Nicknames

I've been thinking about the nicknames we give our dogs. The thought entered my mind while reading one of my favorite blogs, Nigel,Sola & Co. Mr. Author tells the story of how their chocolate lab, Truffles, joined their family and earned the nickname Fudgepants (here's the story). What a great nickname for a chockie - on so many levels!

Gracie has several nicknames. As a puppy, I suspect Gracie thought her name was actually Dammit Gracie. She was a wild, Tasmania-devil of a puppy. I have also had occasion to invoke her full given name - much like our mothers do when we are in trouble - Gracie Lou Freebush. Sandra Bullock fans will recognize this name as her character from the movie Miss Congeniality. As our adventures at the dog park testify, Gracie has easily won this title. Other nicknames come and go depending on the circumstances and events.

But the one nickname that has endured is Bug. The evolution of this nickname is a bit long and windy. It began with Gracie's first "precious," her stuffed toy called a Lambdoodle. (Pig is now her "precious.") Lambdoodle was her first toy. The toy that she cuddled with on the long drive home from the breeder. It was the toy the comforted her on those long nights in the crate as I tried to resist the urge to bring her to bed with me and the small puppy whimper was replaced with the Baa Baa of Lambie. Alas, after several months, Lambdoodle was lost in a horrific puppy diarrhea accident. Forever gone, but not forgotten.

So the nickname for Gracie began as Doodle. Then became Doodlebug. Then Doo-bug. And finally Bug.

Do you have nicknames for your pups? I'd love to hear the stories.