Good Dog

Hey local peeps!  Some of you know how much I love Martha’s Vineyard and one of my favorite stores/restaurant/bakery is The Black Dog, which originated on the Vineyard. I still have a BD t-shirt from a 1999 visit.    They have now branched out, and there are Black Dog stores in many places, not just the Vineyard.   The history of the Black Dog is legendary on island, and is the true essence of the place. For info on the founding of the Black Dog Tavern, click HERE.    Kinda hard for me to love the satellite stores that have popped up in other areas.  A visit to the original store and restaurant with a little history of the place and you’d understand what I mean.  It’s the vibe you don’t get anywhere else… the experience…and ofcourse.. the story of the original black dog.   exerpts from a story book…

“When a nor’easter blasts an island harbor, an orphaned black puppy finds shelter with the reluctant Captain Douglas, who vows, “This berth is only for tonight.” But when a neighbor promises to find a permanent owner, the captain agrees to foster the dog. As Captain Douglas prepares his topsail schooner for a six-month voyage, the unnamed dog wreaks havoc at home–shredding sails, knocking down a scrimshaw, chewing up charts and “piddling” on the oriental rug. At last the frustrated captain brings the dog to the harbor, where she proves herself an able sea-goer: “She knew where to go when the boat was coming about. She knew which side was to leeward.” The bond is set.” 

 This particular black dog became the mascot for the tavern, opened in 1971.
Original photo below.
Her  image is now depicted as a black lab most often, but she was a mutt,
and a stray mutt to boot. I’m thinking lab mixed with something else,
as is evident in the logo you see in so many places, made in her image. 

Anyway.. the Black Dog here in Mystic, CT put out this flyer, and I think it’s awesome. If you’re local and looking for a dog, give the Waterbury pound pups a chance.. Happens TODAY!!  see info below.

Looking for a new best four-legged friend? You may just find one at the Mystic Black Dog General Store. Tomorrow, June 8 from 11 to 4 pm adoptable dogs from the Waterford-East Lyme ACO are visiting the store. 10% of our Mystic Store sales that day will be donated to the ACO. So come on down and enjoy the fun.

7 thoughts on “Good Dog”

  5. Great post, Karen! We ate at the Black Dog on MV years ago. While walking around the little harbor I was surprised, and shouldn't have been, to see 2 or 3 black labs lounging around on the dock! We still have mugs, T shirts and I even have the little dog on my charm bracelet!

    XO,
    Jane

  6. That's a great post, and I love the link you provided, very cool how the townspeople shared their recipes at the start. I would love to check that place out.

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