I was chatting up an owner today and talking to him about his dogs. Both dogs and owner were nice, genial types. The owner started talking about his history with dogs growing up.
“My first dog died at 16,” he said. “A boxer.”
“Wow,” I said, genuinely impressed. “That’s a great lifespan for a boxer!”
“Yup,” he replied. “She died of cirrhosis.”
“Uh oh,” I said, “An alcoholic, eh?”
“Yes,” he said, “She really was.” I laughed. “Mom made three martinis a day- one for her, one for Dad, and one for the dog.” He grinned.
I looked at him, confused. He grinned more widely. “Oh- uh- you are kidding, right?”
“No,” he said earnestly. “Things were different back then.” Indeed they were. “She got a martini every day, but I did get Mom to stop giving her chewing tobacco when she was 10.”
And he really wasn’t kidding. I felt guilty over the occasional Lays potato chip Emmett would get- guess I should go a little easier on myself!
Reminds me of an older guy we know who has a doberman. He gives him an egg sandwich each morning for breakfast when he eats. And he gives him beer sometimes too.
Things that make you go hmmmm……
WOW! and I thought my friend’s neighbor giving her cat deli meat and jelly beans everyday was bad! that’s amazing…chewing tobacco?! incredible…
I could understand a sip of martini (like if it ended up on the floor and the dog got to it first) but a whole martini AND chewing tobacco? That’s crazy. Although it apparently led to the Boxer’s long life.
Blade had a thing for bourbon (surprise) and margaritas. Not because I gave them to him outright but because if my glass was within Rottie head height, he saw it as an open invitation to have himself a sip. He also taught Cookie that bad habit.
My grandfather used to pour beer into a bowl for our cat when he visited. He was just an ass, though, and did it because it agitated us kids.
Chewing tobacco, though, takes the cake. Ew.