Two guys were struggling through chest-deep snow in the Alps, verging upon exhaustion.

One of them sees something in the distance appearing to close with them. As it gets closer he sees it's a St. Bernard complete with cask. Nudging his friend, he points.

"Oh, thank the very Lord," he says, "it's man's best friend!"

The first guy shouts, "And a dog."

(One of my alcoholic father's favorite jokes.)

One more, this true. I was coming off the summit of, I think, Mt. Adams. The dog had his pack, stuffed with extra clothes, first aid stuff for the group, that sort of thing.

An older fellow struggling up stopped me and said, "That dog has everything but a cask!"

I replied, "When he had one I never did get nearly this far."

To which he added, "I know that one well." And we each went our way laughing now at what were unpleasant memories.

Arf