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Shy dog is transformed with a dress

By RONDA RICH

Merri Grace sent me a long, complicated e-mail the other day, complete with photos, on how psychologically damaging it can be for owners to dress their dogs up in outfits.

Apparently, the cuter the outfit is, the more damage it does.

This, of course, was directed without shame or apology to me. Merri Grace has personally witnessed Dixie Dew’s numerous, adorable outfits: dresses, pajamas, rain poncho, hats and the precious tiara that I purchased in the French Quarter in New Orleans.

I sense a little jealousy here. After all, it’s hard to look cuter than Dew when she’s all turned out and all of our fellow divas know that Merri Grace hates to be out-done in the cute department. I suspect it is particularly hard when it’s a dog that does it.

I didn’t pay it any attention, though. Dew loves to dress up so much that if I ceased doing it, that’s when she would truly be psychologically damaged. I can’t risk that.

One weekend, Dew and I were visiting our friends, Stevie and Darrell Waltrip in Franklin, Tenn. The Waltrips have a big house which is intimidating to a little dog and big dogs that are even more intimidating to a little one.

As a result, Dew was shy and skittish so she stuck close to my side.

All the Waltrips, including daughters Jessica and Sarah, tried hard to bring her out of her shell. No use.

Then, I took Dew to the bedroom to dress her in a new, little pink dress with bells and bows on it.

The transformation was instant and nothing short of spectacular. Her confidence soared. She jumped up on her hind legs and danced merrily around the room when she saw the dress come out of the suitcase.

As soon as she was properly attired, she ran as hard as she could, leaving me behind, to parade around in her clothes for the family.

When the Waltrips saw her, they collapsed in laughter at the ruffle-covered dachshund. Once the comedy of the moment passed, they were amazed at the difference in her personality. Previously shy, she was suddenly gregarious and happy.

“I can’t believe that. Dixie Dew, you act like a completely different dog,” Darrell said, shaking his head. He watched her prance for a few minutes and then, with a snicker, commented in that famous wit of his, “Now, we know what was wrong. She was embarrassed to be running around naked in front of strangers.”

When Stevie was pregnant with their first daughter, Darrell was insistent on naming her Victoria Lane. That’s because, as a famous race car driver, his favorite place on earth was Victory Lane at any race track.

Stevie balked. She reasoned. She argued. She called in a child psychologist to explain the damaging effects that such a name could have on a child. It worked and DW relented. For that, Jessica Leigh is most thankful.

See, that’s what all good parents like me and the Waltrips have in common. We’re always mindful about psychological effects on our children.

I know, for instance, that the prettier she looks, the happier Dixie Dew is and the more confidence she has. That’s important, you know, for a little dog.

That’s why, despite Merri Grace’s dubious efforts, Dixie Dew will continue to dress in cute outfits for special occasions. She needs the extra edge it gives to her self-confidence.

Besides, every Southern woman knows that pretty does as pretty feels. Just ask Dixie Dew.