Cock-a-DOWDLE-do

Cock-a-Dowdle-doo!  We are introducing a new symbol for the Dowdle. This is not something we are doing lightly, but this is the right time and the right message. The iconic symbol for the Dowdle brand, going forward is the rooster! Why the rooster?  Here are the reasons we are adopting this brilliant new symbol and why we hope you join us.

When Eric first brought up the idea of the rooster as a symbol of the company, we did some searching. As a boy in Boise, ID, he was responsible for tending the brood of hens. It is clear if you look at his paintings and if you know any of his history, Eric loves chickens. We began looking into different aspects of the rooster; for example, it is the tenth of twelve symbols for the Chinese Zodiac, and Eric is the tenth of twelve children. Then there are the traits of the rooster like:

(Roosters) are deep thinkers, and the Roosters' personality is considered to be honest, bright, communicative, ambitious, capable and warm-hearted. Strong self-respect and seldom relying on others are their basic characteristics. As most of them are born pretty or handsome, they prefer to dress up. They have a quick mind and hot temper. They like to be busy and neat. With strong enterprise and conscientiousness…(source*)

It certainly seemed to point to the rooster because it is a personification of Eric. Au contraire, Eric is not a Rooster; he is a Monkey…  ahem; I am, of course, talking about the Chinese Zodiac here.  His symbol is the Monkey. So, nope, that is not why. 

But if that is not it, why? In his own words, Eric said, "I love to represent life and the nostalgic way we used to live. When I paint black and white Holstein cows, a shanty chicken coop, or flaxen-yellow wheat fields dancing in the wind, like a Grant Wood painting, it is because I want to show the way life can be." We are about telling stories. Our stories are in rolling hills dotted with scrub oak, billowy cumulus clouds; trees branches bursting with children; and grandmothers carrying baskets full of fruit or bread to a neighbor. The rooster is a symbol of those Americana memories. He is the first to salute the sun. He meets the day and calls the other animals to action. He stands alone, he's strong, he's beautiful, and he leads. You have stories that need to be told too and we want to hear and help share these. "To me, the rooster represents hope and a new day." Eric said, "I've chosen the rooster for what it stands for to me. I believe there is art in everything we say and do. I want everyone to wake up every day eager to embrace the moment. I am so fortunate to live in a free land, and I believe freedom is the fertile ground for creativity. That's what the rooster represents to me."

There you have it. You will soon begin seeing this bright, beautiful rooster adorning our Dowdle products.  When you see it, we hope you will join us in adopting the mindset of greeting the new day and seizing the opportunities it offers. Choose to crank up your creativity and find your joy. Every day provides the chance to embrace your life or make the change you choose to make it better, and we want to bring these aspects to everyone's lives.  So, as we said before, Cock-a-Dowdle (get out there and) doo.