Something Naughty, Someone Nice

Well, the naughty bit could never be me - that's not really my style.  I mean, others may describe my behavior as naughty, but really, what do they know?  I can bring the full-on naughty if and when I desire, and I choose not to.  I am that good.  So see?  Back to good, all the way round from naughty.

I want to wish everyone happy holidays and the hope that you got all of the sticks and tennis balls you asked for (and to remind you to step away from my stash).

Love,

Bogart

Throwback Thursday

 Ah, so many years ago, when I was a wee lad, mama bundled me up and took me to Petco to have my photo taken with Santa. This was my first year of life, I was only a few months old, and yet the promise of treats was too great a temptation to resist. And so we arrived at Petco with several other doggies and their owners, waiting for the grand arrival of Petco Santa. Would he arrive in a sleigh with eight mighty reindeer? This was LA, he could have arrived in a stretch limo with an entourage. We all waited, and waited, and waited. No Santa (there was a rumor that he was drunk - at 10AM on Sunday when he was supposed to be Santa-ing). The poor employees watched us waiting, many dogs in their Xmas finery, for our chance to tell Santa what we wanted for Xmas while simultaneously trying not to puke in his lap or scratch his eyes out. I'd like to think that they took pity on us, but the truth was probably more like their manager picking on the employee with the least seniority (otherwise known as "the new guy"), handing him a full Santa outfit-in-a-bag, and anointing him Santa. Out he strode, from the employee-only back room, the cheap polyester chafing his crotch and scratching his face (I know this because he kept saying it over and over). There would be only one shot, one chance to catch the gravity of the moment, and all the finery of the holiday season.

And BAM.  Nailed it.  SUPERMODEL.

Love,

Bogart

The Pine Cone Spirit of the Holidays

OK, mama, I will pose with the pretty-lit-up tree.  I won't look directly at you, but I will give an obligatory look-the-dog-is-standing-next-to-something-mildly-interesting look.

BUT WAIT.  The obviously intelligent makers of this tree saw fit to place a large bowl featuring PINE CONES in the center.  Just far enough away that I can see and admire them, but cannot chomp them.

Although I am actively considering it.  Really actively considering it.  Perhaps once the holidays are over, I can make my move...

Love,

Bogart

What's Up Bogie?

Miss me?  I missed you!

I know that I haven't posted in awhile, and I apologize.  I've gotten all of your emails and messages... and thank you for your concern!  I've been busy, mama was a little "out of it", and the cherry on the sundae, our old camera died.  Mama tried to continue by posting a few grainy cell phone photos on my Facebook page, but lo, it is not the same.  But thank goodness for grandmas because mine bought us a new one for Xmas!

So exactly what was I up to?  Posing for potentially-embarrassing holiday photos...

Making sure that mama knows how much I love her...

Getting presents while pretending to still be interested in this holiday-photo-thing...

I got a super spiffy new coat from my pal Max (you should check out his book, Life to the Max, I have it and it is very inspirational!) which I am wearing with pride.  It's very cozy, fits me really well, I really like it.

Lots of long walkies, a warm coat, and STICKS.  As you can see, I'm doing pretty darned well.

Time to head off now, get back on the blogging track, pick up those 2010 sticks and RUN!

Love,

Bogart

Lighting Up the Aire

Woo-hoo! More Xmas trees! Tonight we actually made it in time for the lighting of the Love Park tree. We missed the City Hall one by a few minutes, but it was in full flower when we got there so... And I'm pleased to report that these two are much nicer than the all-white one I saw earlier this week.

Just across the street, in front of City Hall, is the source of a lot of recent controversy here in Philly. The Christmas Village. An outdoor group of vendors - food, wine, presents of all kinds - it's really lovely. But apparently lots of people in their hyper-PC-ness wanted to call it the Holiday Village, and the sign was taken down. Well now it's back up again, and after walking through it I can say really folks, it is set up as a Christmas-type area (Santa is there), so don't get your panties all in a bunch. Anyone and everyone can walk around, see lovely handmade things, and enjoy a glass of mulled wine.

Even dogs.

Although this guy looked a little shifty to me.

I couldn't go inside the food and drink areas so I cannot attest to their yumminess, but lots of happy, satisfied humans coming out so that's a good sign.

Yeah, mama's camera doesn't do justice to things shot in low light or at night. Most of the pictures come out like this one. But just squint your eyes and you'll see the loveliness...

