What’s In A Name?
When my children bought my dog for me in 2002, that year’s letter for pets’ names was the letter T. I went to the vet’s when the puppy was born and picked up a leaflet of suggestions. I settled for Taïga because I wanted a short name, one with Russian connections, and suitable for a white dog.
I found that a few English-sounding names were suggested, and they made me wonder: who on Earth would want to call their dog Tablespoon or Takeout, is beyond my understanding. Only people with absolutely no knowledge of English would use those names, that’s probably why they are suggested. I wonder what kind of funky French names some poor pets have been given in non-French speaking countries?
The name Taïga itself does raise a few eyebrows, so I explain… (but I’ve given up explaining that ‘No, she’s not a poodle, she’s a Bichon Frisé,’ a very different breed).
The first time Taïga set a paw on English soil, the Customs Officer took one amused look at her and said: “Hello Curly, how’s life?” So now Taïga has an English name too. When we are in England and people ask her name, she’s “Curly,” it’s easy and self-explanatory. Sometimes you have to be practical.
She’s got another name too. As I was standing in a queue at the local garden center on December 23 one year, a young guy joked to his girlfriend: ‘Regarde, un chien de Noël (Look, a Christmas dog)!’ I turned round and thanked him for being a poet.
For all intents and purposes, I don’t mind people calling her other names, because she knows only one, the one I gave her. She’s my dog and to her, all that matters is that I’m the leader of the pack!
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April 19th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Off-topic:
Dogs are more intelligent and friendly than I thought. My wife’s brother brought a dog to his parents’ home 8 years ago. I only washed her twice using my mother-in-law’s shampoo when she was so small and now, although I rarely (once a year proably) go to their house, she greets me with special self-invented tricks when we do meet.
I also keep a distance so she can’t touch me, but that only makes the Pekinese do more tricks. 
Jianjuns last blog post..Being A Translator - How Much Does It Cost?
April 20th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Nadine
The penny has dropped.
That is beautifully written parable.
James Legend
April 26th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
@Jianjun Not everyone likes dogs, but they are intelligent in their ways. Pekinese are very astute, I hear. By the way, shouldn’t they be called Beijinites, now?
@James Legend Be good
April 29th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Nadine
Just in case you are wondering…..
JL was my stage name when I used to DJ years ago. (over 20 years ago)