CONTEST: So how did YOU name YOUR dog?

6/30/2014

Holly Jolly at Stone Mountain Park 2012

For those of you who are genuine lifelong dog lovers, as I am, you know that we always have an absolute blast—and often a barrel full of laughs—naming our canine companions. Some names are funny, some are tough, some are cute, some are outrageous, some are absurd, and for those of us who are dedicated dog lovers, most are clever.

So what and how did you name your dog? Holly Jolly and I would love to hear your responses and your stories. Please share them in the comments section by clicking on "Add Comment" below this blog post!

THE CONTEST: Whoever comes up with the coolest name that I like the most will not only win a FREE signed 6X9 paperback copy of my paranormal fantasy novel SOULSNATCHER, but I will also use your dog’s name in my next novel for my fictional canine hero (or heroine), and mention your name in my next novel's Acknowledgments page.

Holly Jolly Claus & SuperSanta

I always enjoy sharing the story of how I named my current furry friend Holly Jolly, my seven-year-old Golden Retriever. I picked her up at the Atlanta airport’s cargo area on December 21, 2006, and named her that night. How? I went to sleep thinking on it, and woke up at 3 a.m. the next morning with the famous Burl Ives song Holly Jolly Christmas playing in my head. Eureka! I thought. Of course that’s her name. It was Christmas time, and she was the Christmas puppy. She could and would be none other than Holly Jolly. And the name fits her temperament and demeanor so well. Holly is now a professional therapy dog. You can read more about her and her therapy dog programs in my blog post Holly Jolly named official Atlanta Writers Club mascot! by clicking here.

In my lifetime, my real dogs have been named RUSTY (a Labrador/ Irish Setter mix with a rust-colored coat), DUCHESS (a female black Labrador Retriever), SADIE MILADY (an American Eskimo, aka Spitz), and now HOLLY JOLLY.

In my fiction, I always write about dogs as main or subsidiary characters, and have always had a great time naming them. In no particular order, they are:

DANTE, a male German Shepherd (from my novel SOULSNATCHER, published April 2014 by Lazy Day Publishing)
CHIEF, a male German Shepherd (from my novel FREQUENCIES)
THE MIGHTY QUINN and CHAMP, two male Golden Retrievers (from my novel MARIONETTES)
SARGE, a male German Shepherd mix (from my short story IN THE NIGHT SHE COMES, First Place Winner of the Atlanta Writers Club Fall 2013 short story contest)
DOC, a male yellow Labrador Retriever, and KADIE, a female Golden Retriever (from my novel DREAMWEAVERS)
DARBY, a male Golden Retriever (from my short story MESSIAH IN A FUR COAT)
KADIE (yes, another Kadie), a female Golden Retriever; DUKE, a yellow Labrador Retriever; and COOTER, a mutt (from my short story OLD COOT, published to critical acclaim November 2013 online at Page & Spine)
SPOOK, a black Labrador Retriever, and KERCHAK and KALA, two German Shepherd littermates (from my post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel JAGANNATH, coming February 2015 from Permuted Press)
T-REX, a male German Shepherd; BEAUTY, a female Golden Retriever; and CISCO and PANCHO, male yellow Labrador Retrievers and littermates (from my novel A MIGHTY ROLLING THUNDER)
RINGO, a black “afterlife” Labrador Retriever, and YOGI and BOO-BOO, an Irish Setter and a yellow Labrador Retriever (from my novel BEYOND THE VALE)

Holly at Fort Fisher Beach, NC 2011

In my lifetime, some of the dogs I have known are BOGEY, FRITZ, SAMURAI, REBEL, CHLOE, MOXIE, JOSIE, FERGUS, BUFFY, BRADY, BOZO, DINGO, GONZO, STARR, SARGE, KYLIE, DOZER, DITTO, DOT, DASH, ARI, and RILEY, among many others. Feel free to click on the link to my short story OLD COOT here or above, a story about a remarkable therapy dog, and read it and share your comments there as well. And please feel free to check out my paranormal fantasy novel SOULSNATCHER, and purchase an e-book or paperback copy if you wish. It's getting rave reviews, along with a rave testimonial/ Editorial Review from New York Times bestselling author James Rollins.

