Issue 4
Oh, woof.
We’re still in the dog days of the UK National Lockdown and this pup hasn’t been to a pub for over 3 months. In dog years, that’s like over a whole year! I’ve been going mutts! Times are ruff, let me tell you.
Since I still won’t be making any pub visits for several weeks, I thought this would be the pawfect time to reflect back on a couple pubs I visited with my humans when we took a holiday back in September to Oxford, England.
Paws crossed I’ll be back out touring pubs again real soon. In the meantime, I’ll be pawndering the first drink I’m gonna order when this pup hits the pubs again: a big, chilled bowl of whatever fresh water the pub is serving on tap! Woof!
The Bear
Oxford, England
I barked out loud when I saw the name of this pub! They named it after ME! Okay, probably not since this pub claims to date back to 1242 (long before I arrived in England --or the world, for that matter!) and its current building dates to the early 17th century. It sure looked doggone old and is recognized as a regionally important historic pub due to its interior.
This placed looked like a very traditional pub with a couple tiny rooms, very low ceilings, lots of wood panels, two cosy fireplaces (the kind that makes a pup like me want to plop down and curl up in front of) and squeaky floorboards. And there’s a collection of over 4,500 pieces of neckties (you know, like dog collars but for humans) hung up all over the walls and ceilings.
We sat out back in their big, heated patio and were seated next to a huge, fluffy sheepdog. Good thing we were told to “sit and stay” outside… ‘cause there was no way us two big pups would have fit together in this small pub!
September 2020
The King's Arms
Oxford, England
Any pup who’s looking fur a real neat pub that generously serves up delicious and tasty dog treats needs to visit this place. The staff here was really friendly – and greyhound-like fast to fetch the treats for me – and my hoomans really enjoyed the beers here, too (I just ordered my usual bowl of water).
This pub, named for King James I, opened in 1607 and is still standing in its original location. It’s one of the larger pubs this pup has seen yet with huge wood partitions and glass windows splitting the establishment into about six different rooms. This pub is also recognized for having an interior with regional historic significance.
Under normal times (with no Covid restrictions) the pub would have been full of students from the university. On my visit, I had one whole section all to myself…I’m such a lucky dog.
September 2020
