British Dogs Like a Pint of Bitter Every Now and Then

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Last Thursday I attempted to go on a walk with a bunch of Brits. The walk, which was to take advantage of some of the lovely public footpaths through sheep fields that Britain has everywhere, had already been postponed once due to nasty weather. However, we decided to risk it and went to meet at the Black Horse Inn in Naunton. The plan was to meet at the pub there, order dinner, go on a 5 mile walk up hill and down vale, then return to our waiting dinners.

It was cold and raining and muddy. For about half an hour, we kept talking about how we were going to be "stoic" and walk in the rain, but in the end, we just devolved into sitting and having dinner at the pub. My companions found it entertaining to find out how little I knew about puddings (they can be both sweet and savory, and the word "pudding" can be used to describe just about any dessert). One even ordered something called black pudding just so I could try it. In just about every other language, it gets translated as blood pudding, since that's the main ingredient. Yummy. I did try it, but I would never order it on my own. Another tried to order sticky toffee pudding, which sounds a lot more enjoyable, but the pub had run out.

In the middle of this education, one of the Brits observed that, were I to write a report on the evening (which I guess is what this is), I would conclude, "Harmless enough, but mad as hatters, the lot of 'em!" This observation was confirmed when I turned around to see a dog sitting at one of the bar stools. I went to get my camera, thinking it would make a great picture, when the man next to the dog saw me and obliged me by giving the dog some of his beer out of his mug. He then split a pack of roasted peanuts with the dog and went back to drinking his beer (with doggie backwash).

All in all, it was lots of fun, and we plan to try to actually go on the walk next Thursday. I'll let you know what happens, especially if I get to the sticky toffee pudding!

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Comments

[Mary in Gloucestershire]

(The author is adding back this comment, which was lost when the website crashed.) Originally posted 12th July 2007 20:52 by Pierre: Well, thats my type of dog! if he could just use the toliet I would definately adopt him!