So how did YOU name YOUR dog? Post your story in the “comments” section below, and share your fun tales about our furry friends with wagging tails with everyone who visits and reads this blog. Your dog’s name and story could become famous and spread all over the world, and one lucky winner will have their dog’s name included in my next novel!

I'm excited about hearing you share your stories, so don't be shy! You know your dog wouldn't be, right? :)

May you and all your special furry friends live your lives with tails wagging and wind-in-fur.

Holly Jolly sez “Woof!”

Kerry Alan Denney, multiple award-winning author of SOULSNATCHER (Lazy Day Publishing, April 2014) and JAGANNATH, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller coming from Permuted Press February 2015

Holly & her human at Stone Mountain Park October 2010

34 Comments

Paul Russell

6/30/2014 05:48:33 pm

My dog named himself "Rap". When I was wondering what I should call him we had several conversations. He would tilt his head and look at me as if he understood every word. I remember asking him what his name should be and as clearly and precisely as any human would have said - he responded, "Rap Rap Rap! My name is Rap!

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/1/2014 12:07:24 am

Hey, Paul... funny how we can "hear" our dogs speak sometimes, yes? They have a plateau of communication all their own, and speak to our hearts instead of our minds. Thanks so much for sharing your story, and keep that boy happy! (btw, just curious, and as a reminder for all the forthcoming posters, what breed is he?)

Paul Russell

7/1/2014 03:25:53 am

My dog Rap is a geriatric, black standard poodle. He weighs in at 72 pounds of love. I am really enjoying this blog topic! Stories of the origin of a dog's name are fascinating! I like Lynda's story below. Both the name "Moxie" and the story are WONDERFUL!!

Lynda Fitzgerald link

7/1/2014 05:45:59 am

My sister has a big black standard Poodle named Rocco. Another story. I knew she was adopting a rescue Poodle, but that's all I knew. At the time, I was writing the third novel in my mystery series, LIVE in Person. One of the characters gets pregnant and names her unborn baby Rocco. That caused quite a chuckle when sister Dianne called and told me she had named her rescue Rocco. A thousand miles won't stop great minds from getting together.

As a postscript to that (yes, I'm big on postscripts), when the pregnant character's best friend asks what they'll name he baby if it's a girl. she sputters, "Rockette?" Don't know where that one came from.

Lynda Fitzgerald link

6/30/2014 10:54:37 pm

Well, my first question would be, "Which one?" No, I'm not a dog hoarder, but you wouldn't know it if you came to my house. Right now I have five. Not all mine. My two are the ones I'll focus on.

My GSD, Chloe, got her name from my then five-year-old grandson, John. No story--just a five year old's imagination. My GSD-hound mix is a better story.

I was taking my young (three-month-old) German Shepherd to dog daycare several days a week because I worked full-time and the exuberant puppy needed more exercise than I could provide, plus I wanted her socialized about dogs and humans. She loves (yes, still) Funnybones so much she'd pull me in the front door, anxious to get inside to play with her many friends. Little did I know there was one friend in particular. But I get ahead of myself.

One Friday afternoon, the owner, Kenya, asked if I'd be interested in taking home one of the dogs they were fostering who had been abandoned there months ago. Her name was Cashmere (yuk), and she was an eight-month-old GSD-Hound mix. I said sure because Chloe got bored on weekends--and you don't want a bored young German Shepherd in the house. She brought out this big hulking dog and Chloe on their leashes. They were chewing each other's faces and playing as we took them out the door.

Once in the car, the orphan dog nuzzled my neck. I looked into her beautiful brown eyes and was lost. Before I was out of the parking lot, I decided she was mine and changed her name to Moxie. Why? Because I'd been told what this girl had been through and she was still tough and yet loving.

This story has a postscript. When I took the dogs back to day play on Monday, I asked how much was owed on Moxie's back boarding. They told me, "Nothing." They said I'd never have to pay a dime for her day play, boarding, baths, or anything else. Then they said, "We didn't want to influence your decision, but Moxie is Chloe's best friend." They said the dogs were inseparable, and they still are today.

So that's my Moxie story. That was over four years ago, and I can tell you emphatically, she's the best dog I've ever owned. On my car, I have a bumper magnet that reads, "Who Rescued Who?" Believe me, I can answer that question.

