DOGSPOTTING: Two Old Men

Well, well, well. What do we have here? A double dog of scragley guys loitering outside a Trader Joes in West-LA pandering for attention and head pats, that's what! I just could not resist their uber-friendly faces! These besties look like a couple of old surfer dudes relaxing on the sidewalk! I just love the personality and fur around their faces-- like little beards and unruly eyebrows. I am pretty sure they are Irish Deerhounds, but I am not totally sure because I certainly hadn't seen any dog like them before. They look an awful lot like Hickory, the most recent winner of Best in Show at Westminster, but they could also be Irish Wolfhounds. They were SO TALL, but lean with wirey hair just sort of tufting out here and there. For big dogs they were very un-intimidating, I think it was the aloof character in their faces. I think the dog in the first picture is smirking, and the one in the second picture is definitely saying "Hey!" Errr, well I mean, if they were people. Which I guess they're not.

VIDEO: A Perfect Combo

If you love double bass and dogs as much as I do, then boy do I have a treat for you! Valentines day is all about love, and I love dogs and drums. So here is my Valentines Day gift to you:

You are just cheating yourself if you don't watch all four minutes. AWE-FREAKING-MAZING.

DOGSPOTTING: Jamie the Magnificent

I am so sorry it has been so long! I really am! And to prove to you that my love is true, I am back with one of the most majestic dogs ever spotted by this dogspotter. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you... JAMIE. Look at him, REALLY look at him. Have you ever seen a more perfect poodle? And he does tricks! Spotted outside a grocery store in Del Mar, CA with his owner, he sat, stood, and tried to give me big hug and almost knocked me over (almost as tall as me on his hind legs). I learned a trick of my own too! I learned the proper way to introduce yourself to a new dog-friend-- the key is to let them smell your hand, then you slide your hand under the chin and start scratchin' those ears. I could have exchanged scratches with Jamie for hours, I mean, who WOULDN'T?!? Super soft, poofy hair and a show-winning personality. I think it is obvious that we just found Mr. February for the Beautiful-Fucking-Dogs 2012 Calendar.

Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade 2010: The Floats! Part 4

The final chapter of this journey and I save the best for last: The FLOATS! These are the real hardcore Halloweenies and dog owners. Let's get to it!

Ha ha, dogs in wigs.

This dog actually howled on cue! It was so awesome!

I am not really sure what is going on here, but it looks like it took a lot of work. The dog is in a swing!

AArrrGGHHhhhh!

I wish poodles really were firemen...

This was so cool! I wonder if the kid pulling it made the tank.

Historically accurate float.

I hate Farmville. That's why I am posting this. Don't bring dogs into Farmville.

This one was crazy! They had like 10 people, and choreography to the song Monster Mash.

I think I screamed when I saw this. Garbage pugs!!!!!!!!!! ahasdkjsddiaskdjsadlskdal

THE END

Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade 2010: Bumbledogs, Hotdogs and Lobsterdogs Part 3

The three best dog costume ideas ever. EVER.

3 awesome examples of hotdogs (sort of, I think the one on the right is a taco...) ! Corgis, Doxies, and Basset Hounds obviously make the best hotdogs.

If there's anything I love more than dogs, it's things with bees on them. Naturally, Bumbledogs are a perfect hybridization of my interest.

More bumble dogs! Very popular this year, and I am not complaining.

One more hotdog (top 10 contest list: shih tzu with mom and pop condiments, hello!) and then the best lobsterdog of the day! How cute is the doxielob?

I want to get this framed. GET OUT OF HERE! Lobster dog, in a group, human baby lobster in a pot, plus bonus hotdoxie trailing behind. And they won "Best Group" in the Haute Dog contest.

Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade 2010: More Dogs Part 2

Without further ado, I present to you part 2 of 4 of my photos from the Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade!

Shark doxie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is so so epic! Double dragon, double husky! It doesn't get anymore badass.

Bumbledogs are my favorite! More on these in a later post ;-)

HOW HANDSOME IS THIS MAIL DOG????? OH MY DOG!

How elaborate and fancy!

This little lady pushed her own cart! Double points for tricks!

Ghostbusters?!? Now I have seen everything.

Frenchies! Frencheerleaders! Look at those little squoogey faces!

Followed by a ship's worth of English Bulldog pirates?!?!?! Pinch me, I am dreaming.

More tricks! This lady had the crowd roaring!

A herd of little champer gampers.

Saved the best for last.

Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade 2010: The Dogs Part I

First things first, Yes, I am posting Halloween photos in the middle of December. Okay, I know, and I haven't been posting much lately. So now that we have that out in the open, let us get to what we can consider my Christmas gift to you... DOGS IN COSTUME! Part one of a four part series of photos from the Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade from this past Halloween. It is an annual parade held in Long Beach, CA with a costume contest including dogs, children, and group categories.
I think it goes without saying that this was one of the best days of my life.

