The Streets of NW

On the weekends, mama and I enjoy exploring different neighborhoods. When we're not doing errands, of course (that translates to she runs in and out of a lot of stores and I guard the car - not terribly exciting). Sometimes just going down one extra street makes a "normal" walk different.

When we're walking down NW 23rd, I can never resist going into All For Paws. The people there are super nice and always try to find a treat that I will like. As always, everyone fails, but I do appreciate the effort. For some reason the photos mama took of me exploring inside came out dark and wobbly...

So lets explore parts of NW Portland that we haven't been to before... we had planned to head up toward Forest Park but for some reason we can never find the entrance. So lets just look around the neighborhood and the pretty houses and local flora...

Come on silly biped, KEEP UP!

Yep it's in the 80s again today, awfully pretty but H-O-T.

We really enjoy walking around - no agenda, nowhere to be, just walking until we get tired. And this part of Portland is really lovely.

Notice my "floppers" (dad always called my ears my floppers because of the way they flop when I walk - I guess that's what the humans see as they're pretty much always behind me...). Did I mention that it is hot today? After doing the slow walk, the wasting-time-by-sniffing-something-uninteresting shuffle, and of course the stand-still-and-do-not-move-no-matter-what move, I reminded mama that a boy has to keep hydrated on such a day as this. That's when we both saw it - and the burst of energy resulted in my ears flying in the wind.

How civilized! It's just like my Drinkwell fountain at home.

Delicious. Cold. Refreshing. CIVILIZED.

Sure mama, it's your turn now...

Love,

Bogart

Sunday Morning Bagel-age

The grey skies have returned to Portland - but that is still no reason not to wake up at 7 AM on Sunday so that we can walk to get a Kettleman's toasted, buttered, pumpernickel bagel. First a little water...

I'm oddly parched.

Then - as is my custom - I give mama a big smooch. She calls me Captain Wetbeard in these moments.

Water drunk, smooch given, bagel inhaled. LETS WALK BEFORE IT RAINS!

Love,

Bogart

Who's Afraid of Swine flu?

Not these guys:

AWESOME

When even the swine are wearing masks, you know that the humans are taking it seriously. Don't worry buddy, you won't catch it from me!

If anyone tries to give me swine flu, I will beat them with this stick.

I shall clear a path all the way down NW 23rd - no one shall get close enough to give us swine flu!

Protect and Serve

No one shall get past me - not bacteria, viruses, nor other bugs - with this fine, flu-fighting moss-covered stick.

And how do you tell the world about your new flu-fighting powers? Direct message, of course...

Love,

Bogart

Pizz-aaaaah!

After a very un-sunny start, this evening was actually rather nice. Even though mama still has a sore throat, I had to insist that the evening walkie was substantial.

We thought about stopping at the supermarket - but then discovered that there were some guys outside selling newspapers and they had several dogs with them, who just didn't look friendly. So rather than leaving me outside with them, we walked on. But we still need to eat. If we can't get a frozen pizza, then the real thing will have to do. Lets make an escape - to Escape to New York Pizza on 23rd, shall we?

Mmm... mozzarella. Goodness.

And how about getting back to that substantial walkie? We walked all the way down to the river. They seem to be setting up tents for a Cinqo de Mayo festival (note to self - come back next week for some bueno chow).

A long walkie makes me feel all introspective. Some dogs see the glass as half empty, some dogs see it as half full. I prefer to see the world as a half full ferris wheel:

Yes, half full. Ferris wheel. That'll work.

Lets head home... I didn't get much of that tasty pizza and I think it's time to bust open a can.

Out of my way people! There is green tripe in my immediate future...

Love,

Bogart

Dr. Dre Does Portland

Small but mighty, Dr. Dre wanted to explore Portland. It was freezing cold out today - and as the humans planned to go into some stores and stuff, I had to stay home and "guard the house". Ok not my favorite, but oodles better than "guarding the car"...

Chinatown - Old Town Portland - two tough guys posing.

Grrr... by this time it was COLD - enough photos guys!!!

Dr. Dre got serenaded outside of Powell's Books by a local violin player...

Checked out the pig statues on trendy NW 23rd...

Stopped for a bagel at Kettelman's - notice how my dad carried his table number. Because real men don't carry plastic table numbers, apparently.

Then time for some shopping in Urban Outfitters...

All of this excitement makes Dre a tired boy.

One last stop at the Dapper Cap - yes, this is a tiny hat, not exactly Dre-size but close. I really think these could be a full spread in Dogue:

Now how badass is Dre here?

Just hangin' out...

Ah, finally back home after a quick stop at the Lucky Lab and the Hawthorne Fish House. It's good to be home...

I'm gonna miss ya Dre - can't wait to see you again my friend!

Love,

Bogart

To Aire is Divine

NW Dale

We are off to NW Portland to enjoy some fine fall foliage, visit some cool shops, and maybe have a little lunch. I heartily approve, and hop into my seat in the Bogcedes.

Come on dad... you said we were going...

Luckily once I'm strapped in I can still get my mug out of the window to enjoy a little fresh aire.

This little guy had the same idea - minus the harness - isn't he a cutie? We were stopped at a traffic light and mama and I saw him and thought he was pretty darned adorable.

I have so much to learn about this "fall" thing, also called this "autumn" thing. In Los Angeles this time of year is much different - it's still really hot outside, and there aren't lots of leaves on the ground. I am finding that leaves are a FANTASTIC new experience, a GREAT way to leave and receive pee-mail, and just all-around incredibly coolarama.

NW Portland is a really pretty place, lots of beautiful houses and great places to walk around. I'm leading the way today...

Yup, pick up a few messages, and leave a few.

Isn't the color fantastic?

I'm thinking about starting a website for doggies - Hydrants Around the World - something near and dear to all of us. More as a joke for now, but it would be funny wouldn't it?

These two hydrants look really old-school and very cool, don't they?

All this walking has made me hanker for a little snackie. Hey, I've heard that there is a cool little French cafe in this neighborhood that mama wanted to try... can we find it?

YESSS! It's called St. Honore and it's a lovely little cafe smart enough to have outdoor seating that's just right for doggies.

I wholeheartedly approve of the mozzarella panini that mama and I shared.

On our walk around, we stumbled into (ok, I dragged us into) a store called All for Paws. What a cool shop!

Full of all things doggie, the lovely lady running the shop offered me lots of treats. As I am probably the most picky dog in the entire world and not motivated by treats at all (much to mama's chagrin) the nice lady tried treat after treat after treat - and I wouldn't bite.

She was determined but alas, so was I. I think I just get distracted rather than completely uninterested in the treats that people sometimes offer me - because I do enjoy a good treat from time to time. Maybe I'll bring her some of my Chez Bogart jerky sometime...

A quick drinkie and we're off.

OK Stanley, this is for you and Mz. Stella. I have become very attached to the stuffed Mingo you sent me, it is one of my very favorite toys. I use Mingo to let dad know whenever I need a walkie so yes, he is a daily and dear friend. Today when I was walking, I saw this:

CAFFE MINGO!!! OMDog, I had no idea that Mingo was so talented or that he had inspired so many and in so many ways...

I simply MUST eat here sometime. And I WILL bring Mingo along.

Love,

Bogart

To Aire is Divine

Chez Bogart

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