Things you see while taking in the holiday sights near your house can at times take your breath away.
Such as the sight of the largest dog I have ever, ever laid my eyes on.
We were strolling through Historic Downtown McKinney, Texas today gawking at all the Christmas displays and enjoying the sight of all those people and the sound of their laughter. It is chilly today, but it certainly didn’t chill the holiday spirit in the air.
Then I noticed this dog. Or was it a horse? My goodness, he was, um … huge!
I asked the fellow holding the puppy’s leash: What kind of dog is that?
“He’s a wolfhound,” the fellow said. “An Irish wolfhound?” I asked. Yes, came his reply. He then told me the pooch is of a breed known to be the “tallest dog in the world.” Meaning that when he stood up on his hind legs, he was, oh I don’t know, 6 or 7 feet tall.
He was gigantic. And friendly. And utterly gorgeous.
I didn’t dare ask him what it costs him and his family to feed him. I stroked the puppy’s head a couple of times, then walked on with my wife and one of our sons.
As we walked away, I heard a young woman ask the fellow the same question about the dog’s breed. Then she said she intends to get one just like him. Merry Christmas!