Stop and Smell Everything

Finally... a slogan that I can fully get behind.

We should all take a few moments out of our busy day, every day, during every walkie, to stop and smell EVERYTHING.  This has always been my philosophy.  There is no better way to get to know your surroundings, who's doing what (and where), than this. 

So go out today and SMELL EVERYTHING

You're welcome, fellow doggies.

Love,

Bogart

Sandy, Sandy, Sandy

Oh, Sandy.   You scared all but the mightiest away here in Center City.

But I am intrepid, if nothing else.  Perhaps a little swashbuckling.  Aw hell, I just really like to poop in the park and do not mind getting wet, so LETS GO

I thought I would swing by my usual hangouts, but horror of horrors, THE DOG STORE IS CLOSED

Sandy, HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?

I come here almost every day for a treat and some window shopping.  They are really nice to me and know me by name.  But today, this.

Really, Sandy?  Such an indignity?  HOW COULD YOU?

STAY SAFE EVERYONE!

Love,

Bogart

Chillin at Petee's Lounge

So... this heatwave thing stinks  This humidity thing stinks.  It's way too hot here in Philadelphia.  If only there were a place that a boy could get a tasty cold drink...

Hey look - it's PETEE'S LOUNGE!

Petee is a bulldog.  It's too damn hot outside for Petee.  So his dads thought it might be too damn hot outside for other doggies too.  Mama and Petee's dads had a great talk about doggies and our special heat needs while I helped myself.

While I have seen water bowls scattered around the city, this was the BEST:

Yep.  This wasn't your ordinary stale-stagnant-half-empty-kinda-gross water bowl.  No siree.  This one had cool water flowing down from inside their house to replace the water that us fine fellas are drinking.  GENIUS

Thanks Petee!  And Petee's dads!

Love,

Bogart

Hangin' 20

That's right, full-on, four-footed surfin'!

Yes, this is the window of my favorite store - Just Dogs Bakery.  They always have fantastic window displays - this one works in some fab flowers from the Philadelphia Flower Show - along with a dog who is catching some big waves.

Doggles too, of course.  And check out that Hawaiian collar and bikini!  HUBBA HUBBA

Love,

Bogart

You Know It's Cold Outside...

When even the mighty Airedale WANTS to wear his sweatshirt.

When posing for majestic photos, even a large, juicy stick cannot contain one's attention.

When the penguin statues begin to appear.

That's right, I said PENGUIN STATUES

And when it gets so cold that photos of my adorable butt look like paintings.  Welcome (finally) winter!

Love,

Bogart

Here We Go a Strudel-ing

The Christmas Village has moved from City Hall over to Love Park - and we almost missed it!

There's a big Xmas tree, the giant macaroni-and-cheese noodle, and lots of German specialties.  The tree kind of freaked me out.

To get into the proper spirit I tried to yodel - which I could tell was appreciated by all as they turned their heads toward me and clutched their children closer to themselves.

YOU'RE WELCOME PHILADELPHIA

It's a very cool setup, with lots of small gingerbread-house-type stalls selling all sorts of lovely and yummy things.

You should go full-on traditional I think.  The folks selling earrings and scarves (and burritos), yeah well, that just didn't seem as in the spirit as it could have been.  And it was freezing cold today for the first time this year - I wasn't allowed into the come-inside-and-get-warm-with-some-hot-alcoholic-beverages tent - so really, go with the fun traditional stuff.

Hey, what's that?

Austrian strudel - MMMMMMMMMMM

Yeah, that's right.  Dogs don't generally eat apfel strudel.  But I'm not just any dog, and since my dad was from Austria I AM ALLOWED TO EAT APFEL STRUDEL.  It was tasty indeed, not as good as mama has had actually in Austria, but still yummo.  Don't let one bite go to waste!

Love,

Bogart

The Street Spiderman Scarecrow

Spider-Scarecrow, Spider-Scarecrow... does whatever a Spider-scarecrow does.

Can he swing?  From a fence...

No, he can't.  He's stuffed with garbage...

LOOK OUT

Here comes the Spider-Scarecrow!