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/1/2014 12:38:54 am

Wonderful story, Lynda! Almost like a supernatural hand is guiding their (and our) fates sometimes, yes? Our dogs touch our hearts in ways that are almost too precious for words. I'm thankful for the "writer souls" who are willing and eager to share their doggie tales. And btw, "Moxie" is a WAY cool name for a dog! I may want to use that one in a future story... Thanks for sharing your story!

For those of you who love excellent mystery/crime novels, check out Ms. Fitzgerald's fine works at www.fitzgeraldwrites.com or look up her name on Amazon.

Kristine Ward link

7/1/2014 05:04:14 am

Aww, Linda, what a beautiful story. I use Funny Bones, too. You just reminded me how long it's been since I took Ginger there.

Kristine Ward link

7/1/2014 04:57:18 am

We got my dog Ginger 7 years ago. She is my first dog, ever! Growing up, we always had cats (I know, I know. But, only NOW do I know lol). To hear the whole story of why I grew up terrified of dogs, you will have to wait for my memoir to come out someday, someday, maybe, hopefully.
Anyway, I digress.....When my kids were young, they begged for a dog. I always replied with, "Not a chance. Besides, you have fish." I know, heartless, right?
They gave up on me ever changing my mind. Two years after the last time the kids brought up getting a dog, I start having visions of familial bliss in our backyard - me, my husband, two kids, and an unknown, fuzzy canine creature. It happened again, TWICE in the next three days, these day dreams out of nowhere assaulted me while I was doing laundry, unloading the dishwasher, in the shower - crazy, right? Well, it gets crazier ( in my spiritual-growth memoir, this chapter of my life gets an ENTIRE CHAPTER). By the end of the third day, I've told no one about these visions because they barely scratched the surface of my consciousness.
Then, my husband called me on his long commute home from work and said, "I have something to tell you, but you're not gonna like it." I wait to hear about a possible transfer, job loss, the "something" I'm not gonna like. I held my breath. "I don't know how to tell you this," my husband began, "but I keep getting the impression that we should get the kids a dog for Christmas!"
I said in response, "Oh no! It's God!" You see, I'm a prayerful person who believes in a personal God who actually cares about whether or not I should have a dog. And I always promised God that if He made clear to me what His will was for my life, that I would obey. I use this story in my memoir to illustrate the indescribably blessings that came from that obedience.
I thought it was because God wanted my kids to know a dog's beautiful and unconditional love, and they, of course, love Ginger. But God wanted me to have a dog to show me the truly important things in life - joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness - all things I see in Ginger's brown-sugar eyes.
You see, I had my priorities in all the wrong places.
If my book ever gets published, I have no doubt that my chapter on Ginger, our soft-coated Wheaten terrier, will be a favorite chapter. Oh, by the way, I wanted to be the one to name the dog. I named her Ginger because I think it's a cute girl name for a dog and because she is the color of ginger root. I found out later from an older sister that before I was born our family owned a dog named Pepper, and an older sister had a beloved dog named Nutmeg. So with a Ginger, all the family dog names are spices! Totally unplanned, but kind of cool.

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/1/2014 05:22:21 am

Beautiful story, Kristine! I believe that God or whatever we consider to be the creative force of the universe speaks to us through our dogs. They have many important and priceless lessons about life, joy, and compassion that they are very eager to share with us. If only the whole world could understand that, what a wonderful world it would be.

Ginger is a cool name for a female dog, and I never once thought you named her after the fictional actress on Gilligan's Island, lol. Is she a rescue dog? From where did you get her?

My best wishes to you for success in getting your memoir published. Publication is a long, hard, and bumpy road, but the rewards can be so gratifying. Thank you for sharing your story!

Barbara Barth link

7/1/2014 07:14:01 am

I have six dogs from my local shelters - they all came with the names they have. I'd hoped they had started to recognize the names either from the foster homes or, perhaps the name had been theirs with the previous owner before they were sent away, for whatever reason. That said, April has a story about her name, She was the sixth dog to come in to my home in a nine month period. She was very quiet. Sat across the room watching me on the computer. A large hunting dog with a dark face, brooding eyes, and a liver spotted body. Her eyes would follow me as I moved, but she stayed put. Finally one evening she walked over and bumped my elbow as I was typing on the computer and wiped out what I was doing. I looked at her earnest eyes, held her face and asked, "Who are you April?" I decided she needed to feel special so I named her "Miss April in Paris." Then I went about taking a photo of her in a vintage hat with a huge pink rose on it. She looked very French in her cloche and I started her blog where a dog dreams of going to the City of Lights. I still call her Miss April In Paris and it fits her well.

