Fred's a Southern Dawg

Our Springer Spaniel, Fred, is a fine dog for a rescue dog. He's got a strong springer shape, clear black and white markings with few freckles, and a friendly, if not excitable personality. For the past four years, he's been on a leash to walk the city's sidewalks. Only the occasional visit to a park or friend's back yard gave him the opportunity to run in crazy circles, always chasing other dogs. Memphis has changed all that. Fred has a new personality -- that of southern dawg.

Not every dog around here is a southern dawg. In fact, most act just like dogs from anywhere. To be a true southern dawg requires that you attain a certain standard of looks and behavior. First, a southern dawg looks like a huntin' dog. This happened to Fred when he got his "summer do" in anticipation of the coming heat. No longer do his elegant show dog feathers emanate from his front legs and underbelly with long curly ears framing his face. He's sporting an all around crew cut and it just drives guys wild! I've see grown men get teary eyed fawning over Fred as they tell me about the dawgs they used to have. Yes, Fred looks like a huntin' dog now.

Second, a southern dawg has an attitude. Now, Fred's always had an attitude, but not a southern dawg attitude. Yeah, he still suffers some separation anxiety, but he no longer pees in his crate when home alone. He's gained himself some confidence. Before, he'd chase anything that moves and we were always fearful he would run out into the street. Now, down here in Memphis, he steps out on our front stoop and calmly surveys his territory -- the deep, grassy, tree lined boulevard. Once he spies a squirrel, he gives me that "Mom, can I PLEASE go get that squirrel for you" look. When I tell him, "Okay" only then does he leap to chase the sprite up a tree. With that accomplished, he relieves himself, then saunters back toward the house only to stop in the middle of the street and lie down to bask in the sun. He's very reluctant to come inside or run on a leash. That is a southern dawg attitude -- obedient on the front end and self satisfied on the back end.