VOGTHORSTAR

Walking the Humans

2012-01-18T13:57:00.000-08:00

Humans need regular exercise...
Try to walk them as often as possible!

Ella Loves her Jolly Balls

2012-01-06T13:15:00.001-08:00

I Love to Run the Humans on the Lakefront

2012-01-01T10:47:00.000-08:00

Our runs on the lake are my favorite kind,
especially when it is foggy.

Sing Along Song for the New Year!

2011-12-30T17:56:00.001-08:00

Turn DOWN your speakers...

Happy New Year!- Please celebrate responsibly

2011-12-29T19:55:00.000-08:00

Pets are often lost during New Year's Eve and Fourth of July,
since the fireworks scare them and they run away from home.
Please be considerate of your neighborhood pets during this holiday.

Ella Loves to Play Tennis!

2011-12-21T18:53:00.000-08:00

I am Guarding the Stove- It Smells Wonderful!

2011-12-21T18:51:00.001-08:00

I Love to Sing with the Harmonica

2011-12-21T18:49:00.001-08:00

If I nose the drawer enough, the humans will get it out and play it for me..
They are not that good,
but it is fun to sing along
and I love it!

Cross-eyed Cat

2011-12-04T11:13:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when Ella gets really excited, she goes cross-eyed.
It makes her look even cuter.

Stalking the Diner

2011-12-01T17:56:00.001-08:00

We know that he has corn chips...

Things We Are Thankful For

2011-11-20T21:04:00.000-08:00

Our feed stores and the wonderful people there.
A warm place by the stove on a cold night.
Our human companions whom we adore.
An occasional pat on the back.
Each other's good company.
Cool floors on a hot day.
Tail Wagging.
Our dog treats.
Our buddies.
Nap time.
Trees.

ARRRGH!! MATEY!!! WHERE ARRRRGE YER BISCUITS?? EH??

2011-10-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

Sam Left us these cool Pirate Costumes
when he came to visit us for Mardi Gras.
Thanks Sam! Happy Halloween!

It's Costume Time !?!

2011-10-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

Where is my Halloween Costume??!!??

I'm sleepy. Wake me when you are ready...

After a Nice Long Walk

2011-10-18T19:01:00.001-07:00

A sip of water is so nice after a good long walk with Ella

Who Chewed Up the Sock?

2011-10-18T18:59:00.001-07:00

Who? me?

It wasn't me! I'm too old for that sort of thing...

I Love Sharing My Breakfast with Ella

2011-09-25T06:39:00.001-07:00

Who do you share your breakfast with?

I Love Walking Nose to Nose

2011-09-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

Sharing Special Smells

We Share Our Sticks

2011-09-13T20:01:00.001-07:00

"What a Good Dog!"

2011-09-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

Not, sweet smelling flowers that grow on the street...

Not, fresh growing green grass bending under my feet...

Nothing has the odor that I crave just like meat,

As the tasty and chewy "What a good doggie" treat!

Some made with Salmon, some made with cheese,

Bacon, Bison, or Tuna, and Beef flavored please...

I long to get them into my paws..

I long for tidbits that crunch in my jaws!

To lick, gnaw, devour, and digest with delight

Can I please have just one more "Good dog!" treat tonight?

Under the Kitchen Table - Our Favorite Place to Be Together

2011-09-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

We love just hanging out under here

Ella Loves Her Green Dragon

2011-09-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

Especially when there is thunder and rain

Ella-Boo is Tired of the Heat

2011-08-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

Ella Ran all Morning

2011-08-03T13:39:00.001-07:00

Now she is all tuckered out!

Ahh! Peanut Butter

2011-08-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

Smooth and Creamy JIF Peanut Butter is my favorite!

Celebrating Four Years of Blogging!

2011-07-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

It has been four years now since I began blogging and sharing my life with the world. Since then, Ella- Gator has arrived in my life, and my blog, and many other dogs have joined me in creating their own blogs. I've made videos on Vimeo, gotten connected to my "peeps" and "pups" on Facebook and twitter, and I've made so many new friends. Now there is even an annual Dog Blog convention. I'd like to thank you and all of my readers, and of course, my human companions, for helping me to achieve what many laughed at and considered impossible, and also, my dearest Ella, for helping me with my writer's blocks.

