Puppy Paparazzi: Duff the Bearded Collie

Ok, I'll admit it. I cheated.

I know this is The Boston Dog Blog. but I found Duff in Hampton, New Hampshire by the beach. He was so fluffy and fabulous that I had no choice but to capture his soul on film.

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and this is definitely true for Duff. My friends thought this bearded collie looked scary, but I had only two thoughts: love (warmly reciprocated by His Furriness) and the dragon from The Neverending Story, whose name turns out to be Falkor. Please be so kind as to comment if you see the resemblance so I don't feel crazy!!


              Duff the Bearded Collie                                                                     Falkor the Luckdragon

  

Puppy Paparazzi: Sushi the Lhasa Apso/Japanese Chin Mix & Sake the Japanese Chin

 

  

Oh, the glory. Pure and underbitten glory. Observe Sushi (the beautiful black and white fluff ball) and Sake, the handsome mahogany and white furball with long, regal locks. Sushi is a Lhasa Apso/Japanese Chin Mix and Sake is a purebred Japanese Chin.

If you haven't noticed by the header dog at the top of The Boston Dog Blog, I have a fervent affinity for traditionally "ugly" dogs. I think they're crazy totally and completely cute and want a dog with an underbite more than anything. I'm also a real sucker for huge, bulgy eyes. So it's really no surprise that when I spotted these two across the Boston Common I practically pranced over like Bambi on a sugar high to pet them.

What I found I was certainly not prepared for: Sushi is an extra-famous celeb dog, because she won Boston's Ugliest Dog six years ago!! Needless to say, I was breathless with excitement, and completely enamored with her magical snaggletoothed smile. Both dogs were very, very excited -- hence the mediocre-quality photos. They were so personable and happy to meet me, they were running around (I really wish I'd snapped a better portrait of Sushi's underbite). My camera screen is also STILL BROKEN. Don't go to Best Buy, you spend $140 on a camera and it breaks two days later... and they won't fix it.

But anyway. Back to the point. Love these pooches, love their names. My favorite food, my favorite type of canine dental arrangement.

Puppy Paparazzi: Frankie the Baby French Bulldog

  

 

  

GOOD NEWS!!! Even though I haven't posted in an obscenely long period of time (sorry -- I just started a new job and was in New Hampshire for a few days), here are photos of an adorable baby French bulldog named Frankie (above).

EVEN BETTER NEWS!!! Frankie is up for adoption. Because he's a purebred, there is a cost, but trust me, it's worth it. He is freaking adorable, friendly and likes to give kisses. He also makes the most silly and wuvable googly bulldog eyes I've ever seen on a puppy. If you're interested, please email me at bengalengs@gmail.com and I'll send you his foster mommy's contact information.

I met this little guy at Ritual Arts on Harvard Ave. in Allston, which by the way is a fantastic way to get your animal fix. Toni, the owner, is a true animal lover with a chihuahua and a ton of beautiful black cats who quite honestly may as well be canines. Love Bomb, the giant black fluffy male, loves puppies and likes to lick them when they come into the store to show his affection, and Audra is just so beautiful and chill that even strict "dog people" will fall for her gorgeous green gemstone eyes.

Puppy Paparazzi: Brooklyn the Beagle Mix

 

 

Ode to Brooklyn

Brooklyn. Oh, Brooklyn. Besides the fact that you almost share the same name as me, you are quite literally one of my favorite dogs ever. I only met you for about five minutes, but your sweet persona and avid interest in shmoozing with my friend and I made it love at first sight.

Not to mention your beautiful, beautiful eyes, like green pools of river water.

Ok, so I'm really getting into this ode thing. But a beagle mix? What an unlikely sweetheart. I knew they were nice dogs, but Brooklyn was really a winner. Check out Brookline for more preciously personable pooches like Brook-lyn, and glorious summer days under shady trees in the park. 

Dog Sitting Lucy DANGAH

My best friend came to town a few days ago for the rest of the summer, and as a great welcome present, we got to puppy sit the wonderful Lucy together. There was one downside to this: it was yesterday. The. Hottest. Day. Ever.

It was hard to breathe and hard not to faint on the ferociously sizzling pavement, but I felt even worse for Lucy. She's got a black coat, so she essentially attracts the sunlight. Needless to say, when we walked back and forth on Comm Ave, I carried her a lot of the way. Her poor sensitive puppy paws would have gotten burned otherwise.

