away after her two lovely boys.

So, after my first real celebrity encounter, I now know:

Among Madonna's fave things are cuddling in just out of the dryer laundry,

She also likes burrowing under covers

And she's as bitchy in person as she seems on tv!

But I had no idea her eyes were so big!!!

Love,
Bogart

Saturday, December 10, 2005

The Doggie Tooth Fairy

I'm losing teeth.

It's the weirdest thing, first I've spent the better part of my almost-4-months on this planet growing teeth (and having the teething really hurt so much that I must chew on everything in sight) and now they're falling out.

Dad first noticed yesterday that I was missing a tooth so he touched a few of my other ones and they're kind of wobbly! This is soooo weird.

I need those teeth! How else will I keep mom in line? She only listens when I bite her right arm repeatedly!

I've been told that this is just a phase - that new, bigger, and sharper ones will be coming soon - so I'm only a little bit worried. I woke up this morning with a nice big bone under my pillow that I don't remember seeing mom or dad put there. They told me it was from the doggie tooth fairy, and I just smiled and nodded while they were talking about it, human blah-blah-blah, before I got down to business with that bone.

Thanks Dad (uh, I mean Doggie Tooth Fairy)!

Love,
Bogart

Friday, December 09, 2005

Dog & Cat Adoption - This Weekend!!!

Hurricane Katrina Super Adoption
December 11th 2005
Sunday, 11 am - 4 pm

Event hosted by:
Rescue for Ruffugees & New Leash on Life
Santa Monica Airport Barker Hangar
3021 Airport Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Rescued animals from Louisiana and Los Angeles
30+ rescue organizations
Pet supply vendors
Free Admission and Parking
Love,
Bogart

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Airedale Art Project

I have been working on a project - an art project, if you will - since the day I arrived in Los Angeles.

There is a large stuffed leopard - you may have seen it in some photos that mom has taken - that I have had an irresistable urge to destroy since my first moment here.


At the beginning, it was larger than me, so tussling with it was quite the workout for me. I'd roll around, grab it by the neck, shake it around in my teeth, and really try to "take it down". But I was mostly unsuccessuful as it was too large and formidable of an opponent.

Now, however, the tables have turned and I am the larger one. I always thought I'd get it's tail off first, with a violent shaking in my teeth, but today I did finally have a breakthrough - I got it's neck open. Lots of lovely fluffy white insides that don't taste nearly as yummy as I'd thought they would have tasted (who knew that leopards were so tasteless?). I pulled out more and more in a quest to find the tasty innards, but it was to no avail.

It's still fun to play with, and now makes a lovely pillow when I need a nap.

Love,
Bogart

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Lovin' Life

I take a moment out of my busy day to contemplate my life in Los Angeles so far...

There are so many cars here in Los Angeles, and most of the time I'm riding shotgun in the passenger seat of mom's Beetle. I like it, because it's small enough that I can drag my butt up onto the seat pretty easily now (at least when I feel like it). Mom always has treats in the car, so that's an added incentive.

It's warm pretty much all the time, although I keep hearing about this thing called snow that ohmygod I would love so much. I have no concept of this so I just let the humans blather on about it and chew on their feet when it all gets to be too much.

Mom and dad are super cool, and I couldn't be happier that they adopted me. Even when I protest in my old man groan that I just don't want to wake up and go for another walk, they still love me. When I occasionally have an accident in the house, they still love me. They love me a tiny bit less when I have said accident in moms office, but I make up for it by being especially cute and adorable so they forget about how stinky it is.

The cats are great, but I'm still trying to figure out so many things about them. Why does Behemoth always get his paw caught in my ear fur or moustache when he swats at me? Why are the girls (who you haven't met yet) not really into me? Who could not be into me??

I just love that I've found a family that loves and cares about me, that I can push around a little, and that I love too!!!

Love,
Bogart

Monday, December 05, 2005

Employee of the Month

Today my cuteness earned us a free loaf of ciabatta bread. What can I say?

Mom couldn't resist taking a picture of me as Employee of the Month (she really cannot mean that I'm the employee... I asked the cats, and they told me that it's the humans who are our employees - picking up our poop, paying for everything, allowing us to lead lives of leisure...)

Funny picture, tho. For humans.

Love,
Bogart

Sunday, December 04, 2005

What's all this about Santa Claus?

Ok, I'm confused.