Lynda Fitzgerald link

7/1/2014 07:26:39 am

What a wonderful story, Barbara. Six is a whole lot of furry love.

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/2/2014 02:35:42 am

Hi, Barbara! That's a wonderful doggie tale/ furry bud love story. I LOVE the name "Miss April in Paris"! Such a cool and elegant name for a canine companion. And you are a genuine HEROINE of mine - along with fellow author and great friend Lynda Fitzgerald - for rescuing our furry friends and providing them with a great Forever Home. Bravo and kudos to you both!

Thanks also for sharing this blog post on your Writer With Dogs blog at www.writerwithdogs.blogspot.com. You're awesome!

Judging by your Writer With Dogs author website (www.barbarabarthwriter.com - I encourage everyone to go there and peruse and visit and leave Barbara a comment), you have many happy doggie tales to share with the world.

What a wonderful feeling to share so much unconditional love, yes? :)

Cindy Lommel

7/3/2014 04:19:06 am

OK, you asked fir it. I rescued my Yorkie from craigslist in Oct. 2013. I have always had German Shepherds that are well trained and well behaved. To say that adding a Yorkie to the mix was an experience is putting mildly. He tends to be rather vocal and as a young male he has an opinion about everything. (Kind of reminds me of my son when he was an adolescent.) When I got him they said his name was Rusty. Well, "Rusty" didn't answer that "Rusty" in fact he totally ignored me when I called him. I found myself saying thinks like "You are such a little Stinker." Well, calling him Stinker stared to become a habit. However, when he was out in the backyard barking at the neighbor's I was a little uncomfortable calling "Stinker" so all my neighbors could hear. Over the course of a couple weeks it got abbreviated to "Tinker" but that sounded too much like "Tinkerbell" and being make I thought that might cause some psychological trauma to he little ego so the only thing I could do at that point was to abbreviate it even more and now Rusty have become Tink and he on occasion even response to it. I guess he knows he is really a little sTINKer.

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/3/2014 05:13:06 am

Ha! That is a hilarious story! No telling what the neighbors might have thought of you OR Tink if they heard you calling him "Stinker." What could a dog with a name like that be getting up to, lol? Too funny. Thanks for sharing, Cindy!

Lynda Fitzgerald link

7/9/2014 10:01:25 pm

I LOVE that story! Yes, Westies and Carin Terriers are related, and they most definitely have big mouths and minds of their own. I say this as the former owner of three of the little buggers (whom I adored, by the way). Now I'm back to my big GSD types. What a difference!

Sheri Taylor-Emery link

7/3/2014 05:40:03 am

We went to Ellenwood to get a daschund puppy. The breeder let them all run out into the yard and my husband reached for the one that looked the calmest. On the way home the poor dear threw up from nerves. The kids were trying to decide what to name this beautiful black and brown long-haired beauty, when I suggested she looked like chocolate and caramel, and someone (I forget who) yelled, "Let's name her Snickers."

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/3/2014 09:27:27 am

Hi, Sheri! "Snickers" is a cool name for a dog -- I haven't heard that one before. Clever & creative! Thank you for sharing your story. :)

Rosemary Montgomery

7/3/2014 10:11:44 am

This is a dog naming story from someone who had always believed she was a cat person – it’s also a one-dog naming story that involves two dogs. Here is the story of DeMaris’ name.

About ten years ago my husband – a German Shepherd dog man from his head to his toenails (or is that claws?) was asked to take over the care of an abused German Shepherd. Freya was two years old and had not only been abused but, because of the way she had finally reacted, was under a death sentence as a ‘fear biter’ if he didn’t agree to take her. We both later felt that the request to him must have been an absolute ‘last ditch’ strategy for subsequently we found out that she had been abused by a man. On arrival (she was delivered) she was terrified by my husband and fled up to our back fence – as far away from him as she could get. Mrs Cat-person (moi) felt so sorry for this new dog she went outside and sat about a metre away, to try and calm her down as we had discovered the dog didn’t flee from women. I was up there for eight hours. I told her fairy tales and sang every song I knew – including some of my grandfather’s 1920’s Hit Parade songs - just to get her used to the sense of who I was, what I sounded like. My husband left water for us both (and cups of tea for me) but neither dog nor human had anything to eat all that long day.

