[Dailydrool] On the naming of hounds

[Pamela McQuade via Dailydrool]

I have a slightly different take on naming hounds. I believe that if 
they stay long enough, they will tell you their names. That being said, 
I have generally stuck with the names our adoptees came with of 
something close to it, since they have had so much confusion before they 
hit our home, and I hesitate to cause more.

Lady Jane, however, came to us as a puppy. My dad wanted to call her 
Lady, the name of a dog from his youth. I added on the Jane because Lady 
was such a common name. When a childhood friend of mine was getting a 
bit above herself, her mom once called her Lady Jane. Don't tell me 
bassets don't get above themselves too. It was the perfect name--Jane 
ruled the house until she was twelve and bossy Holly knocked her off her 
throne.

Belvedere came to us with his name, but I usually called him Bel or 
Belvie. Since people often thought it was Belle and that he was a girl, 
I often called him BelBoy. One day, when we were leaving the 
BoardWaddle, someone came and offered to help move another person's 
luggage. When he used the word "bellboy," my beautiful hound cutely 
cocked his head, wondering why this invisible stranger on the second 
floor was calling his name.

Alexis came with her name. I hated it and didn't think it fit, so I 
tried calling her Grace instead. She would not answer to it, so she was 
Alexis (or Lex) or Alexis Grace all the rest of her days.

Abner (probably named for Lil Abner, because he was so short) had the 
perfect name when he came. But Drew always objected that he was not the 
Abner of the Bible, who was a "mighty man of valor." Abs (or Abu Ahrooo) 
was a huge coward. But that's probably because his back hurt all the 
time.

Holly came to us with the name Olly Olly Oxen Free. I could not call her 
Olly, which seemed more like a boy's name. On the way home, Drew and I 
talked about it, and he suggested Holly. Since she is a sweet little old 
lady, when she's not beating up on poor, blind Dexter, it seemed to suit 
her. She accepted it graciously and in a moment, so I assume she 
approved.

Dexter came with his name, which is not my favorite. If we'd had the 
naming of him, he'd be called something else. But somehow the name suits 
him, so it has stayed.

Sue Mason of Tri-State fostered Horton, who came into rescue with the 
name Freckles. Since TSBHR had just had a Freckles in rescue, she 
renamed him. Because I am an editor and book lover, I loved the name. 
Horton seems to, too. Because he's so fearful, I say he often hears Whos 
that we cannot hear (remember, those of you who have not had children 
recently, that Horton Hears a Who). He's also called Horton the Very 
Fearful.

Pam, food slave to all the Dashing Bassets