DOG GUESTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 33, 2 May 1927, Page 12

DOG GUESTS

HONOURED IN PARIS COSTLY MEALS PROVIDED There is a fashionable restaurant on the Rue Royale in Paris, says an exchange, which has worked up a fine clientele of women and dogs. Here Toto, usually a flat-faced Pekinese or sometimes a bright-eyed poodle, lunches in style with his mistress at a cost <jf anywhere from 50 cents to 1 dollar 75 cents. Recently street waifs clustered about a shiny limousine from which a footman carefully lifted a shaggy Peke and carefully buttoned a little coat about the diminutive canine’s shoulders. It was the Rue Royale, and madame was going to lunch. She tucked the dog under her arm as she entered a high-priced restaurant. One of the waifs boldly followed and was ejected almost immediately by the uniformed chasseur. HE SAW WHAT HAPPENED TO TOTO A reporter also witnessed the ceremony and saw what happened to Toto. His story follows: “ The couvert was prepared and a tiny bowl of water was brought for the pup. Luncheon was ordered by the woman for herself, and then she turned to the waiter and said: 'Cut up some white meat of chicken, pour some nice gravy over it and add a few morsels of bread for Buster.’ “In a few minutes the food for both was placed on the table. Madame carefully mixed the dog’s lunch and then placed the plate beside her on the seat. They lunched together, and from time to time madame halted to choose inviting bits of chicken from Buster’s plate, and handed them to him daintily. The meal finished, the bill was presented. CUSTER CONSUMED 40 FRANCS* WORTH “ The ‘addition’ totalled 106 francs, just four dollars and 20 odd cents. Later a talk with the waiter disclosed that Buster had eaten 40 francs’ worth, and madame had eaten the balance, less 10 francs cover charge for both. “ Glancing around the restaurant four other pups were seen having lunch with their mistresses. The waiter disclosed that an average of 20 dogs were fed daily in the restaurant, and their bills varied from 10 to 50 francs a meal. The reporter visited 12 other fashionable restaurants during the course of the afternoon to discover that ft is quite the mode nowadays to lunch with the dogs. Most of the high-priced restaurants are accustomed to it and charge accordingly*