Fireworks this week

[Lee Charles Kelley]

Hi, Donnie,

As I was out with a couple of dogs I realized something that I sometimes tell my clients when they inherit a dog with the type of name that may have negative connections: "Li'l Bastard," "Prince of Darkness," "Spawn of Satan," etc.

Jinxsie may not be able to tell the difference between her given name and a new one like Genie or Dindi (pr. Jeen-gee),* but, on an unconscious level, if we're always calling our dog by a name that has negative connotations for us ("That damn dog is jinx!"), it can actually affect the dog's behavior because of how we unconsciously relate to the name.

I inherited my Dalmatian, Freddie, who came to me with a name I had no love or affinity for. But try as I might, I was unable to find a satisfactory replacement that he'd respond to. So I searched my brain and realized that one of my favorite songs, "On the Street Where You Live," was sung by the character of Freddie in My Fair Lady. The character was sort of feckless, but he was hopelessly in love with Eliza Doolittle, just as I was hopelessly in love with Fred. Once I came up with a positive emotional connection with Freddie's name, I no longer held anything back when thinking about him or calling him or whatever. All I felt was pure love.

So I always recommend that people use a name that will have a purely positive connotation for them because it will also automatically have a purely positive effect on their dog's behavior. Food for thought.

LCK

*Dindi was the nickname of a Brazilian singer name Sylvia Telles. Antonio Carlos Jobim wrote a song about her. An English-lyric version was sung by Frank Sinatra and others. It's a lovely tune.

[Lee Charles Kelley]

Hi, Donnie,

As I was out with a couple of dogs I realized something that I sometimes tell my clients when they inherit a dog with the type of name that may have negative connections: "Li'l Bastard," "Prince of Darkness," "Spawn of Satan," etc.

Jinxsie may not be able to tell the difference between her given name and a new one like Genie (the dog can grant our wishes!) or Dindi (pr. N'jeen-gee),* but, on an unconscious level, if we're always calling our dog by a name that has negative connotations for us ("That damn dog is jinx!"), it can actually affect the dog's behavior because of how we unconsciously relate to the name.

I inherited my Dalmatian, Freddie, who came to me with a name I had no love or affinity for. But try as I might, I was unable to find a satisfactory replacement that he'd respond to. So I searched my brain and realized that one of my favorite songs, "On the Street Where You Live," was sung by the character of Freddie in My Fair Lady. The character was sort of feckless, but he was hopelessly in love with Eliza Doolittle, just as I was hopelessly in love with Fred. Once I came up with a positive emotional connection with Freddie's name, I no longer held anything back when thinking about him or calling him or whatever. All I felt was pure love.

So I always recommend that people use a name that will have a purely positive connotation for them because it will also automatically have a purely positive effect on their dog's behavior. Food for thought.

LCK

*Dindi was the nickname of a Brazilian singer name Sylvia Telles. Antonio Carlos Jobim wrote a song about her. An English-lyric version was sung by Frank Sinatra and others. It's a lovely tune, with a lovely lyric:

"If I only had words I would say all the beautiful things that I see when you're with me, Dindi. I'd let you go away if you'd take me with you, Dindi.
Like a river that can't find the sea, that would be me without you, my Dindi."