The Great Kafkinski

CAT ALERT - CAT ALERT - CAT ALERT

If you can't handle the felines, best to either turn away now or scroll to the bottom as the glorious orange fur will soon be flying.

Ok, everybody gone that needed to leave? It's just us cat lovers now. We now return to our regularly scheduled program.

This is Kafka. He had to go to the vet today because he had a growth under his chin. Mama was worried as it seemed to be growing quickly.

Luckily dad was able to get Kafka into a carrier (and only lost a little bit of blood... not bad, dad) and off to the vet. Some great news - Kafka, as you may have noticed, is a chubby tabby. Mama likes 'em kind of chubby and cuddly. Especially her tabbies. And Kafka is happy to oblige - he's obsessed with his food, and everyone else's as well. Today we found out that he weighs exactly what he weighed at his last vet visit - 16 pounds - so he's kept off a little bit of his chub. The vet was surprised - she said that fat cats usually swing in weight - so Kafka did us proud. Unfortunately his chin was also on the chubby side, and the vet said that it was an abscess - and that's why it was getting so big, so fast. She would drain it with a needle and syringe (and apparently he managed to fill up an entire syringe with the icky stuff that was inside his growth)!

You can see that he got a little shaved under his chin, and that's the spot that the needle did it's work.

So far so good, he's going to get pumped with daily antibiotics and - I'm sure - treats, so here's to hoping that he makes a speedy and full recovery. It's amazing that he's never acted sick at all - I'd be milking this for some "treats and sympathy"...

Tonight there was some mail for me - a little something from the folks at Greenies!

They're Pill Pockets treats - made to try to disguise pills when we have to take them. I can tell you from the get-go that they just aren't going to work. Firstly, I don't need to take any pills right now, and secondly, well, how hard is it to distinguish a nasty pill inside of a tasty treat? Roll 'em around in your mouth, spit out the pill, it's SIMPLE.

Oh look - they also sent some for felines. This is Sekhmet. She was willing to take one for the team and try one, but she doesn't need any medicine right now either. But she's happy to help...

Instead I got to munch on one of these Whole Meals bars. We got them at the Pets in the Pearl event, and haven't had a chance to try them yet. The bag smells good...

Oh yeah, this seems like it will do the trick...

Love,

Bogart

To Aire is Divine

Chez Bogart

Out of Sorts

Not much has been going on this week - mama hasn't been feeling well so the adventure richter scale has been hanging around, well, zero. I don't see her nearly enough these days, and here is to hoping that this will change asap.

Same old, same old - the alarm goes off, I jump onto the bed to lick mama's face which always puts her in a good mood and she gets out of bed, she grabs me a couple of homemade treats and feeds the kitties. She gets dressed and I walk her to the bus stop.

Yes I get to play with dad all day long and we go for great walks. But this is about mama.

I pick her up at the bus stop when she gets home (I just cannot trust anyone else to do this job). I must be sure that she's safe and doesn't walk home alone - Airedale Security is on the case!

Then it's time for a little mother-son ball tossing in the yard, and maybe if she's home early enough a walk in the forest. But I want MORE - and not just on the weekends either.

See what you can do about that, will ya mom?

Love,

Bogart

To Aire is Divine

Chez Bogart

Michael Phelps Who?

Inspired by the absolutely amazing Michael Phelps and his 8 gold medals, today I decided was going to be the day that I actually SWIM. You'll remember that last time I went into the river I only waded up until my beard. Today I'm gonna go ALL THE WAY...

Ok, maybe not right away...

Wait a minute dad, did I say I was going to swim today? Uh, I think I meant something else... oh well, HERE WE GO...

The Sandy River isn't that deep here which is FANTASTIC - it made me feel like I was swimming well before I actually was.

Can you see me here? I'M SWIMMING!!!

Totally wet, totally swimming. Woo-hoo!

And even better, there are STICKS in this river - why didn't anyone tell me this sooner? - and since it's really hot outside today, I'm LOVIN' this...

There were lots of people who had the same idea that I did about swimming today, and lots of other doggies. There was even a human in a kayak who got a little too close for comfort...

