Dog of the Day: Doug the Standard Dachshund

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Adam Lang

Doug the standard dachshund is 8, and therefore predates the golden retriever in Up, but he’s very used to being asked whether that was the inspiration for his name.

No matter how many other dachshunds I see, standard dachshunds (which are surprisingly big when you’re used to the miniature ones) that are this chocolate brown in color will always be the ones I think of as ‘real dachshunds.’ These (not-so-) little guys were bred to go down into badger holes, and come back with the badgers. And badgers are mean little suckers. That makes the dachshund, goofy-looking as it is, a mighty little warrior.

Chocolate Brown Standard Dachshund

The color reminds me of chocolate. Maybe that’s why I like them so much.

Chocolate Brown Standard Dachshund

Ever seen one of these guys dig? It’s pretty amazing.

Chocolate Brown Standard Dachshund Sniffing A Red Dog Jacket

I don’t know if that’s a dog jacket or what. It doesn’t seem nearly long enough for a dachshund.

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Sunday Switchup: Gorgeous Graffiti

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Adam Lang

We really do have some gorgeous graffiti in San Francisco. This one’s right near where I work, but I rarely walk by it so every time I do it’s a little pleasant surprise.

Black And White Gorgeous Graffiti Wall

The picture doesn’t do it justice. I’ve stood and stared at it for minutes at a time. In person, in scale, it’s amazing.

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Double Dog Day: Two Belgian Shepherds, a Malinois and a Tervuren

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Adam Lang

I first saw these two in a hurry on the way by, and snapped a couple pictures without really thinking about them. Now, looking at them more closely, I realize that they’re a matched set, together constituting half of the four-member Belgian shepherd clan: in this case, a Malinois and a Tervuren. Someone is obviously a very big fan of Belgia!*

(* Yes that is a joke. I have been known to be that dense, but not about Belgium, or indeed any country with such amazingly awesome dogs.)

Edit: Dammit, for some reason only one of the two pictures posted! Oh well, it’s fixed now.

Belgian Malinois Grinning

They didn’t react terribly well to me getting close to them, so I didn’t pet them. Alas.

Two Belgian Shepherds, A Malinois And A Tervuren, Posting

Man, they make a picturesque couple.

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Dog of the Day: Maremma Sheepdog

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Adam Lang

I was heading down to meet Autumn a few weeks ago — she was dogsitting for a gorgeous dog, and I wanted to meet her — and my mood wasn’t terribly pleasant, as it was raining periodically, the busses were not being cooperative, and I had forgotten my umbrella. As I was walking down Chestnut Street on the last leg of my journey I spotted a gorgeous if rather bored-looking Maremma sheepdog lying on the sidewalk, and of course had to stop and pet him.

I hung out at the home of the people Autumn was sitting for, while Autumn took care of various doggie business, and then she and I went out to get lunch. And, a full hour later, the dog was still there. Don’t feel too sorry for him, though: Maremmas were bred to be able to comfortably hang out in the rain and snow for days, and this one didn’t seem unhappy or uncomfortable… just bored. (The dog’s owner came out of the cafe at that point, and that’s why I’m certain that this was a Maremma and not a Great Pyrenees or a Kuvasz.)

Maremma Sheepdog Lying On The Sidewalk Looking Woeful

This was on my way by the first time. Seems a little overly melodramatic, don’t you think?

Maremma Sheepdog Staring Hopefully At The Camera

Clearly a vicious guard dog. You can tell by the puppydog eyes.

Woman Petting A Maremma Sheepdog

See? Just vicious. He did this to everyone who went by. Clearly a menace to society!

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Dog of the Day: Wrigley the Fluffy Goldendoodle

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Adam Lang

Wrigley (a male, 1 year old super fluffy goldendoodle) is not the shy and retiring sort. Definitely not the sort of dog who has any trouble making his needs known. Autumn and I ran into him outside a store, and we spent so long petting him that his owner had enough time to come outside and watch in amusement for a while before we noticed. Well, it’s pretty clear where our priorities are, since we wear them on our sleeves. Along with all the dog hair.

And yes, Wrigley is. Very.