Love,

Bogart

Paint Torch (with Bogart and Claes Oldenburg)

So mama told me that there was this artist - a very important artist - who would be having a big opening of his newest project, right here in Center City.  You can always count on me to attend such things as the potential for Airedmiration is HIGH.

And oh yes, the worship started early.

The artwork is Claes Oldenburg's "Paint Torch".  It's at PAFA.  And supposedly it lights up.  And supposedly the artist is going to be here.  And yes, I am a ROCKSTAR and taking attention away from the artist because no one else was smart enough to bring their Airedale along to an art opening.

Not really kidding, actually.

Oh wait, are they going to fire up this sucker?  Maybe I'll saunter over to watch.

A little education is always a good thing...

This is me AND Claes Oldenburg.  Sadly mama managed to mangle the photo a bit.  Lets try that again.

In the meantime, I managed to get a head pat and a "nice dog" from the artist.  So now I've got my semi-smug, oh yeah you wish you were me right now face on.

This was the very first moment that they lit up the top.  Kind of like firing up the Xmas tree.  Lots of cheers and excitement...

I watched from a respectable distance so as not to take anything away from the artist on his special day because everyone was paying so much attention to me.

Did you notice the paint plop at the bottom?  I did.  And speaking as someone who produces his own artful plops daily I say, GOOD JOB CLAES.

 

Love,

Bogart

Water-y Goodness

Damn, it's hot here.  This humidity thing is kicking my butt.  This summer is my first real, full summer full 'o humidity and honestly, I don't like it much.  Never thought I'd say it, but thank goodness for my aire conditioner, my own personal fans in each room, and a shady, cool spot in the grass.

We do try to explore a lot - you know, taking side streets, walking on both sides of the street, different routes back and forth to my parks.  And so we've seen a lot of interesting things.  But sometimes we miss something - something so very important and amazing that we wonder if we actually have eyes.

This dog and horse water fountain is right outside of Washington Square park.  We come here every single day.  And until today we NEVER EVEN SAW IT.

I wish I could say that it was hidden, out of sight, or disguised as something else, but no.  It's right out in the open and both mama and I didn't see it.  And it's DELISH...

Now that I know it's here we will visit on a regular basis.  And it's good to know that when my personal stash of water runs out during a long walkie (mama always carries a bottle of water for me on every walkie) that there is cold, tasty water available for me.  Thanks again, Philadelphia!

Love,

Bogart

Staycation...

Mama has a few days off from that "work" thing she goes to on a regular basis - happiness for me because now rather than the paltry 2 1-hour walks per day I am in a position to demand at least 3. Really, could you resist this face?

Yeah, we have been saddling up for 3 full walkies per day.  It's really warm and sunny here, which tires us both, but that's no excuse for not walking.  I am also not a big fan of just sitting outside, so even if I'm draggin' my butt along, I want to walk.

And jump (when there are either sticks or cookies involved).

And I always like to keep sharp on my stickwork.

Especially as the larger sticks are getting harder to find here in the city (so many people are amazed at the fact that I find giant sticks here "in the big city" but hey, there are parks and trees everywhere!).

This is a nice size.  Long and light, well-balanced, few to no bumpy protrusions, and of course, portability.

Looks impressive, eh?  Piece of cake.

This is the face I bust out when mama starts to head for home.  Again - it makes no difference if I am already tired and/or hot.  As much as I enjoy sitting in front of my fan while chillin' at home (yes, I have my very own floor fan set up perfectly in front of my bed) going outside is the best.

Yeah, resistance is futile.  You humans can't help it.  My levels of cuteness are just too strong.  Don't fight it, GO WITH IT

Just follow me mama, I know the long way home.

Aiming straight ahead, eyes focused on taking the longest route home (as well as brain focused on passing as many doggie stores as possible within the current route), and of course chompers focused on keeping the stick at a level which can give me the widest swath of sidewalk.

See lazy mama?  You could be taking the train if you were walking alone.  But there's no reason for that, I am here to help keep you in shape.  I think that deserves a (dog) cookie, don't you?

Love,

Bogart