My beloved pug, Bogie, passed away last Tuesday. He was nearly 15 years young. He was the best friend a girl could ever ask for, my fur baby, and the inspiration for my dog portrait business.
I first met Bogie on December 24th, 1995. He was just 11 months old and as scrawny as could be. He was rescued and placed in a pug orphanage located just 20 miles south of San Francisco. When I met him, his big brown eyes pleaded, "Get me out of here!" Since that day, Bogie has always been by my side. He's also traveled across the United States with me countless times. I used to joke that he had accrued more frequent flyer miles than my colleague and destination wedding photographer, Gene. Bogie's last big excursion was a trip to New York City for my birthday last June. He stayed at the Westin and had his own "Dream Bed." Only the best for Bogie.
The outpouring of love and support that I have received since Bogie's passing has been like a warm embrace. I'm deeply touched by every call, gift, email, text, Twitter and Facebook message that has been sent in remembrance of Bogie. I'm still trying to get through all the messages and will do my best to reply to each and every one. I appreciate you all for taking time to write and think of Bogie and I. I've included a slideshow below with the many kind words we've received via Twitter. I take great comfort knowing that Bogie lived a long, happy, much loved and very spoiled life!
The day Bogie passed, my friend and colleague Jasmine Star said: "Today is beautiful and bright, and amazing because SO many people, like myself, are thinking of Bogie." Gene always said Bogie possessed a "je ne sais quoi" quality. Many would agree.
Bogie was a little dog with a big heart. He touched the lives of all those who met him, both in person and online (his Twitter account had over 650 followers before he passed). He had fans worldwide, and was quite "famous" within the photographic industry, according to Rangefinder magazine.
Bogie's passing brings to mind the words of one of my favorite novelists, Edith Wharton:
Ever since I adopted Bogie from the pug orphanage in December of 1995, he's been both the best friend a girl could ever ask for, and the inspiration for my dog portraits. I just love having Bogie by my side every day at my studio -- even when he's snoring! (Be sure to check out the home-made video below!)
Bogie's quite famous in the photographic community (Rangefinder magazine says so!), and clients and colleagues alike will oftentimes send him presents, cards, treats, etc. He is truly loved by everyone he meets.
This past year, Bogie has experienced severe arthritis in his back legs and, as a result, he can no longer walk. But that doesn't stop my little pug from living life to the fullest. We found Bogie a set of snazzy new wheels to help him get around town. Bogie's custom-made wheelchair, complete with a "Rock-N-Roll" license plate, has given him a new lease on life and he hasn't slowed down one bit.
Bogie turns 14 years young today. That's 98 in human years!
Please join me in wishing Bogie a happy birthday!
Thanks to photographers Jules Bianchi, Gene Higa and Tomas Flint for the cool shots of Bogie, below!
I hope everyone had a fun Halloween! I wanted to post a quick photo of Bogie, my pug. He was a bumble bee for Halloween. A friend got this cute little costume for Bogie.
Oh, and if you have any photos posted online of your own dog dressed up for Halloween, please comment below and include a link to the post so we all can see!
My pug, Bogie, is such a celebrity in the world of photography and, now, even more so as he makes his film debut in Gene's new promo video outtakes clip, below. The actual promo is coming soon (you can watch the trailer on Gene's blog or click on "more" after the clip ends). Bogie only makes a brief cameo, but it's really cool footage and he makes Gene look good.
Check it out. It's HILARIOUS!
Special mention goes to Anton Lorimer of Lorimerworks for putting it all together!
Yesterday, we headed down to Santa Cruz for a portrait session with the beautiful Miss Shelby at Natural Bridges State Beach. During the session I caught this shot of Shelby and Bogie hamming it up for the camera!
*** edited to add that this was shot with my iPhone! ***
Recently, Gene and I were in Los Angeles for business and Bogie came along with us. He got to meet our friends and fellow photographers and dog lovers Jose Villa (and his three dogs, Nelly, Java and Lucca), Becker (who used to have a pug) and Jules Bianchi (and her sweet dog, Olive), and Rangefinder magazine editor Bill Hurter, who happens to be Bogie's number one fan! I didn't get shots of everyone, but while we were walking around Hollywood Boulevard, Bogie found his favorite "stars," Humphrey Bogart and Winnie-the-Pooh!
Oh, and check out Jules' blog for photos of Bogie and Olive visiting the famous hot dog joint, Pink's!
*** Update ***
I received this kind email from Bill Hurter, editor of Rangefinder magazine:
"Love the blog shots of Bogie on Hollywood Blvd. After meeting the lad, he truly has all the star power I suspected. He is real "A-list!"
Wow, time flies! The past two months our studio has been very busy wrapping up our wedding season and fulfilling orders for the holiday rush, leaving very little time to blog. Thanks to all of you who visit my blog often and take an interest in my business! I have so much to blog (weddings, engagement sessions, dog portraits, new vendors, workshops, etc.), so please stay tuned. In the meantime, here are some photos of Bogie taken during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. He is sporting a new set of wheels! Now, don't think the worst. Bogie can walk, but he has severe arthritis in his back legs, so Gene came up with the great idea of getting Bogie some wheels to get around town! He even has a license plate that reads; ROCK-N-ROLL!
I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. Both Bogie and I wish everyone a very Happy New Year!
See you all in 2008!
p.s. Bogie celebrated his 14th birthday on Christmas Eve! Happy Birthday, Bogie!
Bogie, Gene and I drove down to Half Moon Bay today to go pumpkin picking. We left late and hit lots of traffic, so once we came across this little pumpkin patch alongside the road, we decided to stop and take a few photos before the sun went down. On our way back to the city, we caught a glimpse of the HMB Pumpkin Festival's record breaking pumpkin weighing in at 1524 pounds. That's a lot of pumpkin pie!
