Dog of the Month

Did you see this month's Dog Fancy magazine? Mom saw it today as we were walking around the Grove, the outdoor mall here in Los Angeles. She ran into the Barnes & Noble to get a magazine (I swear, she's addicted to the things - me, I'm more into their destruction personally) and came out with this!

Complete with Airedale litter centerfold. So damn cute.

Yes, it does look an awful lot like me... and it's convinced me that I should indeed go for the career in cute-dog-modelling that mom keeps threatening me with. Something about having to earn my keep...

Love,
Bogart

Scruffy the Cat - Elegantly Wasted

Well, the day started out pretty normally with some fun at Kindergarten, uh I mean the dog park. Got to see the Airedales briefly, then some running with old friends and new ones.

I wanted to introduce you to my best friend, Scruffy. He's an old tom tabby that lives in our neighborhood, he's a stray and nobody really knows where he came from. He's pretty old, he definitely has some some of digestive issues, but he seems to be a happy little guy. He'll follow everyone in our building to get some food or a pat on the head. He especially follows mom because he knows she's a sucker and will open a can whenever he looks at her... she's been well-trained over the years by her felines, obviously.

Scruffy is my absolutely favorite cat to play with - even sometimes more than my "own" cats that live with me. Scruffy is very old, totally deaf, and most importantly, LETS ME LICK HIS HEAD UNTIL I'M TIRED. It's good for both of us - he gets his head cleaned of any crusty-ness, and I get to well, lick his head. We both wag our tails and I try not to step on him.

Then later we went to Pasadena because mom and dad wanted to eat lunch and walk around a city for a change... we stopped at Pita Pita on Colorado, they have really good vegetarian (for mom) and non-vegetarian (for dad) food. I was happy to pick up what dad spilled from his sandwich, nothing like feeling useful...

Time for some relaxing now, I just heard that it may start raining here for a few days tomorrow. Grrr. It's not that I don't like rain, I just hate having to pee while getting peed on, basically.

Love,
Bogart
www.toaireisdivine.com

Levi in Repose

This is Levi. He’s one of my buddies at the dog park. I am in complete awe of his ability to lay like this - legs completely splayed, paws perfectly caressing the mushy football.

And this is after running after balls the entire morning! Go Levi!

Dad found a great place for dogs like Levi who like to run and like to herd to go - the Drummond Ranch, where dogs can run and play with sheep and herd them! I personally can't understand the allure, but hey, I'm a terrier.

Love,
Bogart

Peeing Like the Big Boys

Today I've become a man.

Not just a pup, but a man. Tonight at about 10:30 mom was taking me for my last walk of the day... a very normal event, nothing exciting. Sometimes she doesn't even put on regular clothes, just throws a sweatshirt over her counting sheep pajamas (mom, we're really going to have to talk about that someday). It's dark, there is usually no one else around, I just run out to my favorite peeing spot and do my business.

Well tonight I felt something... an urge, an itch, it was unexplainable - something just wasn't right anymore.

And with mom watching in those damn counting sheep pajamas, I did it - I LIFTED MY LEG TO PEE. That's right - peeing like the big boys. Apparently I'm right-pawed as I lifted my back right leg to pass my nightly water. Not on a tree, or against a fence, no sir-ee bob - but just letting it fly into the wind. Like a fuzzy tripod.

Of course with it being so dark out at night mom couldn't take a proper picture. Not to mention there wasn't anywhere convenient for her to carry her camera - not in those counting sheep pajamas! So there is no record of this great event, just the tale...

That's right, I've passed over into manhood - no more peeing "bitch"...

Love,
Bogart
www.toaireisdivine.com

Happy Birthday, Mr. President...

Holidays are fun, there are so many people out - which means the opportunity for adventure is great!

Today started with some fun at the dog park - with a grapefruit, of all things. Remember I told you about when dad thought it would be funny to feed me a pickle and thought I'd make a really funny face - then I didn't? Well, we had a similar encounter this morning with my buddies, the Airedales.

Dad was eating a grapefruit - something that shouldn't appeal to dogs, right? - but we're not just dogs, we're AIREDALES. So dad thought he'd try to be funny again... here's the result:

After a ride home and a quick nap, we went out to lunch at the Corner Bakery in Burbank. Nothing for me there, as mom was having her same old boring sandwich and dad had chili and wouldn't let me try any. So I just waited for them to finish, and for 2 tables full of people to finish admiring me.

