Having written "Bonnie Dundee" earlier in the day, Scott noted in his journal for Dec. 22, 1825, that his friend "J.B." (presumably James Ballantyne) might be able to provide a sensitive critique: the man had "good taste," though there was "a little of _Big Bow-Wow_ about it."

The previous year, the collection "The Vocal Library" (p. 343) included comic song lyrics by "O'Keefe," whose canine theme carried the burden, "Bow wow wow, Fal lal la [etc.?]." Titled "I'll sing you a song," it goes to the popular measure of "Unfortunate Miss Bailey."

"O'Keefe" [sic] is possibly be the Irish writer John O'Keeffe (1747-1833).