I have a dim and uncertain memory of their dinnertime once being firmly anchored at 5pm, and even occasionally occurring as late as 6pm. Like the hour of dinnertime for the British middle classes in the 18th century, something changed — I could not put my finger on precisely when — but the change, having once occurred, has proved irrevocable.
This essay reads like E.B. White gave himself an afternoon to roll his sleeves up and really enjoy a cigarette and a highball, which if that is not clear is just me trying to fancy up the word delightful.
"It hurts to precisely the same degree that it makes me laugh" is the most relatable description of being trod upon by a 10ish lb wee beastie I've ever read
My dog could have written this - in fact I suspect she did, very cleverly assuming the mantle of an esteemed writer doing some observational humor. Even now she sits at my feet asking when I will see fit to open the fridge for her.
I recently read that turkey is another food dogs shouldn't eat too much of. Maybe that's bogus but maybe there's some useful guidance out there on how much is too much and how much is okay if, in fact, it is a fact.
Now that my wet blanket is out of the way, that's adorable. I love the description of the sounds of dogs snacking down, and the idea of small metabolisms compressing time. I suppose in a very physical way faster metabolisms absolutely do.
I'm a sucker for anything about dogs & their wiley charms & ditto most everything in the Chatner, so this bit delighted me so much (& the photos!) that I forgot (for a considerable stretch) that I broke my writing wrist a week ago. Thank you!
I was just wondering how these two dogs were doing and fondly remembering that piece you wrote about the third dog that stayed over for several weeks (Mr. Benjamin, I want to say? 🤔 The old dog who didn’t want to go up the one step into the kitchen.)
I have had 3 chins in my life so far. They have all had different personalities. However, what united them all is “the possibility of a situation” and the fact that they do wake you up by sneezing directly into you eyes and mouth ( at that point in the essay I burst out laughing)
Dogs are the best! I am teased here at home because when DST hit I made a feeble attempt to keep my dogs feeding times the same. He would normally eat at 6:30 PM in the summer but after the DST change he was at my feet by 5 PM wondering when I was going to feed him! I lasted all of 2 days before I decided that DST was a “stupid people” thing dogs should not have to suffer. He now proudly eats at 5:30PM. All is well!
This essay reads like E.B. White gave himself an afternoon to roll his sleeves up and really enjoy a cigarette and a highball, which if that is not clear is just me trying to fancy up the word delightful.
Early dinner forever. If I have been invited to dinner after 6:30, I have for sure pre-eaten.
I always pre-game like Scarlett O'Hara before the barbecue.
"It hurts to precisely the same degree that it makes me laugh" is the most relatable description of being trod upon by a 10ish lb wee beastie I've ever read
My dog could have written this - in fact I suspect she did, very cleverly assuming the mantle of an esteemed writer doing some observational humor. Even now she sits at my feet asking when I will see fit to open the fridge for her.
I think that if I were to eat dinner at 4:30, I would have to eat a second dinner around 9. My cat and I have afternoon tea and push dinner to 6:30. 😆
I recently read that turkey is another food dogs shouldn't eat too much of. Maybe that's bogus but maybe there's some useful guidance out there on how much is too much and how much is okay if, in fact, it is a fact.
Now that my wet blanket is out of the way, that's adorable. I love the description of the sounds of dogs snacking down, and the idea of small metabolisms compressing time. I suppose in a very physical way faster metabolisms absolutely do.
I'm a sucker for anything about dogs & their wiley charms & ditto most everything in the Chatner, so this bit delighted me so much (& the photos!) that I forgot (for a considerable stretch) that I broke my writing wrist a week ago. Thank you!
I'm so sorry about your wrist!!
I was just wondering how these two dogs were doing and fondly remembering that piece you wrote about the third dog that stayed over for several weeks (Mr. Benjamin, I want to say? 🤔 The old dog who didn’t want to go up the one step into the kitchen.)
Mr. Wilson! He is still doing well and living in the Bronx!
I have had 3 chins in my life so far. They have all had different personalities. However, what united them all is “the possibility of a situation” and the fact that they do wake you up by sneezing directly into you eyes and mouth ( at that point in the essay I burst out laughing)
There is no piece of art that has spoken to me so intensely.
This article was great! You took something we’ve all experienced and made it a masterpiece. The feet, the saucer eyes.
I enjoyed this so much 💙
Dogs are the best! I am teased here at home because when DST hit I made a feeble attempt to keep my dogs feeding times the same. He would normally eat at 6:30 PM in the summer but after the DST change he was at my feet by 5 PM wondering when I was going to feed him! I lasted all of 2 days before I decided that DST was a “stupid people” thing dogs should not have to suffer. He now proudly eats at 5:30PM. All is well!
early dinners are the best!