Help Us Name Our New Dog!
I wrote to my family today with some surprising news: we have a new dog! (This is surprising because no one knew that we were *looking* for a dog.)
Shannon and I have talked idly about getting a dog for a few years, but thanks to Pedigree's adoption campaign we decided to take it seriously this year. It was important to us to rescue an older dog – any breed, male and neutered, who was a right temperament fit. Based on the shelter/rescue group-standard list of dog personalities, we wanted a dog somewhere between a "teacher's pet" (me) and a "goofball" (Shannon). I'd also read that black dogs/cats were often left unadopted, but we didn't limit ourselves to black dogs.
ANYWAY: After my last meeting this afternoon, I went by the SPCA to 'just look' a little closer at two dogs that I had seen previously....and well, one of them looked back. Here's a little bit about 'Norman' (his shelter name):
We adopted him after he spent a few weeks in the shelter system, though it's evident from his behavior (and 'altered state') that he was a house pet at some point in his life. He's about 8 years old, a black labrador retriever mix, quietly friendly, perky for his age, and gentle with both adults and small children. The rest we're still taking notes on.
He's been carefully introduced to our cat, and initial indications are that he is very respectful of cats...which is a good thing, since the cat's vote is the most important one. We're optimistic and excited that he seems like such a great match!
Name suggestions are welcome, since he does not seem like a 'Norman' to us...do you have any ideas?
I'm partial to 'beta', the name of Will Pate's dog ;)
Posted by: Rob Hyndman | February 16, 2008 at 04:29 AM
Ha - we've also had people suggest we name him after our favorite font. Some other memorable suggestions from the family via email: Darth Maul, Batman, Milo, Coffee, and Cole. A couple of these are on the actual radar, but we want to get some more ideas before we decide.
Posted by: Christine | February 16, 2008 at 08:18 AM
How about MACHO (MAssive Compact Halo Object), one of the candidates for dark matter? It's better than WIMP (Weakly Interacting Massive Particle), even though WIMPs are probably the more likely winners in the dark matter search.
Posted by: Qian Wang | February 16, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Congratulations on your recent adoption! I have always had female dogs, so if I were to get another dog I thought about naming her Delilah to be Tallulah's companion. With that said, and seeing Norman, which you are right, he doesn't look like a Norman, but he could be Sampson, like in Sampson and Delilah. What do you think?
Posted by: Linda Kemmer | February 16, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Maybe try this: http://namemypuppy.net ;-)
Posted by: Tim | February 17, 2008 at 01:13 AM
Black and shiny, he looks like a 'Slick'.
Otherwise, if that's not Norman enough for you, he looks like a Roger.
Posted by: Craig | February 17, 2008 at 02:11 AM
Excellent! Names are a great way to pay homage to favorite people, places or characters. Pet names are even better, because pets usually don't get hurt feelings and kids don't beat them up or make fun of their names. Also, they can be long and have multiple names within while still only utilizing a nickname. I always prefer names that are ironic as well (eg a timid dog named killer). Since you like "Heros," you could name him Micah Sylar Petrelli the Cruel. Imagine the expressions you would get in the dog park when a stranger asks "What's his name?" Personally I would go with Leonitis king o the Spartans. Oh and congratulations on your new arrival. Rescue animals are the best.
Posted by: Tim S | February 17, 2008 at 07:20 AM
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions! After all of the name-storming and ideas, we've got a winner:
Please welcome COLE to our family!
Posted by: Christine | February 18, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Beau was the name of my preveouse dog and Beau in french meens handsome! And he does look very hansome I must say!
Posted by: Christine | March 07, 2008 at 03:05 PM