Let the parade begin...

The classic "chick magnet" costume is 1,000,000 times more awesome when it is on a dog!

Driving Miss Daisy!

Rawker dog! And he was a HUGE dog. Totally metal.

Hahaha, I love these human-body-on-front-paws costumes!

Ms. Pac-Man with dog grapes!!! I love the family costumes! At some point the grapes went on a run and had to get chased down by Pinky! Earned a top 10 spot in the contest.

Hmmm, some kind of gothic queen of hearts? Precious pup inside, whatever it is.

Yellow submarine doggy!!! Everybody is so into it!

Hello Kitty and Snow White ladies with their matching purse pups.

This was one of my favorites of the day! A whole family of lawn gnomes including two kids and a pup all in beards! Everybody looks awesome. I think they placed in the top 10 in the official contest.

So clever.

The Party Twins are here! So fabulous. Extra points for dogs in sunglasses.

Antoine Dogson.

DOGSPOTTING: New Yorkie! New Yorkie!

Well, well, what do we have here? Looks like the friendliest little fella' that's ever walked. Spotted in Hollywood, the Yorkie guy pretty much asked me to take a picture. He looks so approachable and happy-go-lucky. This is definetly not your average yipey purse pup. And the dog-bed-head hair style? LOVE IT! A grown-out puppy cut with a well-groomed frame around the face-- that is what puppy poster-pups are made of. And again with those ears! I am a total sucker for dogs with a great set of ears. You can tell that he is a good listener as well as a good friend.

DOGSPOTTING: Golden Age of the Retriever

I haven't posted a big dog in a while so let's make it count with a classic. Spotted this man's best friend in Sunset Junction. I am still figuring out all the big dog breeds, but I am almost certain this a Golden Retriever, and what a beaut! I feel like Golden Retrievers are a great all american dog, like the Collie. Perfect for families, but a great life-mate for a swinging bachelor or a couple that thinks babies are too small, and cry too much. This little lady above was attached at the hip to her owner, making sure that he was safe but still having fun hittin' the town. If only we could all have somebody like that! I spend way too much time getting hurt and not having fun. Like I always say: Dogs fix all problems.

DOGSPOTTING: The Mists of Dogalon

Well look at this little trickster! Spotted in Silverlake, taking his owner for a walk in the LA heat. I think it is a Japanese Spitz, but it could also be some sort of mystical snow fox or ghost coyote. One of those three for sure though. Actually, I think all Spitz dogs look like magical coyotes/foxes/wolves. But can't you just see this guy appearing to you when you're lost in the woods? And he leads you to a trail or some forgotten treasure or towards the missing girl who you've been looking for since you started at the police academy? MAGIC DOG.

DOGSPOTTING: YES WE CANINE

Like many Southern California residents, I am indifferent to the Chihuahua thanks to the overpopulation of the breed here. I read somewhere that they are not only the #1 breed in California, but also make up 30% of dogs in some shelters! These little fellas are EVERYWHERE and they start to lose their appeal after you see a hundred. But as I walked into my local 7-Eleven, this little dude caught my eye. Leashed up and waiting for his owner, this pint-sized pup gave the come-hither-(pet me)-look. I love the coloring and those over-sized ears. I think his stature is what makes him so cute; confident yet approachable. An ambassador Chihuahua, representing for his breed, giving speeches outside corner markets, and licking babies faces. Vote for Chihuahua 2012.

DOGSPOTTING: The Puggle World

PUGGLE IS THE BEST BREED NAME. That is just a fact. Say it: PUGGGLLEEEE. Probably the best portmanteau, which I am also a huge fan of. If I had a puggle I would probably name it Melissabeth or Richilliam. I haven't met a lot of Puggles, but I like what they got going on. I spotted this guy in Silverlake roaming around a street fair. I swear I saw him 6 times in 2 hours-- everywhere I went, he was there. He was super friendly and active. In a related note, have you google image search puggle puppies? The ones with really puggy faces make me want to carry one around in my purse everywhere I go and never let it out of my sight. Pugs are so ugly they're cute, but the Puggle is just straight up cute. Beagles are the all American Man's Best Friend of small dogs. So why not throw a little Pug Pizzaz into the mix? Hey, Puggle, I totally get you, and you're alright with me.

THIS JUST IN: My friend, Sean Hess, has confirmed that he not only friends with this Puggle, but that the dog's name is a portmanteau! JARETH THE PUGGLE. Ok, I haven't confirmed that the name is portmanteau, maybe it is an inside joke, but whatever, it COULD BE! JARETH, YOU'VE BEEN SPOTTED!