Google analytics shows that we've had over
3, 000 visits and 4, 500 pageviews from over 50 countries and territories and almost all 50 states ( what's up Montana, North Dakota, and West Virginia?) and have enough name recognition now that many of you find us directly. We also know that our reader's favorite post is: Ode to a Tennis Ball!
So in celebration of our Fourth Anniversary, I'm re-posting my first post, your favorite post, and my favorite post below, as I continue to ask you, the reader..

"What Would You Fetch for a Friend?"

and also to implore the world, to

" Keep it Simple and Share Your Food."

There is nothing nicer than cool weather and a nice breeze just after a rain-especially when you've just had a delicious lunch and you have the time and place to take a comfy nap. I highly recommend an hour a day minimum of observation and contemplation. What do I like to observe? Clouds drifting, birds flying, rabbits foraging, trees swaying, bees buzzing and grass growing.

ODE TO A TENNIS BALL
I love my yellow tennis ball.
It is so very round.
I love it when it's thrown to me,
accross the grassy ground.
It's bouncey and it rolls so well.
It's so much fun to catch. I like to bring it back to you.

Come on now, let's play fetch!

There is nothing nicer than a pat on the back.

It's like a mini-hug.
People should do this more often.
Shaking hands is just not the same.I like a good pat on the back. It lets me know I'm on the right track; especially for a job well done.Just being acknowledged that I am here with a pat on the back is ok too.It is comforting.There needs to be more comfort in the world.

Who did you pat on the back to today?

I'm With Gus on This One!

2011-07-26T10:57:00.001-07:00

I LOVE BEIGNETS!

2011-07-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

I dream of being a waiter at the

World Famous French Quarter Cafe Du Monde,

http://www.cafedumonde.com/beignet.html

even though I am not allowed inside..

My human companions sometimes bring me and Ella

tiny bits of unsugared fried dough to taste..

OOoooooh it is so gooooood.

If only in my dreams!

We Love Bathtime!

2011-07-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

I always let Ella go First!

I love my human companions!

Thank you for the Shampoo and Massage

Pig Noses and a Fox

2011-07-02T05:55:00.000-07:00

Happiness is Sharing Piggy Noses...

on comfy dog beds with my favorite Fox toy to play with afterwards

Yes, it is my Pig Nose!

2011-06-28T15:41:00.000-07:00

Ella likes to take her time savoring her Piggy noses.
I eat mine right up and then try and get her to share hers with me.
It doesn't work too well.
She just likes to keep it at bay
and eat it little bites at a time.
I still love her.

Ella's Nap time

2011-06-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

She snuck up on the bed to sleep, but,
She doesn't look too comfy...

Ella has a SUPERNOSE!

2011-06-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

I don't like Thunder

2011-06-28T15:37:00.001-07:00

Under the Kitchen Table

2011-06-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

It smells good, it is cooler under here, and things might fall that I can nibble on too!

When it is Hot, Ella Likes to Lounge on the Cool Kitchen Floor

2011-06-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Ella has a Ferocious Yawn!

2011-06-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

My what big teeth you have!

Ella Love Hugs

2011-06-03T10:56:00.000-07:00

Don't you?

Nap Time for Ella

2011-05-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

She loves her naps.

BATH TIME !

2011-05-15T16:18:00.000-07:00

Ella loves her porch baths!

Cool well water feels so nice on a hot afternoon

She is so happy after her bath!

The "Rinse Cycle" feels great!

I like to shake it up and get the humans all wet just for fun!

These Humans Get Me

2011-05-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

Ella is my Nappin' Buddy

2011-04-30T17:51:00.001-07:00

I Just Love Hangin' Out on the Porch in the Breeze

2011-04-30T17:50:00.001-07:00

No Dogs Allowed at Jazz Fest...

2011-04-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

They need to produce something more dog friendly like Woofstock on the Northshore...

Rabbits

2011-04-24T22:51:00.001-07:00

It was Easter today-
NO chocolate bunnies for me!
So I chased a Rabbit in the yard.

Perfecting the "Shake"

2011-04-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

For some reason, Human's love to hold our paws and shake them a little.
I don't get it.
But they really dig it when you put out your paw.
Makes them silly with giggles and you might even get a treat out of it.
Let them do the shaking though...
Just pick up your paw and mid-air they will grab it and go "Aaaaaaaauww!"

