I visited a town in Virginia once, and I was going to visit the Lodge that night. I knew the town was one of those historic "Thomas Jefferson designed this outhouse" kind of towns, so I stopped by the local Jefferson-designed tavern to ask about the local sights. Turns out the Lodge's Master, Sam, was the tavern owner. Handshakes and greetings were exchanged, and the Master says, "You need a guide!"
With that, he produces his big, happy Golden Retriever and a brochure and map. "Here," he says, handing me "Oliver's" leash. "My dog Oliver here can take you on a tour of the whole town!"
"Wow," I said. "Really?"
With that, Oliver looked me right in the eye and said, "Sure, I know this town like the back of my paw." Astonished, off we went, and I must admit, the dog was a most informative and congenial guide.
A year later, I brought my wife back, and I stopped in at the Tavern again, because naturally my wife thought I was insane with this talking dog nonsense. The Lodge's Senior Warden was now behind the bar, and Oliver was nowhere to be found. I asked the SW if the dog might take us on a tour, but he informed us that Oliver didn't do that anymore.
"No," he said. "Now that Sam's a Past Master, that damn dog won't do anything but sit on his ass and bark at everybody."
With that, he produces his big, happy Golden Retriever and a brochure and map. "Here," he says, handing me "Oliver's" leash. "My dog Oliver here can take you on a tour of the whole town!"
"Wow," I said. "Really?"
With that, Oliver looked me right in the eye and said, "Sure, I know this town like the back of my paw." Astonished, off we went, and I must admit, the dog was a most informative and congenial guide.
A year later, I brought my wife back, and I stopped in at the Tavern again, because naturally my wife thought I was insane with this talking dog nonsense. The Lodge's Senior Warden was now behind the bar, and Oliver was nowhere to be found. I asked the SW if the dog might take us on a tour, but he informed us that Oliver didn't do that anymore.
"No," he said. "Now that Sam's a Past Master, that damn dog won't do anything but sit on his ass and bark at everybody."
