Bath time

Bath Time

Halloween stylin

Turning out the best duds for the holiday 2018

Walking the Dogs with Portland's Bully Clubs

Nice day for a spring walk with the bullies of Portland's Standard and Mini Bull Terrier Club Members

Bull Terrier Chases Balloon

Running With the Bullys

Bull Terrier Movies in the Spirit of Halloween

Our four legged subjects have requested an evening of Halloween horror movies to get in the spirit of trick or treat. Enjoy the popcorn.

Let us introduce you to Baxter.  This is a 1989 French horror film directed by Jérôme Boivin. The title character is a murderous bull terrier who tells the story of his search for a proper master, (you know how hard that can be to find).

Baxter is taken from the pens and given to an old woman by her daughter. He hates the woman’s bland lifestyle and narrates his feelings with disgust.  Baxter attempts to communicate his dominance over her, but his plan backfires. The woman’s condition deteriorates with a little help from Baxter, and he is adopted by the young couple across the street who he has become obsessed with. Ahhhhh youth.

Baxter enjoys his life with the couple, but his idyll is broken when the couple has a baby. Baxter hates the weak and helpless child. He attempts to remedy the situation, but his plans again backfire. Ignorant of Baxter’s murderous intentions, the couple gives Baxter to a neighborhood boy.

Baxter thrills under the firm hand of his new master, a budding sociopath, and Baxter believes that they have come to a mutual understanding.  When the boy commands Baxter to kill a classmate, Baxter refuses and realizes that the boy does not understand him after all.  They are at odds and the boy attacks first, but Baxter manages to gain the upper hand. Baxter finds that he cannot disobey.  Later, the boy breaks into the old lady’s abandoned house and as he observes the young couple across the street he begins to ponder his future.

And so the dark story goes.  This is a French, subtitled, black, comedy but while dark it is comical in its delivery.  While we are not much in the way of horror films but having the star being a bullterrier is fascinating.  The film doesn’t do much to dispell the bad image bull terriers already carry…but hey it is Halloween!

A lighter Halloween film to check out is 1984’s Frankenweenie if you can find it.  It is a story of a young boy who makes monster movies.  He tries to bring his dog Sparky back to life after he has been hit by a car à la Frankenstein.  It is a short, black and white film perfect for a private showing at bull terrier fancier parties and having guessing games after the viewing.

Frankenweenie is also an upcoming 3D black and white, stop motion film and a remake of the original. It is directed by Tim Burton, which is a perfect choice for this film. Watch next Halloween for the scheduled release on October 5, 2012 and compare the two.

Once you have had your dose of horror we suggest you rent It's a Dog's Life (1955) set in the early 1900s. The story is based on the dog Bar Sinister thought to be the first of the bull terrier breed.

The bull terrier, living on the streets of the Bowery, rises from being a street-tough mutt, engaging in dogfights, to a pedigreed show dog among the upper crust.  Unlike Baxter this is a much loved movie that gets great ratings and is well suited for children. 


Happy Halloween!



Miniature Bull Terrier Flor being a puppy

Nothing like a good pair of flip flops to play with.  These toys wont be around for long.

Monk Little Dog - Monk e Mouch - Cartoon Network

In keeping with our desire for a warm vacation, maybe a little scuba diving we add this post.  Hope for a little less drama than Monk.

Miniature Bull Terrier whips up an Irish Stew with Guiness

This little Bully went to market...and he picked up some Guinness and a few other items to whip up an Irish Stew.  He kept it a bit American by using Beef but Lamb will do too! 

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Ingredients (serves 8 at 616 calories each)

·         2 tablespoons olive oil

·         3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

·         2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes

·         1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

·         6 large potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks

·         1 white onion, cut into large chunks

·         2 cloves garlic, minced

·         2 cups beef broth

·         1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

·         1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle Irish stout beer (e.g. Guinness®)

·         1 tablespoon cold water

·         1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

1.     Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss beef cubes with flour to coat, then fry in the hot oil until browned. Place the carrots, potatoes, onion and garlic in a large slow cooker. Place the meat on top of the vegetables. Mix together the beef broth and tomato paste and pour into the slow cooker along with the beer.

2.     Cover and cook on High for 6 hours or Low for 8 hours. During the last hour before serving, dissolve the cornstarch in cold water and then stir into the broth. Simmer on the High setting for a few minutes to thicken.

Note the wild flower quilt background is from an exhibit at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Museum in Washington.  It was made by Johannah Kanikkeberg in the 1900's and donated by her children to the museum.

Bull Terrier in Jump Suit Running on the Treadmill

Our second sport of the day is devoted to running.  Of course you have to have the proper attire to work out in.  Got to stay stylish you know, right down to the jewels!