Thunder

2011-04-21T14:10:00.001-07:00

I don't like it- but it really upsets Ms. Ella-Gator.
Hope it passes quickly.

The Art of Napping ~ Eight famous Napping Men

2011-03-31T13:08:00.000-07:00

Dogs have been practicing the art of napping for a long time-
So for you humans who are learning the art-
Did you know, that Napoleon Bonaparte, Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill,
John F. Kennedy, LBJ, Ronal Reagan, Stonewall Jackson and Salvador Dali
all practiced the Art of Napping?
Napping has many benefits including:
Improving your memory and helping with your creativity and plus it just feels good!
To learn more go to:
The Art of Manliness
and
Unleash the power of a nap!

We Want to Dine with Nono and Sia!

2011-03-31T10:57:00.000-07:00

Ella's Tongue

2011-03-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

Ella loves to give kisses- which i don't mind, but some humans do. A dog's tongue is used for alot of things besides affection.
It is used in how we feed our selves, and drink our water, and we use it like a wash cloth to bathe ourselves. It is also our air cooling system on hot days,or when we exercise. Our tongues wagging are actually helping to cool our whole bodies. So when the weather gets warm, please make sure that we dogs have a lot of cool clean water to help us stay cool!

Just a Little Nosey

2011-03-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

Our noses even have patterns that make prints that are unique- similar to human fingerprints. We dogs rely on our noses much more than our eyes. We can smell things more than our human companions. Humans have about a 1 inch square of " turbinates " - we dogs have about 60 square inches of "turbinates"... depending on the size of our noses. Forty percent more of our brain is dedicated to analyzing smells in comparison to a human's brain. Humans have about 5 million scent receptors compared with the average bloodhound who has 300 million! Dogs are even being sed to detect different diseases in humans by their smell. When we stick our noses in places that humans' don't understand- we're just taking in the aroma to figure it out. So please don't feed us next to your garbage cans!

Ella as Lady Woof! Woof! getting ready for Mardi Gras and Mardi Paws!

2011-03-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

To Mask or not to Mask, that is the question...

Strategic Planning

2011-03-01T14:09:00.001-08:00

I like to lie under the table,
just in case tasty morsels fall to the floor.

Dog Park

2011-01-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

After we got our nails done, we got to go socialize at the Dog Park!!
we met Rose, Elvis, and a whole lot of other fun dogs that we played with.
It was a good day. Now we are tired and ready for a nap.

Just a Little?

2011-01-01T20:18:00.000-08:00

I Know You Have Pancakes

2011-01-01T20:17:00.000-08:00

Really, Want to Share?

2011-01-01T20:16:00.002-08:00

We Love Pancakes

2011-01-01T20:16:00.001-08:00

My Comfy Couch

2011-01-01T20:16:00.000-08:00

The perfect way to start the new year!

Ella Waking up

2011-01-01T20:15:00.000-08:00

WE DON'T LIKE LOUD NOISES !!!

2010-12-31T10:25:00.000-08:00

Fireworks can cause tremendous stress for animals. Don't forget your furry friends- Here is a great link from WRAL with tips for how to care for your best buddies this Holiday.
http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/pets/story/3090123/

Ella is Tired after a Big Day at the DOG PARK!

2010-12-27T12:06:00.000-08:00

We had a great time running and playing with Champ and Dusty and a whole lot of great dogs! They all brought their human companions. We loved it. Ella wasn't as scared this time. We saw three deer cross the road on the way home too. They were headed to the park to look for human popcorn and stuff left at the baseball field at dusk. They were beautiful.
I wanted to run with them too.

Ella-Gator Has Her Seat Reserved for Dinner

2010-12-25T15:44:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T10:40:00.000-08:00

Hope y'all get some yummy treats, nice clean dog beds, roomy couches, blankets, and great playtime & rest time with your human companions. Don't forget to share your food! oh yes- Most important of all- Thank your human companions for taking good care of you. Merry Christmas!
-Vog Thorstar and Ella-Gator

Can I have my treat now?

2010-12-20T18:04:00.000-08:00

Hmm-

2010-12-20T18:03:00.001-08:00

These are kinda wierd-
They ring when I move

I have Golden Antlers on with Bells!

