There’s three distinct paragraphs, you may want to think about inserting two returns.

syruppy to syrupy.

I like the scene, it’s period without inserting a date, I like that. A few to many adjectives for my taste. Trust that your readers understand that it’s freezing cold and the man is old.

Your ending is a bit strange, a cliff hanger of sorts, but I guess the mystery/drama type, not the action type. Personally, I enjoy it up until that point, kind of like Hans Christian Anderson’s "The Little Match Girl’.

I like the dog, you can infer feeling for the man – that he isn’t just an alcoholic machine.

marthamaybe, I love your writing. More please!

Brilliant beginning and then seems to tail off a bit. On rereading, I think it’s just the last sentence that doesn’t deliver. Is it needed at all?

Just a thought.

well funky chunky i think that you are right.thanks for the input.thank u 32^2 .your imput is greatly appreciated.