Year of the Tiger... Cat

Kafka is particularly excited about today beginning the Year of the Tiger... you can just FEEL the excitement...

It is the Year of the Tiger Cat - Belly

Tiger Cats are the tubbiest sign on the zodiac, methodical in their purrsuit of food (especially from other cats' plates), intelligent deep inside that they choose to hide with a somewhat goofy demeanor. They sleep more than any other astrological sign because they are deep thinkers and imaginative players. They rarely jump and miss, for their internal upward-motion calculator is top-notch. Catnip can be a problem if they overindulge. They can be possessive of items they deem to be their own (if someone else is sitting on or playing with it). But more of a lover than a fighter.

I too am celebrating the Year of the Tiger - Cat with my favorite tiger striped blanket. If I'm not sleeping on mama, I'm sleeping on this.

Happy New Year everyone!

Love,

Bogart

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Welcome Year of the Tiger!!!

Love,

Bogart & Lulu

Threat of Rain

The threat of rain here in Portland is pretty much constant. That is no reason to stay indoors, or to deny yourself a leisurely 5-hour walkie. At the risk of getting boring, mama and I again walked to Laurelhurst Park, despite the grey skies.

Now you see me...

Now you (almost) don't.

The trees are a bit bare, but there are still patches of green everywhere. Part of the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

But I'm a bit too busy to slow down and appreciate nature at all times. Especially when nature calls!

While mama was waiting for me to finish pooping, she looked up and took this photo. Those trees are amazing...

And now for a little hide-and-go-seek. Spot the Dale!

Now lets get serious. There are cones here everywhere. BUT THESE ARE MINE

They're tasty and they belong to me. I have carried them for some time now.

If I can't scare off any potential interlopers then I'll just turn on the charm.

That works every time.

Love,

Bogart

Talk to the Paw

You know how sometimes the humans just cannot stop talking? Way too much yapping and not enough belly scratching? I have come up with a solution.

Paw to the head. Works like a charm.

Got mama to stop talking almost immediately. Of course it doesn't hurt that my mighty paw is almost the size of her entire face.

And if they try to move the mighty paw? Well, you can play that game too. Just dig in your toes so that they don't want to move for fear of their eyes. Trust me, they like their eyes too much to move.

Be sure to keep your paw there for awhile - so that they LEARN when it is ok to yap and when it isn't. No bark collar required!

This has been a public service message from Bogart Handsome Devil. You may now recline and resume your belly scratching.

Love,

Bogart

The Portland Globetrotter

Lunchtime! Sun! Fun! And BASKETBALL!!!

This is Woody's dad. He and Woody come out to play a little basketball when the weather is nice - and today it was cold but beautiful. I offered to show him a few of my moves...

Which mostly involve methods of stealing the ball from whoever currently has it.

And then trying to chomp on it.

I busted out a few of my finer tricks...

And then showed him how it's done when you're playing against The BogTrotter...

I play for real - no pussyfooting around - I will try to steal that ball with all of my fuzzy might.

Get behind him Woody - distract him! - good work, NOW I CAN STEAL THAT BASKETBALL...

Love,

Bogart

Terriers Dig Holes

As much as I want to take credit for this bad boy, it was pre-dug and probably not by a dog.

That little fact didn't slow me down though - I have to hop in and investigate

And of course add a little personal touch of my own - some extra digging. Having a big hole like this inspires me, as all great artists get inspired. Dirt is my preferred medium, and I paint with my wide paw-brush.

Bwahahahaha... my newest creation!

Oh, can't take it with us can we mama? It will have to stay in situ? And we probably can't sell it. Hm. How about these tasty sticks then?

Yes, these are portable art - I can take them with me anywhere. And I plan to take them home to add to my permanent collection.

Love,

Bogart

S-S-S Saturday Night...

And the chicken soup is flying!

I'm sure I've shown you this, but all you doggies you should really get your humans to start cooking for you if they don't already. My mama cannot cook ANYTHING (dad was the good cook in our family) but somehow, she makes a mean chicken soup for me. EVERY NIGHT. Chicken, rice, and veggies. Keeps my digestive system humming and my poop just perfect.

Oh what to do, what to do. All of the daily walkies are already accomplished, and while I'm always up for more adventure, mama probably isn't. While she's cleaning up, I guess I'll just have a little rest here on the bed...

What is that, mama? There's a DOG SHOW on TV tonight... COUNT ME IN! Gotta cheer on my fellow Airedale and all of the terriers... oh, it's on NOW - FANTASTIC!

And of course the Terrier Group will be coming up second to last. In a three-hour dog show. Wake me when the Terrier group is announced, ok mama?

Ooo... THE AIREDALE - Lucas is a very fine looking boy, isn't he?

Check out that run, head high, tail just so... you just KNOW he sees someone in the audience that he wants to pounce on.

You are a fine specimen of the King of Terriers my friend, and I am pleased that you took one for the team with all of that grooming. Looking REALLY good...

Other dogs just run about, but Airedales THINK. I wonder what is going through Lucas' fuzzy head right about now:

And amazingly for me - Lucas took third in the Terrier group!!! I've never watched a dog show where the Dale was even pulled out for a second look - NICE WORK LUCAS!!!

Now I can sleep. Party animals that we are.

Love,

Bogart

Enter the Dragon-Klaus

A wonderful tribute to an amazing man - who LOVED HIS BEER. Tonight at the Green Dragon, a special keg of Vienna lager was brewed and consumed and Klaus' name. Bogart couldn't be there, so I brought Bogart's mini-me:

This is a glass of Dragon Klaus, the beer of the evening. The picture is dark, but it's number 7 on the menu.

And yes, in honor of Klaus, I wore his favorite dirndl. How could I not?

Miss you, husband-o. You obviously touched SO MANY PEOPLE AND YOU ARE SORELY MISSED...

Love,

Lulu