RIP Bogcedes

Aw, shucks Bogcedes. We've had a LOT of good times together.

I was pretty sad that mama said we'd have to sell the Bogcedes. It was dad's car, and I always felt safe either riding in the navigator's seat or in the back as the CEO. Always felt safe with dad at the wheel, and then got used to mama driving. But apparently it was old and got very sick and decided to not start up anymore. That was when selling the Bogcedes morphed into donating the Bogcedes.

Of course we decided to donate it to an animal-related charity - and we know that dad would approve.

But we had to hop in one more time...

So that we never forget...

My favorite position - head right in back of dad, juicy schnoz on his neck.

Then sitting back into full CEO position...

Keeping an eye out while mama is driving...

Ah we loved you Bogcedes, and hope that your next owners will love you like dad did (and treat you better than mama did)...

Love,

Bogart

I (Don't) Love a Parade

The Portland Macy's Thanksgiving Parade started in my neighborhood this morning.

While I was at first intrigued, I was ultimately displeased. All of those drummers were hurtin' my ears.

Even though we tried to go around it, we just couldn't get away fast enough.

Crazy costumes, loud noises, and lots of people. Oh goody goody gumdrops. Get me outa here!

Lets do a little more walking around NW Portland, shall we? It's a lovely day - an unexpectedly sunny one - so I'm up for a long walk.

All of the windstorms we've been having have been GREAT. Can you guess why?

Wind = STICKS

Oh, can I have that fine stick you've got there mama?

PLEEEEEEEEEEEZE...

This one is quite lovely. Portable size, yet large enough to keep up appearances. And so tasty too!

I've just got to do a little more work on this end, and then I'll be ready to walk again. You don't mind waiting, do you mama? OF COURSE YOU DON'T.

Love,

Bogart

Ladybug, Ladybug

A package arrived... and I wasn't expecting a package. It's from Maggie and Mitch!

Aw, this was definitely for mama - it made her cry and she wouldn't let me eat it so it must be - chock full of ladybugs!

And inside... one beautiful ladybug that reminds her of Klaus. She loves it, loves it, LOVES it!

Mama sends her love and I send some BIG AIRE KISSES to Maggie, Mitch and their mama!

Love,

Bogart

In the Key of... Damnit!

Mama's morning didn't start out that well. Morning walkie? Fine. Weather? Slightly raining, but only on her head so that wasn't so bad. We arrived back at our apartment. Mama got ready to go to the work place that I just cannot understand, handed me a treat and walked out.

Then she put her key into the lock to turn it to lock me and the kitties safely inside. And that's when her hand should have stopped turning - except that it didn't. What she described to me later as a "sick pit of the stomach kind of feeling". Since mama hasn't stepped up her upper-body workout routine, it was simply the crunch of her key breaking off in the lock.

This my friends, is what a key looks like without it's business end:

And for comparison, what the key looked like before it's adventure...

Yes, she was able to get it fixed. Luckily (luckily?!?) the locksmith was able to grab the remains of the key from deep inside the lock. Much less fuss that way. But not exactly a great way to start off a day.

Love,

Bogart

Tears in Rain

Mama has been sad. I've been working overtime to do everything I can to make her smile, but some days she's just too tough a customer. Luckily it has been raining a lot lately, so if she cries out in public it could easily look like she's just getting rained on rather than that her eyes are leaking. I think this is an excellent strategy.

I too do my part to provide moisture for the fine plants of Portland.

But I must think of something funny to do to snap her out of this dark mood... follow me mama!

Spot the Dale!

Look at me mama! Can you see me? Can you? Can you?

Ha - made you laugh (a little). I'll take that!

Love,

Bogart

Worldwide Moment for Miss Snickers

From Fergie & Jake's blog:

Before you read

We ask you to please help spread this message as quickly and as far as you can

So as many dogs and cats and families as possible

Can read it prior to 5:00 PM, Saturday, 14 Nov 09, Iowa Time

(11:00 PM, 14 Nov 09 GMT)

Copy it.

Paste it.

Link to it.

Whatever.

Just please help us get the message out.

As you may know

Miss Snickers is struggling

Mightily

Along with her family.

(The best place to keep up with updates is her Gussie’s blog.)

Last night looked as if it might have been her last.

This morning she rebounded with improved symptoms.

She is far from out of the woods

But she and her family

Including her gentle and loving brother Butchy

Have been granted another day.

We can’t help but believe

that part of the improvement is because of

The support and love that have surrounded her

From all around the world

Thanks to the linked paws

Of her blogging friends.

The Power of the Paw

We are asking everyone to set your alarms

And at exactly 11:00 PM GMT on Saturday 14 Nov 09

(Go to this link to find what time that is for you)

5:00 PM Saturday evening in Iowa

as Snickers' family sits down to eat

Turn toward them (in the central USA)

And join together in a silent minute

Of prayer, meditation, contemplation, reflection

Whatever feels right to you.

Followed by whatever means of communication

You choose.

Arrooing

Barking

Howling

Yipping

Yapping

Wooing

Meowing

Mewing

Purring

To wish and send Miss Snickers and her family

whatever is in your hearts

That will help them feel the Love and Support

They need right now.

Personally, we’ll be praying for a Miracle.

Then

Blow a Kiss

and send your Love and Prayers and Best Wishes

to Miss Snickers and her Family

and they will feel their arrival

in the breeze.

OK?

We believe it will help.

And we'll do anything in our power right now

To help.

