We were reading one of Kathleen Anderson’s columns in The JOLT -- "What's in a name?" -- and it dawned on us how often this moment comes up with pet owners when choosing a name.
People choose the names for their pets for a variety of reasons and, because of that special bond we share with them, it makes every one of our relationships with our pets a special moment.
Our reasons for choosing a particular name are as varied as our animals. No two Bellas or Charlies are the same, even though, according to a 2023 U.S. News & World Report survey, those were two of the top ten dog names in the U.S.
Some people may choose their pet’s names based on a character from a movie, song or book. They may choose one because of a special moment, time or even a favorite song they shared with a loved one or just one event which has a significant place in their own heart or memories. Some may just like the name. Whatever the reason, every name is perfect as it was chosen especially for this animal.
The only exception to this opinion is that some people who adopt an animal with a given name sometimes retain the name, and others rename the pet because they feel it just doesn’t fit the pet or they just don’t like the name.
In 2023, the top 10 dog names in the U.S. were: 1) Bella 2) Luna 3) Max 4) Daisy 5) Charlie 6) Coco 7) Buddy 8) Lucy 9) Milo 10) Bailey
The top 5 dog names in Washington state were 1) Luna 2) Bella 3) Charlie 4) (tie) Daisy, Buddy 5) Max.
Over the years, we’ve either owned or known dogs named Rusty, Smoky, Beau, Nicki, Jasper, Bella, Miko I thru V, Remington, Cheyenne, Hunter, (another) Bella, Lucy, Jax, Tank, Murphy, Bosco, Togger, Zeus, Mandi, Brandi, (another) Jasper, Edwin, Dexter, Mack, Porter, Teika, Asha, Sage, Toshiro, LoJo, Obi, Peanut, Bucky, Kixx, Lady and Maggie.
Not surprisingly, as reported by Rover.com, some of these same names appeared on their 2023 list for most popular cat names: 1) Luna 2) Milo 3) Oliver 4) Leo 5) Bella 6) Charlie 7) Lily 8) Kitty 9)Lucy 10) Loki.
The list of cat names touching our lives is equally long and distinguished. It all started with Mickey. He and Thom used to roam their backyard together, his very own Puff the Magic Dragon”. He was followed by Clip, Cleo, Ming Tree, Sanjuro, Pachinko, Akira, Kitty-san, Nekko, Haruko, Sunshine, Kitty, Willow, Pippin, Bolt, Almond, Oyster, Fishtopher (Topher for short) Suki, Momo, Pekan and Oscar (named after the colorful Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman), Mouse and Mobley.
One of the most amazing and magical parts of this story is how our beloved animals seem to transform their characteristics to meet their name.
Lady was just that. Maggie was every part of the fun and lovable girl you could possibly imagine, as was her friend Mandi. Zeus was very much the protector, as were Remington, Cheyenne and Hunter. Nicki, Jasper and Bella were quite the trio, while Peanut was the cute little dog her name implies. Toshiro was every bit the proud and stoic actor he was named after, and LoJo was the sweetest boy you will ever meet.
Sanjuro was the largest cat in our history of cat ownership and the only one allowed in the apartment building back then, everyone knew Sanjuro. Pachinko would bounce around as a kitten but became the proud matriarch to Akira and Toshiro in her later years. Sunshine was every bit of that to my mother. Willow and Pippin make quite the team as do Pekan and Oscar. Nekko would lounge around once he realized he had found his forever home.
HD was a parakeet who brought much joy by singing and sitting on your shoulder before passing. Even today his memory lives on as the outside birdfeeder, where as many as thirty birds at one time have gathered, is known as HD’s place.
Pet mice, back in teenager years, were known as Musashi and Kojiro.
Guinea pigs belonging to our young friend Lee were known as Princess and Brownie. (You can guess what color Brownie was.)
Even the wildlife in our lives have gotten names. Raccoons have become Rocky, Rupert, Little Chef, Betty, Bobbi, Bob and Patches. Possums are now Petey and Paulie. Douglas Squirrels are now Douglas and Dennis while Eastern Gray Squirrels are now Jackpot and Jackpot Jr., still working on the name for the other 15. Deer are named after Gunsmoke TV characters with Marshall being the biggest and Chester named for the one with a limp. His son who has all the markings but no limp is named Chester Jr. The does are all Mama and the babies are just baby deer (yes, we know they are called fawns).
Pet names are so wonderful and important because, sadly, when they pass, just the mentioning of their names bring back all the wonderful memories we have of them.
Thank you, Kathleen. Great headline!
“The hunter had lived much with dogs and had come to learn that the longer he lived with them, the more there was to marvel at and love.” ~ Zane Grey
Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn are neighbors and close friends who share their love of animals and wildlife. Trish and Thom are residents of Tumwater. Contact them at pets@theJOLTnews.com.
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