I wasn't that serious, St. Bernards are just big babies for the most part anyway.   I bought a St. in Springfield in 1973 and took her to Oskaloosa, Iowa.   I would walk her in town and watch people look up, see her,  and then cross over to the other side of the street.   

Hmm, maybe they were more worried about me than her..................?  nah, it was her.