On a happier note, my friend and I created a middle name for the infamous Lucy. Her name is now Lucy DANGAH (like "danger," only pronounced with an accent and a whip of the tongue to mimic the strike of the word). If you can't see the irony in the name considering she is a 10 week old puppy with a lot of extra skin and teeth the size of a clump of toothbrush bristles, then you and I don't share the same sense of humor. But I think it's perfect.

Either way, we confirmed that day that Lucy is a major flirt and a major dude magnet. Of course girls and boys alike stop to whimper at how disgustingly adorable she is, but she has a knack for running up to men to get their attention, and they always bite the bait. I think it's because she lives with a man, so maybe she associates the men with dad. Does that mean I can be god-mommy?

Puppy Paparazzi: Maggie the Wirehaired Fox Terrier -- Happy 4th of July!!

Maggie the Wirehaired Fox Terrier is my fourth of July pup. And what an appropriate holiday mascot she was. I met her on the Charles, on the docks while I was dipping my toes in the awesomely cool water. I felt like I was doing an aerobics class in hell all day, so just that one refreshing moment would have been enough. But on top of all that, I got to watch fireworks -- and meet Maggie.

Maggie was a pick-me-up all her own. I did literally (pick her up) and she didn't squirm. Instead she just seemed overjoyed at the vivacious spirit of the night and later wagged her tail while trotting the length of the docks. Her dad had to go retrieve her from a friend of mine who she had approached with vim and vigor and a serious tail wag, ready to kiss him all over his face.

My face was painted like a tiger on the 4th (everyone seemed so confused, but really, is it a crime to act like a four year old every once in a while and just pretend you're a safari animal? I think not), so it was pretty funny when Maggie's child owner told me I looked scary. Maggie apparently didn't seem to share the opinion, and we were mutually saddened (ok, maybe me a little more than her) when she had to hop on a boat and leave me all alone and dogless on a national holiday.

Puppy Paparazzi: Bonsai the Wheaton Terrier

Rarely have I seen a dog that provides such a spittin' image of an ewok. I'm not gonna lie, I pretty much just wanted to tackle Bonsai and snuggle him all day, even in the extreme Boston heat.

I'm pretty sure I've never revealed my all-time favorite breed before, so here it is: a Brussels-Griffon. I've only seen about six in real life. Anyway, they look like mini-ewoks, so this guy was slightly reminiscent. What a puff.

Puppy Paparazzi: Sunny & Skippy the Westies

Sunny and Skippy were two friendly westies in the Boston Commons catchin' some rays with their parents. I have to note what great style they have (my jack russell mix wears that red bone collar, but as a leash. What a classic pattern).

Both loves seemed happy to see me, but not ecstatic at the concept of my taking a photo. They were busy little snowballs ready to go chase ducks and trot along the river, and I loved watching their specifically westie-ish walk.

Puppy Paparazzi: Romeo on Gardner St.

Romeo drew me in with his rough bark. I was sitting sipping wine in my living room when I saw his glorious puggle mug and had to rush outside to play.

Romeo was difficult to keep interested but proved a fan of jerky treats. He loved playing with mommy's sweater more than anything -- that's what he's chewing and shaking back and forth in all these pics.

In honor of all the puggles I've been lucky enough to run into lately, I've included a link to "5 Reasons to Consider a Puggle," a blog article from a cool puggle blog called Puggle Hugs.

Puppy Paparazzi: Jake at Star Market in Allston

This is by far the coolest dog outfit I have ever seen. I found Jake the standard poodle laying on the floor of Star Market in Allston, just chillaxin' and showing off his rad dye job (check out the purple ear).

When I said hello and pet him, Jake (a service dog) didn't even flinch, but seemed to enjoy the strokes on the top of his ever-fluffy noggin. He also sported a rainbow leash -- what a cool dude.

For tips on giving your dog a new color 'do safely click here.

Puppy Paparazzi: Bruno on Commonwealth Ave.

I finally understand why people think of poodles as creatures with a strict beauty regimen and prim and proper manners.

Bruno, this wonderful standard poodle, was the perfect model, posing calmly while I snapped shots of his poised and regal stature. He had all the looks and charm, freeing him of any prissy poodle rep. He's handsome and he knows it -- but hey, it's tough being a celeb!