This is me splashing him as he went by... he was really moving fast, but I think he got the idea that I wasn't pleased by all of my fuzzy splashing.

Notice my technique here - paws straight out, nose up, stick in mouth.

Then... SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE

And of course then I had to pee on the sand castle that two little girls were building while I was swimming. Just to show 'em that I'M THE MAN...

Oh yeah. Wet, muddy, AND sandy beard... whaddaya think ladies?

I'm feeling very rugged individualist here.

A final parting beard shot...

Ah, yet another thing that I have conquered. Just like Michael. I'm feeling good, but I'm also feeling thirsty.

EXACTLY what I was thinking... a quick visit to the Lucky Lab for some brewskis.

Please... NO AUTOGRAPHS...

Love,

Bogart

To Aire is Divine

Chez Bogart

Sidewalk-ing

Despite the triple digit heat today, I was bored. I know, this is becoming a regular feature here on my blog, but hey, I'm an Airedale and I need LOTS of mental and physical stimulation. Mama and dad knew this before they got me, so there is no excuse.

So we loaded into the Bogie-mobile and investigated the Hawthorne Street Fair. Lots of sidewalk sales, some cool vendors, and much AIREDMIRATION

I get to meet all the hot babes... it's my ANIMAL MAGNETISM

Hm. Now which way... Lets see what's on the menu...

Actually I think some shade and a little bite to eat might be just what I'm hankering for... and since there is absolutely nowhere to sit anywhere on Hawthorne right now, lets head over to Panera - I know I can have a little mama mozzarella there... oh and thanks for remembering that I'm mighty thirsty!

Mama, I know you didn't feel like going out today but I've gotta say a big, slobbery thanks for making sure I'm not completely bored.

Love,

Bogart

To Aire is Divine

Chez Bogart

More Cards!!!

My birthday continues!!! This morning I awoke to two fantastic new cards! This one is from Noah, Willow, Tess & Lucy in Australia... (I just LOVE this photo of you all - this should be an official Australian postcard!)

And this one was so cute from Molly & Taffy - it's an animated card, and I had to choose boxes to slowly reveal it... the suspense was killin' me I tell ya...

THANK YOU EVERYONE for all of the cards, presents, and wishes for a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I had a GREAT one!!!

Love,

Bogart

To Aire is Divine

Chez Bogart

The High Holy Day

Yes, it's the most special day of the entire year... MY BIRTHDAY!!! I can't believe I'm 3 already...

So what are we gonna do mom? I know it's REALLY hot outside (it was 100 degrees here today in Portland!) but you promised we'd go somewhere...

Ooooh, is that ARBY'S???

I'd like the 5-for-5 special please. And hold the sauce.

Oh yeah... Meaty goodness in a bag!!!

Major points for presentation there dad... those sandwiches look SCRUMPTIOUS!!! But wait... why is there only 4? I thought I ordered 5...

I see, they've changed their deal at Arby's. Ok, so 4 will just HAVE to do...

But wait, what's this? A box for ME???

Ohmygosh, it's from MAGGIE & MITCH!!!!

OPEN THE BOX MAMA!!! I SMELL AIREDALE!!!

Yeah yeah mama, YOU can have the card...

I'll take the yummy meaty sticks, thanks very much...

I LOVE these yummy treats - you guys ROCK!!!!

Oooooooooooh... me likey my new Whirl Wheel. It squeaks!!!!

Oh this one is soooo sweet of you!!! Mama has admired Miss Barbara's Airedale portraits and now we have a whole book of them to look at!!! You guys are SO generous and SO thoughtful, I'm sending you big, super, mega special AIRE KISSES for all of my fantastic birthday presents!!!

Hey, check out what dad gave me for my birthday... a new collar! At first I looked at it, well hey, I have a collar, but this one had a little something extra special about it. Dad made it for me from one of his old belts!!! So now it's kind of like he's passing it down to me as his fuzzy son. I LOVE IT DAD and will wear it with pride...

A BIG GIANT THANK YOU to ALL of my friends all over the world for their sweet birthday wishes, presents, and lovin' - you make me such a happy boy!!!

Love,

Bogart

To Aire is Divine

Chez Bogart