Christmas Tales of Alabama by Kelly Kazek

Chicago.
    In the fall of 1939, the Alabama legislature voted to create a board of pardons and paroles. One of the first acts of the three-member board was abolishing Christmas paroles. Instead, the board almost immediately permanently paroled 150 prisoners.
    Graves would always consider the practice a success, as he told the Associated Press: “I believe a man who has sinned is entitled to a second chance…I believe it is better for these men to be free and in position to assist their wives and children than to keep them locked up in prison…I have faith in human nature.”
    F RED , THE T OWN D OG
    It was two days before Christmas 2002 when Fred, beloved by his community, drew his last breath. Hundreds went into mourning. The Reverend John W. Cruse gave the eulogy, saying, in part, “Fred made our lives more enjoyable and gave us cause to laugh and find joy in his company…from him we learned many lessons, such as the quality of naturalness and the unembarrassed request for affection.”
    At his death, Fred was about thirteen years old. For the last nine of those years, he had been known as “Fred the Town Dog,” an Airedale mix that wandered into Rockford, Alabama—population 428—and stole the hearts of residents. When Fred’s owner couldn’t be located, several people, including Inez Warren, tried to give the dirt-caked mutt a permanent home. Fred was determined to be a free spirit. Caring townspeople took him to be groomed and for medical treatment. The veterinarian said Fred had been shot at some point during his wanderings, but he seemed none the worse for wear.
    The dog had a “home base” at Ken Shaw’s convenience store, but he wandered the streets each day, greeting friends and welcoming visitors with a wag and welcoming visitors. Of course, Fred wasn’t averse to taking a handout and often ate dinner “out.” He sometimes even wandered inside and slept in people’s homes. Fred would nap wherever the mood struck him, whether on the cool concrete at the service station or in the middle of the road, where patient residents would get out of their cars and move him to safety.

    Fred, the Town Dog of Rockford, died on December 23, 2002. Courtesy of Kenneth Shaw .
    Though he had few talents beyond napping, licking his nether regions and wagging a friendly tail, Fred soon would become a celebrity. The signs at the town limits were changed to say “Rockford, Alabama, Home of Fred the Town Dog.” Shaw sold Fred the Town Dog souvenirs, such as T-shirts, coffee mugs and caps, and proceeds paid for Fred’s food and medical expenses. The dog had its own account at the local bank.
    Fred also began “writing” a column—with the help of a few human friends—for the local weekly newspaper, the Coosa County News.
    An Associated Press reporter wrote about the tiny town with the dog mascot, and the story was published nationwide. Then the TV network Animal Planet featured Fred on one of its shows. People came from other states to visit Fred, and many brought their dogs to meet the famous mutt. Although a few disgruntled residents did not want their hometown to become famous because of a stray dog, the majority of people were amused by Fred’s antics and musings in the column.
    Fred also gave back to the community. He appeared at fundraisers for the American Cancer Society, and he loved helping the Easter Bunny during the town Easter egg hunt. Christmas, though, was his favorite time of year. In one undated Christmas column, Fred “told” residents of the upcoming parade and described how Ken Shaw and friends decorated his float. “With that Wal-Mart special light sale on we found some neat thangs to put on it so’s everyone can judge my float the best.”
    For several years, the Rockford Christmas parade featured a float carrying Fred, usually bedecked in holiday attire, including a red cape with holly and