Woman Petting Fluffy Goldendoodle Who Is Lying On His Side On The Sidewalk

I got eight good pictures of Autumn and Wrigley. Autumn’s eyes were closed in every single one.

Woman Petting Fluffy Goldendoodle Who Is Lying On His Back On The Sidewalk

You have to find just the right spot to get the leg going.

Fluffy Goldendoodle Being Petted By Photographer

I love the little glint of a fang.

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Dog of the Day: Sir Otis Wellington the (Almost) English Bulldog Puppy

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Adam Lang

Sir Otis Wellington (a 4-month-old almost English bulldog puppy) is called ‘Otie’ to his friends, of which I absolutely guarantee you are one. You needn’t call beforehand… just drop by, he will be delighted to see you at any time of the day or night. If you ask nicely, he will show you his leaf collection, which is quite extensive and well worth viewing. He also has an extremely nice vintage of San Francisco Hetch-Hetchy water (15 minutes ago, perhaps a trifle young, but delicate and playful with just the tiniest hint of a chlorine bite) set out in an extra dog bowl, just for visitors.

Just don’t make any derogatory comments about beagles. Despite his very proper English appearance, one of his great-grandparents was actually an all-American beagle, and he’s therefore a bit sensitive about such things.

English Bulldog Puppy Looking Plaintive

Squooshy bulldog-face!

English Bulldog Puppy With Ears Lifted Halfway Up

His ears periodically did this. Flip! Half up. Floop! All the way down. It was aww-inspiring.

English Bulldog Puppy Going After A Treat

The problem with using treats in pictures is that you often have to get them really close to the dog to get their attention… and then they tend to disappear suddenly.

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Caturday Supplement: Snoozy Marmalade Kittens

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Adam Lang

Just when you thought it was safe to go out without a spoon (for marmalade sampling, of course!), here are two marmalades… spooning!

And yes, I’m pretty sure these are different marmies from last week’s.

Marmalade Kittens Sleeping Squooshed Together

The slightly squooshed ear!

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Dog of the Day: Katara the Australian Shepherd Mix

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Adam Lang

I asked if she was ‘Cat’ for short, but apparently not. Which is a shame because I like the idea of a dog named Cat. Instead, if I recall correctly, she might’ve been ‘Tara’ for short. She’s apparently an Australian shepherd mix, although mom didn’t know mixed with what, and she’s one year old. And very curious, and perhaps just the slightest bit rambunctious.

Pictures taken during a rainy day in San Francisco. Fortunately a couple of them came out all right, because the other fifty or so were totally blurry. So I guess you can add ‘fast-moving’ to the adjectives above, too.

Australian Shepherd Mix Standing In A Planter Sniffing A Bush

When I first saw her she was investigating a planter out in front of a building. Well, you have to take the time to stop and smell the flowers.

Australian Shepherd Mix Looking At The Camera Out Of The Corner Of Her Eye

Keeping a careful eye on me.

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Dog of the Day: Charlie the Pomeranian Corgi Mix

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Adam Lang

It’s gotten so that every time I hear the name ‘Charlie’ I hear these voices saying it. I’d like that to maybe stop please, so if anyone has any ideas on exactly which neurons I can destroy, that’d be good, thanks.

That said, I liked meeting Charlie, with or without the voices in my head. He is a charming and cheerful Pomeranian corgi mix, one year old and exactly as awesome as one might expect that combination to be. He does have to work a little on the ‘not jumping up’ thing, but he’s surprisingly polite about it even so.

Pomeranian Corgi Mix Sitting On The Floor

Look at that haunch.

Pomeranian Corgi Mix Putting One Paw On A Woman's Leg

See? One dainty paw placed gently on the leg. “Please, may I have some petting? It has been nearly a minute, and I feel quite starved for affection!”

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Dog of the Day: Doggie Bag

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Adam Lang

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a doggie bag, I believe one is in order. I did not get this one’s name or breed, her mom being in rather an obvious hurry (though very, very gracious) but we made friends nonetheless. Perhaps I should post something on the craigslist ‘missed connections’ board? Alas, I don’t think they have ‘m4d’ listings.

Doggie Bag: Woman's Bag With Dog Head Peeking Out

In the full-sized pictures I can ALMOST read the tags.

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