Why is it that millions of people can name their children-to-be after all they’ve seen is an outline of a bean in an ultrasound, and yet half of the MDIC readership requires a full-color photograph of the dog currently known as Rosie in order to come up with an appropriate moniker?
Then again, I live with her and I can’t figure out what the hell to call her.
At long last, here’s the big red ball of cuteness:
You might find some similarities between her and Hanu—she is practically his Mini-Me. The above photo was actually taken by Hanu’s dad, AKA the friend my mother once described as being “fit and firm.” As you can see, she’s got quite a few ribs showing—today my vet recommended she put on over 10 pounds. So I’m feeding her SIX CUPS OF FOOD A DAY plus a little wet food for good measure (that’s a shit-ton of food for a 57 pound girl).
Names so far that have been suggested:
Cali
Lily
Ruti
Rutabaga
Lita (as in Rosalita—awesome for two reasons: the connection to the old name and the Springsteen reference)
Cedar
Racer (because she’s got an “eraser nose”)
Aranka
Kendy
Libby
River
Alejandro
Snowshoe
Boadicea
Roja
Roda
Ruby
Unah (Hanu backwards)
Racecar (palindrome)
Mrs. Lincoln
Gigi
Amber
Trixie
Canna
Zoe
Decoy
Stella
Catfish
So far Cali, Ruti and Lita are winning. But I’ve been calling her Rosie, and she’s been responsive to it—so it may end up sticking. Anyway, it’s bedtime. Stories about her to come.
21 responses so far ↓
1 Karin Leak // Jan 31, 2008 at 10:41 pm
oh my god she’s aDOORable!
2 lizzy // Feb 1, 2008 at 8:47 am
Wow. What a cutie. If she stays Rosie, it’ll inevitably turn into Rosie-Posey or Nosy Rosie or Nosy or Nosedog or Nosedive or Diver or Digger or just plain DogStar.
I do like Racecar, though. That’s an excellent dog name.
3 Natalie B // Feb 1, 2008 at 9:09 am
oh, she’s so cute!!! what a sweetie! congrats!!
4 jiffer // Feb 1, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Cozie, rhymes with Rosie so she would pick it up pretty quickly and i bet she is a great snuggler.
As for naming a child before it is born, let me tell you, it is not an easy task. i am operating on the theory that the name we choose influences the personality. so we have to come up with a professional grown-up sounding name that lends itself to good shortening or fun, outgoing, energetic nicknames.
congratulations on the new puppy, she is a cutie.
5 Hanu's Aunt // Feb 1, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Wow - she really does look like Hanu! I vote for the name “racer” - her nose is the cutest!
6 michael5000 // Feb 1, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Boadecia! Boadecia!
7 Karin Leak // Feb 2, 2008 at 2:47 am
Okay, now I’m thinking Sadie.
8 Truly // Feb 2, 2008 at 5:02 am
SO CUTE! Okay - so now I now shes a she, Alejandro is out. No white paws: no snowshoe. I really like the name Catfish for a dog. I also love the idea of you calling out in the park, “Mrs. Lincoln! Mrs. Lincoln!” and a dog bounding up to you instead of a little old lady. Little old ladies should bound up to people like dogs more often. Ha!
Sorry to say, but Rosie might stick. Sometimes you can’t help these things. Last, middle, and nicknames can be more personalized. But sometimes a thing’s name is a thing’s name. Rosie becomes Rosebud (said in dying Citizen Kane voice) becomes Bud becomes Buddy becomes Buttercup becomes Princess Buttercup. At this point you’ve got to explain to people why a ginger haired dog is named Princess Buttercup, as surely only labs and blonde lapdogs are named that. I like those stories and when it happens. Its like The Stink, you know?
9 fern // Feb 2, 2008 at 9:44 am
OMG, i love her!! congrats so much for getting your new little friend. wow. she’s adorable. i want to steal her and hide her in my bathtub. Names huh? Tough call. i’m not a fan of Rosie either, but maybe it will grow on you. let’s think. you could name her after a famous person. Cate Blanchett. or your favorite fruit. Guava. i like Racer a lot too. i’d be tempted to call her Ruby cuz she’s red.
can’t wait to hear stories about her. and so good to see the homemade dog bed back in use. Aw, I’m so happy for you I’m grinning from ear to ear.
10 fern // Feb 2, 2008 at 10:09 am
i am back to say Lily! and i see it’s on your list. love it!
11 Andra // Feb 2, 2008 at 11:18 am
I just got an audiobook of Ramona The Pest for my nephew. If I lived in Portland, I would definitely name my dog Ramona for Portland’s version of New York’s Eloise–
Come to think of it, Eloise isn’t bad either.
12 MaximaBella // Feb 2, 2008 at 12:50 pm
isnt alejandro a boys name?? shouldnt it be Alejandra?
13 malahat sunset // Feb 2, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Laura - Well, DAG! - who came up with Cedar? I thought I was the first one to think of that for a pet name, and had it reserved for a marmalade cat I may one day inherit. And uh-uh for Chevy, because I’ll always think of the Springer next door in Ridgefield.
I like Kendy, Cali and Lily (or how about Katherine Hepburn’s Callalilly?).
For a people name, I’d like to suggest Julie. For a more pet-like moniker, how about Trinket?
By the way, what a luscious nose!
14 Karin Leak // Feb 3, 2008 at 10:14 pm
oooh, Stella’s good. or Rusty. Still like Sadie.
15 Boo // Feb 3, 2008 at 10:46 pm
She is very beautiful. What a sweetie. Rosie is a great name too.
I look forward to reading more about her. So glad she is yours!
ryc: I know. It’s one effed up can a soda fo sho. But I like it a little. I used to make chocolate phosphates as my first job. It is only the ghost of a reminder though. If you think that’s ick though, Walden Farms makes a calorie free chocolate fruit dip. I think that’s from the debbil.
16 Meredith // Feb 4, 2008 at 6:28 pm
She is just a doorbell! Or, adorable in the parlance of people who haven’t spent time in New York clubs and with too many three year olds to count over the past few days might say.
17 Meredith // Feb 4, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Oh, also…Dog names: Ginger, or perhaps, Tracker…
18 Lori // Feb 5, 2008 at 7:30 am
I guess I am the odd ball with liking GiGi. I can just hear you calling that name across a Frisbess field!
19 Jane // Feb 5, 2008 at 9:29 am
Rosie seems great, now that I see her. My mom had a sweet retired greyhound named Rosey, so I’m partial to it already.
I do like Rosalita, and you can always call her Lita for short, but to be honest, “little Rosa” doesn’t look like she’ll end up being all that small. If that matters to you.
20 Kathryn // Feb 5, 2008 at 10:41 am
she’s fabulous
and absolutely looks like a “Scout”
21 ashley // Feb 5, 2008 at 3:13 pm
cute cute cute!! i love her! i still like cedar and ruby. racer is pretty cool too, though.
sounds like rosie might just stick though. i’m sure by the time it’s all said and done she will have about a million nicknames so maybe it doesn’t really matter anyways!