Help name the First Pooch
What's in a dog's name? I've been thinking about that today.
I was at Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) earlier today and noticed a baby-naming book on the counter. The staff works hard on naming because statistics show that cuter names help shelter dogs and cats find homes, said executive director Jennifer Mead-Brause. (The 3-year-old terrier/pit bull mix pictured is up for adoption and is named Noodle. You won't find that in a baby book - at least not yet - but I think it's adorable.)
"If you have two cats in a cage and you name them Peanut Butter and Jelly, they'll definitely get adopted faster," she said.
One of the funniest names I ever heard was at the vet's office.
A man came in for his pet's appointment and said: "My dog's name is Mud." I laughed out loud. He explained that he wanted to be able to turn to his dog and say: Your name is Mud.
Then, of course, we have the matter of the First Dog's name. In the People magazine article out Friday, First Lady Michelle Obama says she's vetoed the names that daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, have come up with so far.
"Oh, the names are really bad. I don't even want to mention it, because there are names floating around and they're bad," People quoted Mrs. Obama as saying. "You listen and you go – like, I think, Frank was one of them. Frank! Moose was another one of them. Moose. I said, well, what if the dog isn't a moose? Moose. I'm like, no, come on, let's work with the names a little bit."
The dog's arrival isn't until April, but it's not too soon to be thinking about names.
Do you have a name to suggest for the soon-to-be First Dog? Please share it below. With Moose in the running, it's clear they need our help.
Photo courtesy of BARCS
Comments
If it's a girl ... Hope
If it's a boy ... Audacity
Posted by: Tom Smith | February 26, 2009 5:02 PM
Chope: Change & Hope combined
Posted by: CHOPE | February 26, 2009 5:48 PM
how about "Justice"? i have a friend, who happens to work at the Supreme Court, who named her cat that. very cute...
Posted by: Lori | February 26, 2009 8:20 PM
deficit?
inflation?
nah, why burden the poor pooch...
Posted by: petlover | February 26, 2009 8:22 PM
GRANT (for Grant Park in Chicago)
Posted by: ellie | February 26, 2009 8:25 PM
as the proud mother/owner of an adorable kitten named Frank, I am officially offended! :)
Posted by: joc | February 26, 2009 8:29 PM
I vote for: laissez-faire
It's cute, French, political and the puppy will have a mind of its own and want to do as he/she pleases without much interference!
Posted by: Puddy'sgal | February 26, 2009 8:34 PM
flip-flop
Posted by: Ash | February 26, 2009 8:36 PM
howzabout WHIP or EARMARK or BALLOT or CAUCUS. something cutesy and political.
Posted by: doggone | February 26, 2009 8:40 PM
The Patriot Arf.
Lucky Dog.
Special Interest.
Ivy League.
Posted by: Lynnee | February 26, 2009 8:43 PM
Just don't call him "Bill"!
Posted by: G. JETSON | February 26, 2009 8:47 PM
Lenin or Marx
Posted by: Ted | February 26, 2009 9:29 PM
Veto;
full name 'Veto' Corleone
Posted by: MILTON WEINBERGERR | February 26, 2009 9:53 PM
Morris Gibson IV
Posted by: Morris Gibson III | February 26, 2009 9:56 PM
No suggestions for the Obamas, but my Mom used to have a cat named Mud. Shortly after he started showing up at their house and they started feeding him, he decided to thank them by darting inside with a half-dead mouse as their reward. And, yes, just like in the vet's office, his name was Mud. (Luckily, they're forgiving and had Mud for several years.)
A cat named Mud! How wonderful. It cracks me up how he decided to "thank" them. Mud sounds like a lucky cat. MC
Posted by: KristinB | February 27, 2009 11:42 AM
Primero (for First Dog)!
Posted by: BeagleMom | February 27, 2009 11:48 AM
P.S. I wonder how many people are naming their pets Barack Obama or something related to the first family?
That's interesting. I may have to do some research on this. MC
Posted by: BeagleMom | February 27, 2009 11:52 AM
Bark Obama
Posted by: jj | February 27, 2009 12:38 PM
Since they are interestedi n a PWD or portie or Portgagese Water Dog which were bred to help fishermen pull nets out the water how about BailOut?
Posted by: Sharon Dlubala | February 27, 2009 12:55 PM
i think if its a girl maybe hearts and if its a boy name frogger love beaglelover1999
Posted by: beaglelover1999 | February 27, 2009 2:32 PM
I think the Obamas should name their dog, "Flag"--appropriate since the American Flag is so important, and because the end of a Portuguese Water Dog's tail is referred to as a "flag". This is also a good name for a male or female "Portie". PWD's are a loving, bouncy and fun breed. Excellent choice for a young, energetic, (and presidential) family. We absolutely LOVE our ("Portie") girl.
From, Loving Lola in Babylon
Posted by: Denise N. D. Y. | February 27, 2009 3:08 PM
A little off topic, but my husband's students once had a contest to name a pair of goldfish. The winning names: "Lunch" and "Dinner."
Posted by: Dahlink | February 27, 2009 4:33 PM
How about TARP? Or Change?
Posted by: Good Reader Helen | February 27, 2009 6:12 PM
My sister has a Portuguese Water Dog that has a long wavy coat. She is a great puppy and has beautiful markings -- black with white chest, feet and tail. I think it is called Irish markings. They named her Zipporah. That was the name of Moses' wife in the Bible.
Posted by: Gale | February 27, 2009 7:53 PM
This dog is all white . .how about Caspar - ( ghost)
Posted by: Geri | March 2, 2009 12:21 AM
He should name the Dog " Pickles" if he likes Pickles. or maybe after one of the seven dwarfs life Thumper? and of course Gracie is always such a pretty name for a girl.
Posted by: Anna M Ferrannini | March 5, 2009 5:05 PM
A girl: Macree ('My Love' in Gaelic) or Moneygall - the Irish connection; or a boy: Scully or Madden...Maggie/Galway/Ireland
Posted by: maggie carthy | April 10, 2009 2:01 PM
If they get it around Easter, the dog should be called "Bunny".
Posted by: Kino | April 10, 2009 5:47 PM