Love,
Bogart

Some Enchanted Evening

When mama gets home from work, the first thing I do is smother her in kisses (she needs 'em!). This also gently reminds her that it's time for my evening walkie and poop-a-thon. It's dark out there at night now, so I have to protect mama on our walks more so than usual. That also means less photography - at night, mama's camera takes photos like this:

Ever-so-slightly off color and slightly more pixelated than usual. Not really ideal. But what are we waiting for mama, LETS WALK!

Love,

Bogart

Happy Veterans Day

A fantastic link - videos of soldiers returning home to their ecstatic canines:

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

Happy Veterans Day!

Love,

Bogart

Disturbed Migration

Geese. And seagulls. A gazillion of them. All over the waterfront.

Guess how many Airedales it takes to move a flock of geese...

Enquiring minds NEED to know...

One!

Fly off my friends, in search of warmer climes.

Love,

Bogart

Land of the Atomic Booty Scratch

Stanley's mama is an EXCELLENT booty scratcher. And chin-action giver. And present chooser. But I have talents too...

Yes I will allow you to try to teach me about sticks. I will even play the eager student.

Until you drop it and I place the mighty Paw of Doom upon it. Then it's mine.

Catch me if you can!

Oh Miss Lisa, mama and I had SUCH A GOOD TIME with you, and we're sorry that we couldn't spend more time together while you were here in Portland. I hope you know that all of those times I tried to tackle you as well as the times I would grumble meant that I was showing you LOVE and APPRECIATION, even when it may not have seemed that way.

And thanks for all of the chin action and the introduction to the true atomic booty scratch. Obviously mama has been doin' it wrong all of this time, and she learned something too.

Give my love to Stanley and Stella! And of course a little extra somethin' for Merv.

Love,

Bogart

Gooberstan in Portland

Well, almost! Stella and Stanley's mama Lisa is here in Portland for a visit! AND SHE BROUGHT GIFTS...

She and mama hit it off like a house on fire. I've been excited since the moment I laid eyes (and paws) on her.

But back to more important things, MY NEW TOYS. In addition to the Chuck-a-Duck, I also have a spanking new stuffed vulture that makes a VERY satisfying sound when chomped.

I know that the photos aren't my finest work, but mama's camera is ill-equipped to take photos in low light. So low light and constant-action shots look like this:

We're both looking forward to more fun and frivolity as she's here for a few days. Woo-hoo!

And a little note for Stella and Stanley - I have received the beginnings of the famous atomic booty scratch and it's AWESOME

Love,

Bogart

November 2nd

Full Moon + All Souls Day + Dia de los Muertos + Mama's Birthday = November 2nd.

Mama didn't want to celebrate this year. She wasn't feeling in the spirit. And as much as she likes cake, she didn't want to eat a whole cake by herself. So she didn't really tell anyone that today was her birthday.

Yet somehow the world found out. And as much as she wasn't "into it", all of the love that has come her way has made her SMILE. Through email, Facebook, and phone, the world decided that damnit, today was her birthday and damnit, she's special.

I mean, I know that she's special. And I insisted on four walks today because she was home (no reason for her to be sitting at home by herself on such a lovely day) to emphasize her special-ness. So I did my part. But I just wanna thank all of you who helped me out - you made her a happy gal.

Love,

Bogart

Making Mama Smile

I have spent this past week taking care of mama. She's been unhappy. Today is 8 months since dad has been gone, and well, she's just had a crappy week all around. So today I assumed my position in back seat (my "CEO spot") and insisted that we go out to have some fun.

Can you spot the handsome Dale in this photo?

Yep, I'm "guarding the car" while she runs into the grocery store. I'm not complaining, she always comes out with a bottle of water and some treats for me which usually means we're going for some sort of walkie.

In trying to keep mama amused, I saw this large stick. You may call it a tree, but to me it's just a super-sized stick.

Check it out mama, I'm going to bring this home to add to my awesome stick collection.

First let me get it into a more manageable piece.

Mmm. Tasty. Not very portable, though. This one may have to stay.

So we made a stop at a new pet store in our neighborhood, Nature's Pet on NW 21st. Wowza! They have quite the selection of awesome treats and food. I was transfixed.

I checked out the place from top to bottom, because mama said I could have a treat. But what to get? I've even looked through all of the kitty stuff.

Mmm. This was the bone I chose. And I've got to say that I'm pleased.

This has been a week full of leaves. Yellow ones, brown ones, red ones, all over the place. It makes things a little slippery, even for a gentleman with four-wheel drive such as myself.

So you can imagine how much slipping and sliding the humans do. I'm working hard on not pulling mama too much, I can't afford for her to hurt herself out here. I need my walkies!

See, I'm thinking of YOUR WELFARE mama...

Ah, this fine stick is large enough for my personal taste as well as portable enough to get into my apartment. That'll work.

But wait - what is that in your hand mama?

Ooh, I'll take that one!!!

Hey lookie here - BASSET HOUNDS!!! And there are two of them!!!

I don't think I've been able to sniff a Bassett before - what a cutie. And what a great howl they have!

So today is 8 months since dad has been gone. We miss him like crazy. Mama and I were sitting on our bed, talking about him, and we looked onto our window and saw this:

See that large, odd-looking black thing? That was a ladybug. In our apartment. On our window. As we were talking about dad. My big, badass dad. ANOTHER ladybug sighting.

Love you dad, wherever you are, and thanks for sending the ladybugs...

Love,

Bogart