By now you’ve seen whiskey barrels used for all kinds of things, right?
They’re Christmas trees, they’re end tables, they’re broken up and the staves are used to panel walls, they’re rain barrels and, of course, the Scots – and brewers – fill them up to lure all that beautiful spirit into their beverages.
Now your lucky pooch just might be able to get a whiskey barrel doghouse, thanks to Early Times, which celebrates its 160th birthday this year.
As part of its second annual All-American Dogs social media contest, Early Times is giving away 10 barrel doghouses. Winning best friends also will appear on billboards in their hometowns and in the 2021 All-American Dog calendar.
"When we sifted through entries last year, there were a lot of heartfelt stories of man (and woman’s) best friend," said Early Times Senior Brand Manager Dallas Cheatham. "It was amazing to hear about people saving dogs from dire situations, but equally awesome to hear about dogs saving their owners, both physically and emotionally.
"When we started talking about what being ‘All-American’ means, we immediately thought of the loyalty and dependability that dogs bring to our own lives. What an awesome thing that we at Early Times get to celebrate that bond!"
Early Times is known as a supporter of K9s for Warriors and has even made a documentary about it, which helps train service dogs for veterans recovering from PTSD.
You must be 21 or above to take part in the contest, which asks you to share a photo of your pup on the Early Times Facebook page (which you have to like before posting) and explain why (s)he embodies the "All-American" spirit.
Then, you’re pooch just might get one of those cool dog houses and it can while away the hours licking the sweet, sweet char, instead of ... well, you know.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