Then we walked by IKEA - mom's favorite place. We were going to go inside to get a hot dog (dad keeps promising me one of these someday, haven't gotten one yet) but I've been having some digestive issues lately so dad decided maybe another time. Just as they were discussing my intestines, I suddenly had the urge to poop. So I pooped on the IKEA lawn. And mom and dad laughed and were trying to joke about it with stupid Swedish accents (who cares, dad still has to pick up my poop - not the other way around - so they can tease all they want).

Love,
Bogart

The Running of the Dales

Running with the dales! It’s my favorite time of the week, getting to play with my 3 Airedale friends at the dog park!

Love,
Bogart

I have a new website!!!!!

Bogart and I have been working non-stop to develop his new website - he felt that this blog, while nice, was lacking a certain "something".

It is located here: http://www.toaireisdivine.com

The blog is there, and I've added a Message Board as well (accessible from the top right on the sidebar, just above the Calendar - TAKE ME to the Airedale Boards!). It's going to be an ongoing project, but we wanted to invite everyone to visit, post, suggest links, and have fun!!!

Lulu & Bogart

Doggie Timeout

Today started with another visit to the dog park...

It wasn't nearly as boiling hot as it has been lately - all that dust spoiling my spiffy Airedale puppy pelt - today it was cold and dark. Lots of mud around the dog park, and a distinct smell of poop.

This is what I call the "timeout" place - whenever things get too intense, or the chasing and biting gets too serious, all the dogs know that they just have to run over to the bench (either hide under the table or jump up onto it, depending on your size) and it's an automatic timeout. Chasing must stop, biting must cease, general calmness must prevail.

We had to leave early because it started to rain (and mom was convinced that I was determined to get as muddy as possible - ok, so she was right about that one) but it was still fun with some really cute doggies!

Love,
Bogart

Reflections on the first 6th months of life...

Today I am officially 6 months old.

Mom seems to think that's a big deal, for me I just mainly feel happy. A little sore as my bones seem to grow a few inches every single day, but I'm starting to catch up with my paws.

I've been with mom and dad for about 4 months now, and it's certainly been a whirlwind adventure. I've learned about cats, dog parks, malls, Chinese beauty queens, offices, sticks, homemade dog food vs. canned, knitting, cafes, and treats (those are just the things that come quickly to mind). I've been in cars and taken long walks, seen parades and the Hollywood sign. I've been to parties and spent nights in watching tv.

Life is good! Today to celebrate we took a long walk in Griffith Park by the old zoo again...

Mom seems to think that this "mini-birthday" a big deal, for me I just mainly feel happy. A little sore as my bones seem to grow a few inches every single day, but I'm starting to catch up with my paws.

I've been with mom and dad for about 4 months now, and it's certainly been a whirlwind adventure. I've learned about cats, dog parks, malls, Chinese beauty queens, offices, sticks, homemade dog food vs. canned, knitting, cafes, and treats (those are just the things that come quickly to mind). I've been in cars and taken long walks, seen parades and the Hollywood sign. I've been to parties and spent nights in watching tv.

Life is good!

I just cannot imagine that I'm going to get any bigger than I already am, but mom says I'm going to be a monster. I say the bigger I am, the more opportunity for cuteness...

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day!

Love,
Bogart

Where's Bogart, or Spot the Airedale

Today I was in an impish mood.

Mom took me for a little walk in the park behind our house after the morning visit to the doggie park. She let me off the leash for a moment, and walked ahead.

I stayed behind, at first pretending to be interested in a passing twig, or a blowing leaf. I let her get just a little bit ahead of me, and then...

I hid behind a tree.

I thought she could see me, so I turned my head the other way.

Aw shucks, she found me!

Guess I'll just have to turn on the Airedale charm...

Love,
Bogart

My Peeps

I got to run in the doggie park again this morning - yeah! - mornings are really great, all of the doggies and the people are really nice. I think I have mom and dad convinced that this is the best time to take me there on a regular basis (even tho it's really hard for mom to wake up - I've found the 2 paws to the chest and enthusiastic face-licking technique works best).

And today the AIREDALES were there! Whee!!!!! They're teaching me lots of things, especially how to welcome other dogs into the doggie park. Who is cool to play with. And a little bit about humping.

(welcoming the newcomers - all at once is very important)

(who to play with - seems to be a good thing to know)

(mom being taught the proper way to worship the Airedale)

I really like hanging out with the Airedale posse - they're cool and I have a LOOOOOOT to learn...

Love,
Bogart