Most of the dogs that come into Turtle Gardens are pound pups without a name.  One of the first gifts we give the newbies is a name - an identity of their very own.  With 200 dogs a year coming in names are a chore. Sometimes the dog will "tell" me his/her name. I will look at the dog and a name will pop into my head - they communicated their name to me. Those names really suit the dog - and generally stay with the dog after adoption.  Sometimes a colour or personality help me choose their name. Like Ruby Red or Shyla/Shylo for a shy dog. Or time of year - like Merry, Grinch and Holly who arrived just before Christmas. Then there are names  with meanings like Yoru - dark night in Japanese (she is a black border collie/chow) or Adoni which means fiery sunset in Haida - that really suited the russet coloured boy!  Lorna named Plato because he had such a"dead" personality!! I thought it suited him as he is a philosopher - he is calm and placid - a thinker so his brothers were named similar to match - Sampson and Moses. I will name mom and pups to a letter - if the mother is Sally then all the pups will have "S" names.
   The trio from Thursday need names. The smallest is a black and tan male shepherd mix and looks a lot like Walter. I have been calling him Little Walter - now he is Willie.  The female is an obvious runner and can really run fast! So her name is Cindy after Cindy Klassen the Olympic speed skater!!  The last fellow is also a runner so he is named Charles after Charles Hammelin another speed skater who won the Championship in Sudbury recently (Sudbury is my hometown!)   Names mean a lot. A name can reflect rightly or wrongly the dog’s personality like Storm - she was renamed Aimee by Lorna and a friend is what she is. Names help the dogs find homes and give them a sense of belonging. Names are important!

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.