Country star Deana Carter can spot a hit when she sees one, and the singer behind songs like "Strawberry Wine," "How Do I Get There" and "We Danced Anyway" knew the adorable puppy Hugh would be a hit with her family the moment she and her son first laid eyes on him.
"You know how you see one that is special? He really connected with us," Carter tells Headlines & Global News exclusively.
Called "one of the most pleasant success stories of the post-Garth Brooks generation" by AllMusic, Carter announced her arrival on the country scene with her gold-selling 1996 debut album "Did I Shave My Legs For This?" And before that, she was already invited by Willie Nelson to perform as the only female at Farm Aid VII in 1994.
Carter, the daughter of Nashville guitarist Fred Carter Jr., who played with greats like Nelson, Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings and Simon & Garfunkel, according to AllMusic, will make her acting debut this year in "Painted Horses," a film in which she plays the role of Aunt Nora, according to Taste Of Country.
Headlines & Global News recently chatted with Carter about Hugh, the funny, furry friend of the singer and her son, Hayes.
HNGN: How does Hugh like Nashville compared to Los Angeles?
I was just talking about that. Being from there, I have been in L.A. 13 years, and I love California, just love it. I mentioned in an interview one time that I would like to move home, the music is there and open arms. It would be hard to go. I'm not sure when. It will happen someday. Hugh had seen the rain and the cold for the first time, Christmas trees and all that. I think he will be fine and will adapt. He will have a nice yard.
Carter: I rescued Hugh a couple of years ago from Lucky Puppy on Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles. His mother and brother were in there. They were in a high-kill shelter. They all got adopted and received good homes. My son Hayes and I went to Lucky Puppy looking for a dog because he had been hounding me for a long time. We saw Hugh, he was this tiny little puppy, and he was special. You know how you see one that is special? He really connected with us. So we kept going back, and he was still there, still there. So one day I went in there, I went in and put a deposit on him but did not tell my son. Then we went back in to see him, and the woman said, "Oh, he has been adopted," and my son's heart just broke. He said, "Oh, momma, he's got a home, but maybe we can get another one?" Then I pulled out his collar, and I had already had it engraved. I said, "He did get adopted, and he's going with us." It was a moment for sure.
Does Hugh respond to your music?
I do sing to him a little bit. At first he didn't know what to think. He's young, so he barked at suitcases and guitar cases, anything big he barks at it. But I think he is responding well. I'm starting to sing to him more and more. He will just sink into my neck, and the more I did it the more he responded. It's a relaxer, and our dog trainer that we had a couple of times told us to massage him and help him adapt to new environments. He gets a little shoulder rub and he just loves it, and it's all good.
What about the relationship between your son and Hugh?
Hayes just loves Hugh. They say don't get a dog to teach your children responsibilities, but I mean, come on. You certainly can't put all the responsibilities on the children, but it really gives him a connection to being responsible for the livelihood of another being. My son was only 9 at the time, and he really got the fulfillment, just things like filling the dog bowl, helping me walk him. He was going through a scared faze, and he would call Hugh and say, "Come on Hugh, we have to go upstairs and brush our teeth," so he didn't have to go by himself.
Does he stay with Hayes all night?
He will stay with Hayes for a bit, then he comes to his momma. I use an electric blanket, so he wants to be in my bed.
How has Hugh helped you with new chapters in your life?
He has been a buddy. I share custody with my son, and he is with me half the time. So to come home and just have somebody eager to see you is great. It is really nice to have that consistent unconditional love and someone that counts on you. He knows a lot of what I'm feeling. I talk to him a lot, but he will never tell.
If you were to write a song about Hugh, what would it be called?
Oh my gosh, what would I title it? Maybe "Slow Down" or "Thanks." I just think of these sweet little sentiments, very to the point.
What are some of your favorite things about this breed?
On his paperwork it says Chihuahua min pin (miniature pinscher), but I had a min pin, and I know he is not that. Plus he is white and black. I love the smaller breeds for me just because I like them inside, I don't like them to shed. I like them to be able to cuddle up and sit in your lap, things like that. I think he is more rat terrier, that is what he acts like. He digs and grips and really acts like a rat terrier.
Does he do any tricks?
He will sit and stay. The little tiny tennis balls are his thing. He freaks out over the balls. He chews the outside of them off so they are just raw. You know what he does? On any squeaky toy he will chew the squeaker out and then spits it out. He won't swallow it, he just chews it out of the toy.
Is he high maintenance?
Oh no, he is super easy, one bath a week. Like I said, he doesn't shed.
Do you or will you take him on the road with you?
I will. If we're gone I have a wonderful dog trainer here in California that worked at Lucky Puppy, so he likes it there and there are other dogs there at her house, so that is kind of nice.
Besides the ball what are some of Hugh's favorite things?
The best invention ever is the toothpaste tube of peanut butter. Then you put that on the bones so we do that for special treats. He doesn't eat people food because I don't want him begging. Three meals a day, that's it. He loves food for sure.
How do you spoil him?
I talk to him. I baby talk him to death. "Hey angel, how's it going sweet pea?," really high pitched. Cuddling with him, sleeping with him. I take him in the car a lot, just if I'm running errands or out driving.
What have you learned from having him in your life?
Being willing to take a chance again. I lost a dog, Gibson, that I had for 13 years. I swore I would never get another, because once you go through that it is so hard. I had to put him down, so I was hesitant, but having him, I look forward, honestly, because my son, God-willing, when he is in high school he will be the constant thing as life changes as it's coming at me in different phases. I will have this little consistent buddy.