2010-12-20T18:03:00.000-08:00

Give me the Antlers!

2010-12-20T18:02:00.000-08:00

Ella has had them long enough. I want to try!

Ella Speaks!

2010-12-20T18:01:00.002-08:00

Enough of the Camera already!

Ella's Nose and Whiskers

2010-12-20T18:01:00.001-08:00

Her nose is very " boxy".

Ella's Elegant Stare

2010-12-20T18:01:00.000-08:00

She ALWAYS wins the staring contests.

Ella Acting Coy

2010-12-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

Isn't she a beautiful lady?
I think so.

Pasta Hunting with Ella Gator

2010-11-19T18:59:00.000-08:00

Pasta Hunt from Vog Thorstar on Vimeo.

ELLA HUNTING PASTA

2010-11-19T18:46:00.000-08:00

VOGTHORSTAR

2010-11-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

I remember when the geese were very small and the ducks were too.

Share Your Food With a Friend

2010-11-08T14:52:00.000-08:00

It always makes it taste better!

Like my Costume?

2010-10-30T18:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Howl-o-ween!

2010-10-30T18:53:00.001-07:00

BLECH!

2010-10-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

Looooook into my Eyes!

2010-10-30T18:51:00.000-07:00

Napping is an Art Form Often Overlooked

2010-10-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

I can lounge anywhere, anytime.
This is my classic napping position.
I call it the "Dapper-Dog-Drop & Drape".
The humans piled the cushions
to keep me off this couch.
Ha! I fooled them.
It is my new "Bark-a-Lounger!"
I just love floral prints. Don't you?

Wanna Play ?

2010-10-05T13:18:00.000-07:00

Ella Brings Her Ball Everywhere

2010-10-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

-
Just in case someone wants to play fetch with her at anytime. She loves her new ball!

Ella Loves To Fetch For Her Friends

2010-10-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

Ella Has Whiskers!

2010-10-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

Ella Wants a Treat!

2010-09-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

She loves roasted carrots!

Suppertime!

2010-09-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

I SMELL ROASTED CHICKEN WITH CARROTS !!!
Isn't it time to serve?

Katrina +5

2010-08-29T17:39:00.000-07:00

Has it really been that long?
I will never forget the sadness, or the kindess from so many.
Thank you again to everyone who helped me and the humans
both in person, and from afar and even in prayer.
Love and many thanks and kisses to you,
and Love to my kitty-cat; Ms. Lucky Sphinx,
wherever you are,
you are still missed and remembered.

Ella-Gator is a Couch- Pa-tater!

2010-08-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

Time to Walk the Human Companions

2010-07-21T07:11:00.000-07:00

Humans, like dogs, need lots of exercise.
It's our job to make certain that they get it- and often.
Otherwise they get flabby, and really fast too!

You have to train your human companions to play fetch and run with you..
They think that they are training us,right?
But in fact- they work for us. Just be patient with them and give them lots of love.
They need that more than anything.
Just keep bringing them things. Or Steal their clothes and stuff and play "Keep away' it drives them crazy- but they'll get lots of good cardio time and you'll get some nice time outside with them too.
Just take it easy on the newbies-and the elderly- they tire pretty easily.
And give them lots of kisses for encouragement. They love that- and you get to lick their salty sweat off too.

Chew it!

2010-07-14T22:32:00.002-07:00

Hug it

2010-07-14T22:32:00.001-07:00

Bite it

2010-07-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

Nuzzle it

2010-07-14T22:31:00.002-07:00

Sniff It

2010-07-14T22:31:00.001-07:00

She loves it

2010-07-14T22:31:00.000-07:00

Ella's New Toy

2010-07-14T22:30:00.000-07:00

Right there! Yeah, A little lower please and to the left...

2010-07-14T22:29:00.000-07:00

Doggy Massage from Vog Thorstar on Vimeo.

Ah! That Feels Great!!!

2010-07-14T22:25:00.000-07:00

Many people have asked what these are- They are a traditional Japanese Massage tool made in the USA called BONGERS! Click here their website http://www.bongers.biz/first_1.html
Ella and I love being Bonged!

Have You Massaged Your Dog Lately?

2010-07-14T22:24:00.000-07:00

What We Really Love is Massage!

2010-07-14T22:23:00.001-07:00