We would celebrate Ice the Dog’s birthday if we knew when it was, but the vet had to estimate his age based on when his baby canine fell out — almost as soon as he landed at Casa Aguiar two years ago, on October 25, 2014. That put Ice around five months old at the time, which means he was born sometime in May 2014. He’s had quite an adventurous second year, with lots of travel, friends, and food… what more could a dog want?
In lieu of his birthday, we celebrate Ice the Dogiversary.
still not crazy about heights, though
Ice might be a little spoilt. He gets plenty of attention on the street, in the metro, at cafés and restaurants, and even social media. In fact, he’s a social media darling on Instagram.
This is #IceTheDog auditioning for the Happy Mondays. Remember them? #90s #memorylanemonday
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Jul 25, 2016 at 2:27pm PDT
#IceTheDog's First Formal
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Mar 16, 2016 at 2:57pm PDT
Don’t let this clean-cut figure fool you. Not 10 minutes before this photo, #IceTheDog was rolling merrily in decomposing shrew. I was gagging at 20 paces but I had to take off the most offensive smears with baby wipes and a plastic bag over my hand. It was to spare myself from the Worst Smell Ever — I’m always downwind from this guy!
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Aug 31, 2016 at 1:13am PDT
TRAVEL
Have Dog, Will Travel. #IceTheDog
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Sep 12, 2016 at 9:32am PDT
Ice couchsurfed for the first time in April, staying with two dogs and a cat in Galicia. They all got along great, which was a relief! This led to one of my favorite Instagram photos EVER:
It’s my animal magnetism… or my sandwich. #couchsurfing #Galicia #Spain #IceTheDog
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Apr 25, 2016 at 10:25am PDT
Ice also visited the capital this summer, for the first time:
ferocious mid-yawn in Rossio Square, Lisbon
Some of his road trips in the past year, in addition to Lisbon and Galicia, include: Serra da Estrela, Peneda-Gerês National Park, Minho, Douro Valley, Central Portugal (Golegã, Santarém, Fátima). Ice the Dog gets around!
FRIENDS
The Adventures of #IceTheDog and his friend Luna, Part 1: the car ride.
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on May 25, 2016 at 11:26am PDT
Ice is well-known around the neighbourhood and makes friends pretty easily, although there are some dogs he just does not like — bulldogs, for example, and I have no idea why. The terrier across the street loves him, but it’s an unrequited love.
#IceTheDog, Heartbreaker
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Apr 11, 2016 at 9:38am PDT
FOOD
Food, food, glorious food! Ice is always on high alert for food. And a good bone. (Sometimes gross things like poop and rotting fish, but there’s no way I’m posting photos of that.)
When I ordered an 'espetada' I thought we'd get chunks of meat on a couple of bamboo sticks. So when THIS showed up, I burst out laughing. This skewer was the size of a sword, with steaks of pork, beef, veal, plus chouriço and presunto, peppers and onions. Enough to feed a whole family. #IceTheDog was ecstatic. This photo doesn't show the sides, either! Oh, Northern Portugal, you (over)feed everyone like a grandma.
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Jul 4, 2016 at 1:26pm PDT
#IceTheDog: "Need some help with that?" #Galicia #Spain
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Apr 26, 2016 at 5:22am PDT
"I like big bones and I cannot lie…" #IceTheDog
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Apr 2, 2016 at 7:41pm PDT
OCCUPATION AND HOBBIES
Ice’s “job” is Neighbourhood Watch, which he takes very seriously.
Neighbourhood Watch, by #IceTheDog
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Apr 1, 2016 at 3:29am PDT
He’s also the Count of Snoozeland and self-appointed Guardian of the Couch.
Count of Snoozeland, #IceTheDog
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Apr 18, 2016 at 10:45am PDT
Ice’s sport is to chase cats, although he was nearly mauled a few times. Will he ever learn?
#IceTheDog flirting with disaster In Gaia.
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Mar 13, 2016 at 9:32am PDT
He’s not a big football fan, but he did support the national team when they won the Euro Cup in June:
#IceTheDog wearing Paulo's scarf from 2004, that fateful year which everyone in Portugal is happy to now bury under the jubilation. I don't follow football at all — my primary interest is in raising the national morale, and Portugal winning their first ever Euro Cup has done just that. I'm also grateful for this tournament because PayPal Europe ran a contest a couple of months ago to win a trip to France and I won! (It was multiple choice questions about UEFA league history, and I had to look most of them up.)
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Jul 11, 2016 at 2:12am PDT
Yes, it’s a Dog’s Life.
#IceTheDog sat obediently for his Obedience School Picture. And then he ate poop.
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Mar 7, 2016 at 10:27am PST
Portugal weather report by #IceTheDog. Forecast this week: hot. Weather last week: hot. Forecast next week: hot.
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on Aug 3, 2016 at 7:16am PDT
Let sleeping dogs lie… and take over the couch. #IceTheDog
A photo posted by Gail at Large (@gailatlarge) on May 17, 2016 at 4:56pm PDT
If you haven’t yet overdosed on photos of Ice the Dog, I’ve started a Pinterest board for him: