Farewell 2009!

BlogDog waves goodbye to 2009!

Mary picks up some vino for the celebration of 2010!

Where was BlogDog Wednesday?

It's time for another edition of "Where was BlogDog Wednesday?"

Can you look at the landmarks in this picture and estimate where BlogDog is relaxing on the roof top?

To see how close you were, click here.

Beep, beep, buzz, buzz!

The genius of drive-through java loading is lost on BlogDog, who sleeps at least 16 hours a day.

However, for those that rely on morning joe to put a pep in their step, he recommends Buzz Cafe on 6th Ave. and Downing. It offers drive up service for those on the go. Those who want to stay and sip can relax in the attached cafe, located in an old, converted garage.

This chef is a genius

Attracted by what he thinks is the best name ever for a restaurant, BlogDog stopped by Bones on 7th and Logan tonight.

The restaurant was closed for the holidays, and will reopen tomorrow. BlogDog, who is on the lookout for casual yet trendy New Years Eve options, made a note to stop by then to check it out.

Basilica in the city

Today Mary and BlogDog visited the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the main Catholic church in Northern Colorado.

Despite its location on the corner of Logan and gritty Colfax Ave., surrounded by closed shop fronts, the cathedral holds three Masses each day and six on Sunday. According its website, more than half of those attending are visitors from other parishes and cities.

Mary found the building to be much lovelier up close than she expected. She pulled open the heavy gold doors to see inside. However, the people standing there did not looked pleased to see BlogDog, so Mary and BlogDog scooted away quickly. Mary may return solo next time to view some of the 75 stained glass windows.

If these walls could talk: Weekend Doggie Triple

Driving west on 13th Ave. through Capitol Hill towards downtown, Mary always notices the prevalence of outdoor artwork. Wall murals and painted signs seem to be on the side of every building in the neighborhood.

Mary and BlogDog strolled through the snow this morning to check out some of the paintings more carefully.

They didn't spend too long though, as Mary's fingers got cold and BlogDog became tired of the regular interruptions to his otherwise interesting walk.

Season's Greetings!

BlogDog wants to wish all his readers and their friends and families a very merry Christmas.

He hopes you had a wonderful holiday, full of love and joy.

He may not look like he feels that way in this picture, but he does.

A Christmas Eve treat

BlogDog was looking for a little holiday spirit this Christmas Eve.

He found it in this festively decorated tree in Cheeseman Park.

Where was BlogDog this snowy Wednesday?

Wednesdays are usually dedicated to our special "Where was BlogDog Wednesday?" feature.

However, today, the whole city is blanketed in white and looks pretty much identical to the picture above.

Setting priorities in Chafee Park

Although we are less than 100 hours from Christmas Day, BlogDog is never too busy to slow down to stalk a squirrel.

Chaffee Park, on 44th and Tejon, was a great place to do this.

I'll take mouthfuls of those

Mary and BlogDog were leisurely strolling along Tennyson St. in northwest Denver when BlogDog started straining at his leash, pulling towards the bright red door of Mouthfuls pet boutique.

Mary wasn't eager to put out the energy required to handle BlogDog in a pet store, so she tried to get him to move along. He was unfazed by her requests and planted himself in front of the door, sniffing urgently.

Moments later, the door opened. The woman leaving turned out to be one of the owners of Mouthfuls, who explained she and her friend started the business selling breath mints of dogs.

She opened her bag of treats and offered BlogDog a variety of snacks from the bone bar. He was most charged up about the cheese-flavored ones.

Make that ten little reindeer

An empty lot on the corner of 6th Ave. and Clarkson has been turned into a temporary forest of Christmas trees. The vendor also offers darling little reindeer made of wooden and evergreen.

BlogDog tried to mingle with them and get the scoop on what it's like working for Santa. He thought he would be a good addition to the Christmas team.

Santa loves you

The Hotel Monaco, a pet-friendly boutique hotel on 17th and Champa, invited pooches to have their photos taken with "Santa Paws" today.

BlogDog showed up and mingled with a few of the other dogs, including the snow white standard poodle with red bows in her hair, the pair of beagles wearing reindeer ears and the small terrier in a tartan jacket.

BlogDog felt slightly under dressed but Santa assured him he was still quite a handsome pup.

Come on, o', come out

On his days off, Matt likes to stop by City O' City on 13th and Sherman for fresh brewed coffee and a warm muffin made with local ingredients.

BlogDog, who has to wait outside, does not like it so much.

Building the foundations of justice

BlogDog visited Colfax and Elati to check on construction of the courthouse at the new justice center. The 31,000 square foot building is scheduled to open its doors next summer.

"They still have some work to do," BlogDog concluded.

Where was BlogDog Wednesday?

It's another holiday-themed edition of "Where was BlogDog Wednesday?"

