We'll try to find a spare sunbeam.
On Dogs
‘No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does.’
-Christopher Morley
Biologically speaking, dogs are pack animals, predisposed to follow whoever they’ve determined is the ‘leader’ of their pack. No doubt, this explicates some of dogs’ fascination and loyalty to ‘their’ people. But I think not all. Does pack mentality explain why a dog hovers anxiously at your side when you’re sick? Why they’re eager to protect you from strangers whose scent or motions they don’t like? Or why they’re so ecstatic to greet you each evening? Perhaps, but I don’t think so.
Full disclosure: I am a crazy dog lady. I have dogs of my own (that’s my sweet Donald, above), I have always had dogs, and I suspect I always will have dogs. Setting up what became Pour Richard’s there was no question that the store would be dog-friendly. In a choice between selling chips and candy bars or welcoming dogs, I’m going to pick the dogs. Every. Single. Time.
Over the years, we’ve met so many wonderful pups. Moose, the Great Dane/Shetland pony. Rosie, the cheerful Brittany with a sense of entitlement about snacks. Buster, whose signature move is ‘belly up pet me please?’.And of course Gigi, the famous bulldog. I believe Gigi may have her own fan club at this point. Gone but never forgotten: Bailey, the sassy cairn; Tucker, the magnificent golden floof; and Biggsy, the irrepressibly goofy bubble butt puggle. Dogs have brightened our days in countless and immeasurable ways.
During the past 18 months many ‘everyday’ pleasures have become scarce. One example: we haven’t had as many canine visitors as usual, and we’d like to change that. Ergo, Howl-o-ween: On Saturday, Oct 30, we’re going to gussy up the tasting table with some extra-special wines, and lay in an extra supply of dog treats. Please stop by to taste-and bring Fido along. If you do dog costumes, go for it. If not, that’s fine, too. For every dog we see that day, we’ll make a donation to Forever Home Rescue, helping them to rescue and re-home unwanted and neglected dogs.
And remember: well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome at Pour Richard’s every day. Or to put it another way: well-behaved people are welcome to accompany their dogs.