Here's Joey waiting right now for Daddy to quit slummin' on FR and go chase chipmunks with him:
Posted on 04/04/2008 6:07:02 AM PDT by Cagey
Fido and Rover are 'so' yesterday.
When it comes to naming dogs, Americans are opting for names that are downright human. A survey using data from the computers of Veterinary Pet Insurance says the top four male dog names are Max, Buddy, Rocky, and Bailey. For female canines, it's Bella, Molly, Lucy, and Maggie.
The trend is no accident, according to those who work with dogs and humans at the Animal Humane Society. "What strikes me most about the list is the amount of people names on that list, and it all just gets back to the human/animal bond," commented Kathy Johnson, AHS Director of Veterinary Services. "Animals are being valued more in our society. There are places we don't even refer to ourselves as 'their owners', we're their guardians now, so I think this is just a trend we're seeing, that they're a part of our family." AHS President and CEO Janelle Dixon agrees, noting that people who used to keep their dogs in a kennel out back are now pushing them down the street in strollers. "People say animals have moved from the back yard, to the house, to the bedroom."
An informal survey at the Lake of the Isles dog park generally supports the trend. While dogs named Snapper and Dasher sprinted around to their hearts content, they were accompanied by furry pals with human sounding names; Vinny, Rosie, Riley, and Pearl. "Don't most dogs have human names?" Riley's chaperone, Gretta Morrison asked. "I think they do." Even those who opted for less human names chuckled at the thought of calling for a dog named Jim. "I think human names are funny, actually," said Mark McMillan, as his wife Katherine nodded. "Whatever works, you know."
We have a golden retriever named Pete and a bernese mountain dog named Sadie. Prior to that we had Jake and Annie, of the same respective breeds.
A friend has a three-legged dog named Trinity.
I talked her out of “Tripod.”
I have a cat named Bob, who thinks he’s a dog.
What Wideawake said is fact.
I had a cat for 20 years. He was my baby and I treated him as such. Then I had my first daughter and he became secondary to her.
My niece was so much of an animal person it was silly. She used to yell at my two year old for touching her cat in a way she didn’t like. I explained to her that I can tell the child not to pull the cat’s tail but really only the cat can teach the child the lesson. When she was scratched, she wouldn’t do it again. The niece was not happy with it. AND NOW, she has a two year old and who does the same to her cats. She understands.
Once my kids are grown, my animals will be the babies again. That’s okay but it’s also a fact.
>>I am so guilty<<
Trust me. Have been before kids and most probably will be again as an “empty nester”.
But a stroller? No way. The dog forces me to walk. It’s her job to walk too. And chase birds, and eat poo and pull me along. She does have a raincoat though!
Our dogs are Valence and Neutron. We get weird looks sometimes. The cats are Alpha and Beta.
Growing up my family had a dog named Harry but that was because nobody could agree what to name him.
I understand treating animals like children - go back and read her comment. She said they were children for those who “never bothered to have kids” - it was her usual slam at childless couples/women.
1. Tut (King Tutenkarmen)
2. Ra (Egyptian sun god)
3. Nef (Nefertiti, pharoh's wife)
4. Boots (has white feet)
5. Frannie (given to me with that name)
(Click on my name to see four of my dogs)
Not everyone is in a position to have children and not everyone wants them. If they want a dog or cat instead, it is their business.
My brothers dog was Ginger and my sister had a Dog named Cinnamon so I named my Basil. I had a dog that earned the name Dumb Dumb. He went to great effort to prove it. There are many people I can think of that also have earned he right to be called Dumb Dumb.
Two chihuahuas named Fidel & Charo.
Honestly, I do know couples like that.
Constant slams to the breeders, (kids drive me nuts, babies smell, I’m not giving up my lifestyle, yada, yada, yada) yet have dogs they dress and have birthday parties for.
It’s not about those who haven’t had kids or kids are grown, it is about those who choose not to have kids and are not grateful for those who do. One day those breeders will provide the kids who work to take care of the non-breeders.
My girls will be feeding me my strained peas (yuk)
I’m surprised about Bailey. We just rescued a 3 year old Cocker and chose that name becuase it sounded unique.
Other dogs in the house-
Kody the Siberian (also a pound dog) and Roxy the Golden (got as a puppy).
Just maybe, those are folks that make the world a little better by not having children.
>>Just maybe, those are folks that make the world a little better by not having children<<
I’m not sure about that. I’ve known two couples like this who “surprise!” got pregnant. Both are wonderful with the kids and now do the parties for children, no more doggie parties.
And it seems the dogs are happier too!
My dog is Faust, but sometimes he goes by Dr. Faustus. ;)
Please criticize me all you like, but don't assume that your criticism has any grounds.
It's a pretty well-known phenomenon that people put off getting married and having children because of career goals or the inability to make important life decisions - only to regret later that they did not have children.
Our kitties were the only two in their litter - Caspar & Lara. They are the best of friends and tend to panic if one has to go to the vet without the other. They like to eat together, side by side, just like when they were babies I suppose.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.