I am not a Poodle

But I DO love them...

Especially the girlie poodles. I am also not a doodle-anything or anything-doodle. Despite the fact that many humans have never seen anything as cute as me and most assume that I am a "something"-doodle.

With another day of sunshine promised by the weatherman, we thought we'd get in a full day of walking - so it's off to the eastside!

On the eastside walkie, one of my favorite places is this parking lot. It has a spectacular pine tree which always produces the most excellent cones in large numbers.

I can catch a few, and relax for a moment to contemplate the rest of my walkie.

And of course I can get in a little exercise - you know, circuit training...

A little back and forth, side to side action.

Some flexibility training...

And some cardio.

Then a few moments of relaxation.

Before we head out to Laurelhurst Park!

Come on mama, you're lagging behind!

Pond is still green, still full of ducks and geese.

And Airedales posing majestically.

We will definitely miss this park. While a little far away from where we live, it's always worth the walkie.

And of course the folks who put out the free bucket of doggie water.

Thank you Portland for a great summer day!

Love,

Bogart

Mama-Son Day

In anticipation of Mother's Day, mama and I decided to have a "Mother-Sun" Day - on Saturday. The weather was going to be cooperative (first day without the threat of rain in awhile!), so she rented a car for the whole entire day (instead of a few hours like usual) and we set off to spend the day together!

First we had to fortify a bit - so a pit stop at Panera Bread for an indulgent croissant...

That's right everyone, she's MY MAMA and we are enjoying a croissant together on our special day. EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT!

Then it was off to a place I haven't been in way too long - Mt. Tabor! The volcano that ISN'T breaking down European air travel.

We brought some snacks, some water, and a blankie but first we had to earn our little picnic by walking around and around all the way up to the top. I visit the local salad bar on the way.

Ah, it's so darned pretty out here today. Green, lush, warm and lovely.

Yes thank you, I will take a little time to relax and watch the world around me. This is perched at the top of a very long flight of concrete stairs on top of the volcano. So after you work your butt off, YOU SHOULD RELAX.

But there are PINE CONES up here at the top - so no relaxing just yet!

See? Pine cone residue. FUN FUN FUN

They fall from the sky, from the great trees here in the Northwest.

And what other great things can you find on the top of a volcano on a lovely spring day? AIREDALES! This is Ollie, and we've never met before.

I am VERY envious of his major disco pants (dad's name for the super-furry paws) as I have never been able to grow lush, substantial ones myself.

He's a handsome devil, and we had a really great time running around together - catch you again sometime Ollie!

Now... What is this? Bonus points if you can guess before you scroll down.

I had no idea either, so we went in for closer inspection.

It's a giant ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLE. Um, of course. It is placed on the acupuncture point name Open Water and on the meridan Lung.

I thought it might need a little lubrication after being stuck in one spot for so long. So I did my part for public art (yet again).

The giant acupuncture needle generates a lot of attention - it's got to be 25-30 feet tall - lots of people and doggies were stopping to check it out. From what I saw, no one knew what it was so if you didn't guess you are in good company.

Snacks aren't always enough. We needed lunch. And I needed a bucket of water.

It's been a really long time since we've been here to the Hawthorne Fish House. This was one of dad's favorite Portland places, he was a big fan of their cod fish and chips. Mama likes the gardenburger, and we all go nuts for the fries. Luckily there was a spot at an outdoor table, so we settled in for a big treat.

Just like we always used to do, mama "fed" dad some of her fries because he would always finish his first. So we did a little tribute to you, dad. You'll be happy to know that I got to eat all of "dad's" fries. And from what I hear the gardenburger was delicious.

Not content to walk in one park when we had a car for a whole day, lets visit another:

This is really one of the best days ever - park after park after park...

We need to have Mother-Son day much more often, I'm thinking like every weekend. A boy could get used to this.

It was so lovely there were even turtles out catching some sun!

Oh Laurelhurst Park, you never disappoint me.

So here's some love for ALL of the mother's out there - human, canine, feline, whatever - give your mama a big extra special Aire Kiss this weekend!!!

Love,

Bogart

Woop Woop

Laurelhurst Park... I know that we come here often, but I need to tell you how much I love you. We actually walk for almost 2 hours each time just to get here, and then another 2 hours before we are home. I really, really love coming here.

Worth the walk if you ask me.

Of course it doesn't hurt that there are pine cones 'a plenty everywhere.

In fact, I've already found a few. These are smaller than the ones in my neighborhood, all the better to fit more into my mouth.

Playing with the cones is great fun of course, but it also buys me a few precious minutes of rest. When I want it. Mama and I seem to never want to rest at the same times during these marathon walkies...

But I'm cuter so I usually win!

I mean, I let her win sometimes, but I don't want to spoil her...

We all need a tasty beverage every once in awhile. Today I shall consume almost a liter of water during this walkie! From my own cup, of course.

There are also sticks 'a plenty here at Laurelhurst Park. Mama says it's all the better to distract me from the no-leash area where I'm not allowed to go (apparently I don't come back when I'm called if I'm off lead... oh well, we can't be perfect)...

Sticks and Cones and Springtime = THIS TONGUE

The pond is still green with an algae bloom, and today seemed to be a day for duck-love. We watched several duck boys fighting it out for the best duck girlies, and also several who seem to have already found their partners...

On the way home, we spotted yet another "only in Portland" things. This one in a tree on a street near the park.

Aw... what a cool sign! And those plastic carrots are filled with dog bones!!!

Thank you "the cats"!!! That really hit the spot.

And the big bowl of water wasn't too shabby either.

This was a very cool cat... up on a raised, ivy-covered area near this house... about 4 feet up. He came over, purring, wanting mama to give him a head scratch and I got so excited that I leaped up the 4 foot wall to say hello. Apparently this is the first time this has ever happened to him because he acted quite shocked - running away rather quickly. No worries my black furry friend, I really do love kitties and I promise that I suffered a bit when it came time to jump down (that ivy is pesky).

Mama - from across the street. Apparently she was just testing out the zoom on her camera. Seems to work!

Spunky Monkey - we almost stopped, just based on the name alone, but by this time we were tired and just wanted to get home. Another time, perhaps.

I am sure that this sentiment - scrawled onto an electrical box outside of a high school - means something. Something different to everyone who reads it. Something different to everyone who needs it. I know that I needed a little Woop Woop to get through the last 30 minutes of my walkie today, so thanks teenage vandal!

One last cool shot before we get home and crash - from the Broadway Bridge...

Love,

Bogart