Can you identify where this tinseled tower is located?

To find out, click here.

Cheese, bread and sauce, Rocky Mountain-style

Most people are familiar with New York-style pizza and Chicago-style pizza. But Colorado pizza? Not so much.

BlogDog wants to invite any skeptics to Beau Jo's, with three locations including this one on S. Colorado Blvd. This place serves pies sure to delight pizza lovers from any time zone.

A secret mission

Mary and BlogDog were curious about Old St. Patrick's Mission at 33rd and Pecos in the Highlands.

BlogDog tried to knock at the door to ask about the history of this old church, but nobody answered. When they got home, Mary searched the Internet for reliable information, but found none.

"Such a lovely building ought to have a better publicist," they agreed.

Sunrise over Sloan's Lake

Sloan's Lake, located off N. Sheridan Blvd. on the western boundary of Denver, was blanketed in a peaceful chill this morning as the sun rose.

BlogDog was eager to add his prints to those of the geese (and possibly some geese-predators) that decorated the frozen lake.

Mary slipped his leash on quickly after taking this photo to make sure that did not happen.

Take two and call me in the morning

This little pharmacy on the corner of 18th and Gaylord St. always sets off Mary's imagination. She envisions it to be an old apothecary owned by an 85-year old pharmacist who has been in the business for four decades and greets all his patients by name.

When she was passing by with BlogDog, she contemplated entering the shop to see if this was true - -but decided it would be more fun to keep the fantasy in tact.

So much going on in the air and on the ground

BlogDog and Mary spent some time in the cell phone lot at Denver International Airport today.

As usual, BlogDog sniffed out a bounty of interesting scents in an area that seemed pretty dull to Mary.

Come forth and identify yourself

Far yonder down Harvard Gulch, BlogDog spotted another canine wandering off-leash.

He immediately assumed the defensive position, until he could determine if the animal was friend or foe.

Where was BlogDog Wednesday?

It's a wicked cold Wednesday so BlogDog ducked inside for today's "Where was BlogDog Wednesday?" photo.

Can you identify the location of this sparkling tree? In the spirit of the holidays, BlogDog wanted to offer a hint to loyal mydogindenverdaily.com fans: He has been into this building before.

To find out who put up the tree BlogDog is enjoying, click here.

Here I come, Margaritaville!

BlogDog's fur is not truly adequate in these single-digit temperatures.

Eager to explore warmer options, he visited the Mapsco Map Store at 800 Lincoln St. to get some ideas on where he might be able to spend more time lounging in the sun.

Which way to the inn?

BlogDog visited the 8lb, 6oz newborn infant Jesus at the snowy Nativity scene outside Porter Adventist Hospital on Downing and Yale.

Mary encouraged him to check out the wise men, three kings, Mary and Joseph. But, he seemed uninterested, arguing, "I like the Christmas Jesus best."

I saw your wife yesterday, Mr. Claus: Weekend Doggie Double

BlogDog visited the Denver Christkindle Market today. Merchants offered holiday ornaments, figureines and gifts for sale.

BlogDog also ran into Santa Claus (aka St. Nick) and some other holiday-like folk.

He mentioned that he saw Mrs. Claus yesterday.

"I wondered what she has been up to," Santa said.

What else? at Winterfest

The neighborhood on Old South Pearl St. held a WinterFest event this afternoon. Visitors could shop, listen to music, sample seasonal ales and visit Santa.

Mrs. Claus was handing out treats for dogs. Once BlogDog discovered she was offering organic gingerbread snacks, not bites of reindeer sausage, he became considerably less interested in very nice Mrs. Claus.

Did I miss Santa? Did he give out bones?

Matt, Mary and BlogDog tried to catch the Parade of Lights tonight. The annual event promised marching bands, Santa and brightly-lit floats, all marching towards the glorious assortment of Christmas tchotchke and lights at the City and County Building.

Unfortunately, they dilly-dallied over dinner and showed up just as the last float was rolling in.

Luckily, the whole shiny shebang repeats again tomorrow night at 6pm.

Fa, la, la at the Brown Palace

BlogDog continues his travels along Broadway this week. (It's very cold and he isn't going for long walks these days.)

This time, he stopped at the Brown Palace Hotel , admired the holiday decorations and met the nicest doorman in the city.

Where was BlogDog Wednesday?

It's time to find out if you can answer the question, "Where was BlogDog Wednesday?"

If you are BlogDog or another canine buddy, you may recognize the place by its scent. For the rest of us, look over the picture and see if you can figure it out.

To find out the answer, click here.

The mystery of the British Bulldog

BlogDog and Matt headed to The British Bulldog this afternoon.

It was daylight when they started their journey and dark when they returned. Neither Matt nor BlogDog will reveal the details of the trip, but Mary suspects they might have stopped in for a pint or two.

