There is a movement in New Mexico for the 60 day Legislative Session to have a designated “official dog.” The dog is the Rez Dog. If you have gone to a reservation anywhere you see Rez Dogs.

Rez Dogs are a fact of life in New Mexico and other states as well. This would be an effort to say New Mexico is unique, not saying negative things about reservations, and celebrate the Native American culture and way of life.

Colorado has Rescue Dogs (and cats) as the official dog. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the official dog in Maryland. The dog has a proud and long history in Maryland. Our Rez Dogs would be equal to the Retriever. Why recognize a dog that doesn’t have meaning to New Mexico. I love Poodles, Beagles, and Shar Peis but they have nothing to do with New Mexico.

After you get over the idea of the proposal, you gotta say, it makes sense. It is so New Mexico! And no one else would dare have it!


Barbe Awalt