OK, this is too perfect for me at the moment:
Because that's exactly what mama has cooked for me this week - chicken and a pork chop. So I have to assume that this sign was made specifically for me and for no other reason.
I also saw this sign today for a lost wolverine and platypus (if you can't read it, try the larger version on www.toaireisdivine.com/blog):
Silly Portland people.
Love,
Bogart
I was bored. Chairman of the "bored". It is beautiful in Portland today, sunny and unseasonably warm. Absolutely no kind of weather to sit indoors and pretend that magically the apartment will clean itself. So lets tour Portland, shall we?
Ah, if this were the Bogiemobile. Alas no, yet super cool just the same.
Seeing as how it's pretty darned hot outside today, mama thought that before we took off for the most serious part of our journey that I might enjoy getting the paws wet. Oh mama, YOU WERE SO RIGHT
I'm really getting used to this "being in the water" thing. Was it just because I was hot? Who knows.
Did I mention that it was HOT?
And because there were small boats going by, there were actual little waves lapping at the shore. Yes these surprised me, but not in a bad way.
I continued my water-y trek, all in the name of cooling off the fuzz.
Wind in the fuzz, water on the butt.
When my disco pants are this wet, it makes my legs look so scrawny. Not my best look.
And yet I am intrigued by the small waves. And the rocks. And all of the floaty stuff going by.
A little rock climbing - just to work on my butt. And to dry off the disco pants before anyone sees me.
Walking east, time to check out the shops on Hawthorne. But most importantly, time for some...
Shops here are fun, but oddly there weren't a lot of people out today. Was it because of the heat? Usually Sunday's aren't this empty around here.
I wanted to swing into my favorite dog store - but alas, they are closed on Sundays. Even though I stood outside for some time and barked my very loudest, no one came to open the gates. Bastards.
And since we were in the neighborhood, time for some of those tasty Hawthorne Fish House fries. Um, mostly for mama, but I do enjoy a good fry myself.
What is the best way to handle a tough situation? Ask Bogart. Someone barks at you from behind their fence? Walk up to them slowly, deliberately, until you are super close. Let 'em think that you are coming in for a sniff or to submit. And then...
Ooo... how did we get all the way to Laurelhurst Park? Not that I mind, of course.
Laurelhurst Park is one of my favorite stick and cone collecting spots. And it's pretty. But there are a lot of other doggies here, so you have to be vigilant and protect your sticks.
First look to the right...
Then to the left...
Display the superiority of the scissor bite if necessary...
Or of course, break out the mighty bark. That one ALWAYS does the trick.
Ok, now I'm just annoyed. Lets move it out mama!
It looks like the algae bloom is slowly de-blooming. It's still quite green but not as neon-y as it used to be.
Well hello there ducks... come a little closer... just a l-i-t-t-l-e closer...
I have also discovered a new fun thing to chase down the street - chestnuts. And it seems that NE Portland is full of 'em. They fall from the trees in their spiky casings, break open and then become super fun to chase down the sidewalk.
Collect 'em all!
I'm not sure if you can see this clearly - but this guy on a motorcycle has a little beige doggie in his lap - and he's wearing DOGGLES! Ride free little dude!!!
Such a long walk down Broadway... both of us too tired to take photos. Just a parting shot down the Broadway Bridge as we headed for home - 5 hours later.
Yep, all of our paws hurt. Time to sleep...
Love,
Bogart
Saturday morning. Portland. Fall. Yet it's still really warm. And sunny. What to do?
Pick up a trusty stick - not just any stick will do - it's gotta be IMPRESSIVE
And rather than let your mama decide which way to go, just start running in the direction you want to go. If your mighty speed doesn't do the trick, you can count on passers-by smiling and commenting on your incredible cuteness to distract your mama. Then run like the wind!
To the forest, of course. On a hot day, it's nice to be outside - in the shade.
But do not let your mama take the stick away. Make it a reoccurring theme.
Oh, this way? (notice the continuing stick theme)
It is important to be sure to choose your stick wisely - large enough that everyone can see, but not so heavy that it gets annoying to carry it around.
Because there really are only so many times that mama will pick it up. Unless you make this face:
Or this one:
Maybe this one:
Or if it's getting serious and you really want that stick one more time, bust out this one:
Just a little free Dale advice.
Forest Park is really lovely. So green, a running stream that I can drink from and wet the paws in, and an awfully nice trail.
Amidst all of this natural beauty, do check back every once in awhile to make sure that your mama is still there. It's tougher for the 2 leggers than it is for us with the 4-wheel drive.
Ah, but it is beautiful.
But back to the important things.
STICK ACTION!
All of the hiking makes me thirsty. Remember this great fountain?
Well what we somehow never noticed before is that rather than me having to get onto my hind legs and drink like a human, there is a doggie-level hole in the bottom.
Silly us.
Cool, refreshing, AND at doggie height. AWESOME.
Here is something odd that we noticed on the way home - yet another thing that we somehow have walked past many times and didn't notice. A great philosophical question indeed - Which came first, the hydrant or the tree?
You keep thinking about that. I'm off to grab a bagel.
Love,
Bogart