Quiet time with MLK

During a walk in City Park, Mary and BlogDog spent some time at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

They were both impressed by this monument. Designed by sculptor Ed Dwight, the memorial recognizes not only Dr. King, but many other prominent people in the civil rights movement.

Mary was glad she had a chance to check it out at her own pace now, without the crowds and parades that accompany the holiday in January.

For dogs that oughta be in pictures

BlogDog aims to purchase all his holiday gifts this season from local Denver vendors.

BlogDog asked Meredith at Mega Pet Portraits in Denver to paint a 5 x 7" portrait of his cousin Kyla as a gift for Kyla's parents.

BlogDog hopes one day someone will buy him a 30 x 40" portrait of himself. He thinks it would look so handsome over the fireplace.

Approaching the longest day of the year

BlogDog visited Berkeley dog park on 46th and Sheridan. It was only a few minutes after 5 pm, but the park was empty and dark. The headlights from the cars on I-70 shone in the background.

BlogDog and Mary longed for the summer days when a dog can romp in the sunlight until 9 pm.

BlogDog kicks off Christmas

BlogDog doesn't appreciate when retailers rush the holiday season. He strongly believes Christmas decorations should not be hung in October.

He insisted that no wreaths or lights appear on his blog until the day after Thanksgiving!

A playful Thanksgiving

BlogDog didn't make it very far from home on this holiday. He spent the day around the house and then got a little post-turkey exercise with his Uncle Brett.

BlogDog hopes all his family, friends and fans had as peaceful and enjoyable a day.

Where was BlogDog Wednesday?

Welcome to the holiday edition of "Where was BlogDog Wednesday?"

You can be sure that today BlogDog was getting ready for the eating festival tomorrow. Do you recognize this little market bursting with fruits and vegetables?

To find out where it is, click here.

I could fly higher than an eagle

BlogDog visited the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. There were all sorts of areonautical rarities, including a B-18A Bolo, RF-84K Thunderflash Parasite and other planes Matt could tell you a lot about if you ever want to know.

BlogDog investigated the giant plane outside. He closed his little eyes, pulled back his ears and imagined what it would be like to fly.

Norse warriors in the Highlands

Denver North High School, Home of the Vikings, is located on Speer Blvd. across from Viking Park.

BlogDog was confused about what Scandinavian warriors who raided Europe 1,000 years ago have to do with a high school in the Rockies. Mary explained the nickname was just symbolic. She then tried to explain what "symbolic" meant -- but finally gave up and distracted BlogDog with a treat.

Forget the halls decked with holly

Six decked-to-the-max homes in the Lowry neighborhood opened their doors this weekend for the L’Esprit de Noel Holiday Home Tour to benefit the Central City Opera.

Although festive decorations are nice, BlogDog was more interested in the comfort of the rugs and the likelihood the owners would let a nice dog curl up on the couch.

Where the wildlife are

BlogDog toured through Fairmont Cemetery in southwest Denver this afternoon.

Unlike the scary cemetery visited the day after Halloween, this final resting place was quite lovely. He later found out that the grounds were recently designated a Colorado Wildlife Viewing location by the Division of Wildlife. Deer, fox, coyote, hawk, eagle and owl as well and numerous small birds are frequently spotted there.

This made him like the place even more.

I'm available for french toast

BlogDog was tempted by the specials at The Eggshell at 300 Josephine St. so he decided to get a jump on the weekend and enjoy a relaxing brunch.

His schedule allows that sort of spontaneity.

Sunset at Sanchez Park

Matt and BlogDog headed west from downtown to Sanchez Park this afternoon.

They enjoyed the lingering snow and setting sun until two giant German Shepherds Matt swears were "about to leap over the chain link fence and take out BlogDog" ran them off.

Where was BlogDog Wednesday?

It's Wednesday and time to try to answer the question, "Where was BlogDog Wednesday?"

There are lots of places to buy antiques in Denver, but do you identify where this shop is located?



To find out, click here.

In the moment

Some days, BlogDog pauses and thinks about how lucky he is to get to see so many parts of this cool city.

Truly a treat

Sometimes what a girl needs when the ice and snow linger is a cute new pair of shoes. True Love offers a highly stylish selection at a prices that make it easy to indulge.

BlogDog feels good at this vegan shoe shop because, as they put it, "No animals are harmed in our pursuit of making you fashionable."

All eyes on the one brave soul who came out in the snow

The Sunken Gardens park at 8th and Speer was quiet and peaceful this morning. The snow obscured downtown's skyscrapers and only a few cars crawled along Speer Blvd. Even the squirrels seemed to be tucked into their little squirrel-beds, drinking coffee and eating nuts.

Of course, BlogDog quickly locked onto the one furry guy who had stepped out of his tree house to get the paper.