a yellow dog

A YELLOW DOGI never knew why in the Western States of America a yellow dogshould be proverbially considered the acme of canine degradationand incompetency, nor why the possession of one should seriouslyaffect the social standing of its possessor. But the fact beingestablished, I think we accepted it at Rattlers Ridge withoutquestion. The matter of ownership was more difficult to settle;and although the dog I have in my mind at the present writingattached himself impartially and equally to everyone in camp, noone ventured to exclusively claim him; while, after theperpetration of any canine atrocity, everybody repudiated him withindecent haste....