And, somehow, mama managed to make the newspaper with her heroic quote about the whole thing - "Oh, who cares?". Yep, that's my mama...

Love,
Bogart

Tree Lighting?

We arrived at Rittenhouse Square Park tonight, bright-eyed (mama) and bushy-tailed (me). There was supposed to be a tree-lighting ceremony, and while our timing meant we'd miss most of the pageantry, we still decided it was a good idea to go.

Well, there are lots of plain, white lights around the park. In a semi-holiday-ish fashion. Arranged with no particular care.

But then again there was this - a crane still working to place lights on the tree, at least an hour-and-a-half after the tree was to be unveiled. And again, all white lights. Not super creative, not super festive there Philly. Didn't even really catch this dog's eye. Of course I still pooped in the park, but I was expecting a bit more.

We may try some of the other holiday trees around town, in a never-ending search for cool twinkly lights (to poop by).

Love,
Bogart

Merry Christm-aire-s

Mama and I decided to do something a little different this year - rather than opening all of our Christmas cards as they arrived, we thought it would be fun to open them all during the opening of the presents on Christmas morning - so we could ooh and aah over all of the cool cards that our DWB buddies sent to us from all over the world.

It was hard not to open the cards as they arrived, but mama was good about keeping them all in a nice pile while we waited for the 25th. And it was totally worth it - we thought about you all as we opened the envelopes and the emails!!!

The kitties could not control themselves, they were totally fascinated with all of the cards.

Orange tabbies in particular seem to have an unhealthy preoccupation with card destruction. Perhaps we should try to distract them?

This is WIllie - he is the kitty that came to live with us after his mama died. He's doing really well and is a part of our furry family now.

Check out this cool toy that I got - he is a rubber pig!!! - and most importantly, he SQUEAKS!!! I think I'm gonna name him Bacon...

Aw, and some good stuff to chomp on. I was originally far more interested in the package that held these wag'n wraps, and destroyed it promptly. I do think that Bacon and I will become best friends, however.

Hehehe - the Bogie Stogie

The kitties got something special too - a packet of Feline Greenies!!! And so, without further ado, I introduce the furry chorus:

Sekhmet, the black Siamese girlie...

Kafka, the orange shorthaired tabby boy...

Behemoth, the grey and white "spotto gato" boy...

Willie, the long haired orange tabby boy...

And Aeon, the brown tabby girl.

Merry Christmas everydog! Hope you all got LOTS of great presents - BIG AIRE KISSES to all of you and your families!!!

Love,

Bogart

To Aire is Divine

Chez Bogart

Mamma Mia

Xmas was awfully nice - presents all around for me and the kitties!

My favorite one was from my Grandma Bunny (she's not a real bunny, but she's my honey!) - it was some peanut butter treats from Three Dog Bakery. Mmm-mmm-good Grandma, you sure can pick good presents!!!

My buddy Stanley put up a great post with some cool info about his mom awhile ago - we were asked to do the same. But it's odd, mom is always the one HOLDING the camera, not IN FRONT OF the camera, and it can be difficult to get dad to hold the camera because, well, he's not super-talented at it (he loses interest - kind of like me - see the video below for the proof).

So I think we'll be posting little videos with more mom in 'em since she cannot figure out anything that's particularly cool about herself to post. She really does exist! And those opposable thumbs of hers do come in handy.

Today we did a little stickwork which I was certainly happy for since they left me home all by myself for hours ON CHRISTMAS DAY after the present extravaganza to go to the movies. And mom, exactly WHO goes to see a movie like Sweeney Todd on Christmas Day??? I guess that's a good description of my mom (she's a BIG Tim Burton fan, and oh does she like that Johnny Depp guy...).

Love,

Bogart

The Light Festival

Tonight mom, dad, and I took a walk through Griffith Park to see the DWP Light Festival

A little tough to read, but it clearly says NO ANIMALS. To that I say..... harumph!

So we walked right on through. I AM NOT AN ANIMAL, I AM AN AIREDALE!!!

The lights are cool but the music is cheesy and a little too loud for my taste. And it was really windy which made it kind of cold and lots of dust was blowing in my face. But there were lots of folks driving by (most people drive through it rather than walk, and mom and I have driven through it in past years) and admiring me so that helped.

This car full of Santa's clearly got the Airedale Admiration memo. I'm gonna have to remember that for next time, riding in a convertible would be the BEST way to do the festival!

Have a FANTASTIC Christmas everyone!!!

Big Aire Kisses,

Bogart

To Aire is Divine