'Celebrity' doesn't give a doggone for attention

WESTERN BRANCH

Scarlett has all of the makings of a diva. The Chesapeake cover girl strutted her stuff Sunday, wearing only a sparkly silver bling around her neck as she wowed the shoppers at Chesapeake Square mall.

Cell phone flashbulbs reflected off her sleek fawn hair with brown lowlights as the first-name-only celebrity politely feigned interest in her admirers.

Then bored at all of the attention, Scarlett snuffled the air once or twice before plopping down in front of the magazine cover that showcased her assets: come-hither brown eyes and a sexy under-bite punctuated by a pair of protruding incisors. A red bow on the top of her saucily-titled head completed the perfect picture of an English bulldog.

Scarlett shares living space and affection with her owner, Lina Mercer, who grew up in the St. Bride's area of Chesapeake and graduated from Hickory High School.

Lina then went to Old Dominion University, graduating with a double major in finance and real estate. Armed with the degrees and 10 years experience working at Herb's Hot Dog stand, Mercer moved to New York City a year ago, where she sells real estate.

"Herb Poindexter taught me everything I know about how to talk to people, how to maintain business relationships, how to manage a business and what it takes to make it in real estate," Mercer said of the man who died last weekend. "Without those 10 years of making hotdogs and chopping onions... who knows where I would be."

Scarlett already lives the privileged life of the young and beautiful. She spends her summers in Virginia with Mercer's parents, Linda and Rick, and spring and fall in New York City.

Dogs are allowed almost anywhere in New York City, so Scarlett goes shopping on Madison Avenue, socializes at doggie daycare and does brunch.

"Scarlett has tons of personality," Mercer said of her pet. "She's sassy, demanding, loving and just overall amazing."

The pooch even has an agent. When Fido Magazine saw her picture on the Internet, they picked her for their December cover, which was released Nov. 19. A "paw signing" was held at Waldenbook's at Chesapeake Square mall Sunday.

Scarlett waggled her backend as she sniffed and gave kisses. No autographs, please.

Devon Hubbard Sorlie, 222-5202, devon.sorlie@pilotonline.com