Pet-Pet * pet product blog

I’ve always been intrigued by the history of Saint Bernards bounding through the perilous snow-covered Swiss Alps to rescue stranded or injured travelers. I can imagine how majestic these furry giants must have appeared to a weary hiker, frozen to the teeth and trapped by an avalanche. Oh, and imagine his or her gratitude, after being pulled to safety and offered a sip of belly-warming brandy from the fat wooden keg strapped around the Saint’s thick neck.

Well, those stories may have happened back in the 1700’s, and there’s probably a lot more technologically advanced ways of saving people from avalanches these days, but those cute little kegs sure are cool and I’d hate to see them disappear from use altogether.

I thought about how cool Murphy would look with one of those kegs around his thick little neck, but we all know he hates the snow, and honestly I wouldn’t trust him to rescue anybody from anything. So, I’ve thought of a new use for these little kegs, and a way to save them from total extinction or being relegated to novelty items displayed on a shelf.

Next time you throw a party, fill up one of these kegs with your favorite liquor and strap it around your dog’s neck. (Note: I would not recommend kegging up a little dog, as the full keg is probably pretty heavy and you wouldn’t want your pug or Yorkie dragging it around your party, chin to the floor.) Instead of “shot girls,” your party will have its very own “shot dog.”

As your puppy waltzes around the party, greeting each guest, he’s also offering up a shot of booze. If your guests accept, they just tap the spigot on the keg and fill their glasses. Cheers!

I had to find out where I could purchase a wooden keg that was actually built to hold liquids, not just as a showpiece. Robin Turner offers handmade oak kegs that are made to hold liquids, specifically alcoholic ones, on her website, The Robins Nest. The keg comes with a wooden spigot, cork and stand, plus a leather collar which can be personalized with any design your little heart desires. She will also design kegs for special ocassions, such as weddings.

Murphy’s keg would be filled with Jameson Irish whiskey (mama’s favorite), and his collar would bear his name, decorated with little shamrocks and skulls & crossbones. I have to get one of these! He’ll be the hit of my next party.