Today mom took me to Petco (as you know, one of my favorite places) to have my picture taken with Santa Claus. Since I know nothing of this person or this holiday (yet!), I was just happy to be going into the store. We got there around 9:30 this morning, because Santa was supposed to be there at 9.

There was no Santa Claus. There was no photographer. Just a lot of angry humans with their doggies. Apparently, Santa had been out on a bender (I understand this to be that he drank too much firewater) and the photographer left in disgust. Somehow the Petco employees were able to convince the photographer to come back again in a little while, but he had to stop and buy a Santa Claus suit. So we all waited.

There was Elvis the miniature Schnauzer, Ripley the fox-like mutt & Tara the Rottweiler, Gunner the Doberman, Nico the terrier-mix and others... We managed to have some fun while the humans yelled at each other. Everyone was friendly, mom had conveniently grabbed a bag of Charlee Bear snacks so we were busy feeding everyone while the dogs all ran around and peed all over Petco.

Finally the photographer arrived with - what mom says - was a lousy backdrop and no Santa. He set up and then a very glum-looking Petco employee stomped past us with a folded Santa suit in his hands. Uh-oh. We waited a little while longer and then finally Santa was ready.

The first few pets went up to take their pictures with Santa - what a mess! Santa didn't have a chair and the backdrop was too short for him to stand up... The photographer really didn't know how to pose pets with Santa (read: how to bribe us to look cute for a second). When it was my turn, mom was busy making sure that I looked adorable and she even didn't yell at me when I bit the nasty Santa. Not hard, just a nip, because he was making my mom mad.

I think the picture that we chose was kind of nice - the photographer only took a few digital photos (now I've watched mom take pictures, and she's muuuuuuch better than this guy!) for us to choose from so mom picked one and then we went up to pay for it. Then we found out that it's going to be mailed to us! Mom was mad again because she wanted to put my cute face into everyone's Christmas cards.... ah well, sorry mom, the world will have to wait for my cuteness!

I'll post the picture when we finally get it. Right now I'm off with Dad to his friend's furniture store, Sweet Smiling Home. It's a really nice store, if you're looking for Indonesian or Asian furniture they have really great stuff (mom and dad got their bed there, that I'm not allowed to sleep on... yet). I get to see Sophie the Dachshund so that should be fun.

Love,
Bogart

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Scent of an Airedale

Today it was decided that I was getting - ahem! - a bit "funky".

All the time that I've devoted to rolling in mud and running through grass has paid off in a way I hadn't expected... I was going to get my first real shower.

Mom and Dad went out and bought special shampoo for me (supposedly, my skin is a bit dry, whatever that means) and then I listened in while they discussed the best place for this grand procedure.

It was decided that I'd hop into the stand-up shower with Dad, and we'd take a shower together. Mom must have been in on it because she stood outside the door taking pictures of me through the glass and laughing at my plight. Dad soaped me up with the shampoo (ok, it does smell kind of nice) and the shower rinsed it away. It was fun because Dad was making it into a game for me, but still, it was all about a lot of water falling on me and lets say that while I didn't absolutely hate the experience, I'm hoping I don't have to do it again.

Ever.

But that's not going to stop me rolling in stuff.

Dad dried me off with a big, fluffy towel (which is apparently now "my" towel - whee!) and then mom tried to dry me off with this blowy thing that blew warm air at me. I thought this was hilarious and proceeded to run all around the room, taunting her, barking at the blowy thing, and basically drying myself off in the process.

Humans. They're so simple.

Love,
Bogart

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Having Fun with Dad!


I really love to spend my day with dad... he takes me lots of places, I get to run, to sniff poop, and to just have a really, really good time.

We started out the day at Petco (my favorite place on the planet so far) by buying pallets of the only food that I've decided I will eat. It's from Purina, Pro Plan Large Puppy cans. It's quite yummy but I may of course yank mom and dad around a little from time to time, pretending that I don't like it anymore (probably just before they buy another pallet) because I don't want them to get too spoiled.

I'm not really motivated by food which drives mom and dad crazy - treats, cans of food, all that stuff doesn't really excite me. But a well-placed hand that I can bite... priceless.

Anyway, after we got home dad took me out into Elysian Park behind our house and I got to run and frolic. As you can see, I'm as adorable when frolic-ing as I am when posing.

Bogart.... out!

Love,
Bogart