It was dark before Freya felt she could come inside with me – and by then a wonderful friendship had been born. She lived with us for seven and a half years, saved me from an attack, learned first to trust and then love my husband as well as me, gave me freedom to go for long walks in the mountains where we live. But then she got sick. We brought her home from the vet’s and she died in our back living room. That last night, I sat up with her, told her fairy stories and sang to her – even when I felt she was already in a realm where she could no longer hear me. Freki was everything! I never wanted another dog in the house now she was gone. But my husband (a German Shepherd dog man to his toenails etc) ordered another (as yet unborn) female pup from his favourite breeder and asked me to name her.

Suddenly I realised this pup would come from that brave, intelligent, trustworthy breed my Freya had come from. Now I wanted her to have everything Freya had missed from the time she had been eight weeks old and sold into jeopardy. I wanted her to have a safe, calm home, no hurt and no frights - because, in a certain way, I felt I already knew her. There is a scene in the famous story of King Arthur and his Knights. Sir Lancelot, King Arthur’s premier knight, has a French half brother, years younger than him, and someone he has never met. This young man comes to England seeking him. But, unknowingly, he is too late. He reaches Lancelot’s castle and finds it deserted, for all the knights are with their ladies in the chapel – it is Lancelot’s funeral service; tall Lancelot with his black hair and dark-bright eyes is dead. The young man, tall, with black hair and dark bright eyes, creeps towards the sound of prayer and singing, halting nervously on the chapel threshold. The knights turn to see who the intruder might be, and suddenly there is such a silence, for as Malory says, ‘Sir Ector DeMaris knew no man there, but all men knew him.’ DeMaris! Yes, that would be her name, for even before she was born I knew her - and she has proven a worthy successor to the best dog I have ever known.

I think this is too long and complicated to win, but thanks Kerry for giving me a chance to celebrate two fine dogs. And of course, if I do win, the dog’s name I want in your next novel is not DeMaris – it’s Freya!

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/4/2014 12:49:36 am

Hi, Rosemary! OMG, that is such a simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming story! And there is no such thing as too long and complicated to win -- especially from such a talented writer as yourself -- because you certainly just won my and Holly Jolly's hearts with this beautiful doggie tale.What a wonderful thing you and your husband both did for Freya, and an incomparable gift.

I can't help but notice that, although I'm guessing you pronounce it "Fray-a" with a long "a" sound, it reads like "Free-ya", which, of course, is what you did for her. Bless you for that, good lady! There is no greater gift than our love and a forever home that we can give our wonderful canine companions, and that is exactly what you did for her. I have no doubt that she returned that love a hundredfold. What a blessing, yes? Holly Jolly and I are Snoopy dancing over this wonderful story! I think I might have gotten something stuck in my eye while I was reading it... ;)

Freya and DeMaris are both excellent names for dogs, and unique and new to me... and you and Freya are DEFINITELY in the running as winners.

Have you seen my previous blog post from 6/23/14 entitled "Holly Jolly named official Atlanta Writers Club mascot"? I think you will find it heartwarming as well -- I'm so proud of my furry baby, and love her so much.

I also invite you to read my short story "Old Coot", about a remarkable and amazing therapy dog. Knowing you are a genuine dog lover, I'm confident you will love it... and maybe even get something stuck in YOUR eye while you read it. It was published to critical acclaim in November 2013 on Page & Spine. Here is the link:
http://pagespineficshowcase.com/119/post/2013/11/old-coot-kerry-denney.html

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful doggie tale! I will announce the winner (or maybe TWO winners) in early August.

I have no doubt that Freya is waiting patiently for you at Rainbow Bridge. May you and DeMaris always run and play in those beautiful mountains with tails wagging and wind-in-fur! :)

Lynda Fitzgerald link

7/9/2014 10:09:42 pm

Okay, the above story should come with a **Warning!** label. Do not read at work unless you're the only person in the office because you WILL cry. Have Kleenex near.

What an incredible story. Thank you for sharing it. You and your husband are remarkable people.

Paul Russell

7/29/2014 06:25:20 am

I agree, Lynda! I'm sitting here wiping away the tears and grateful that I'm not at work or in public. I was deeply moved when I read about having a name even before birth! What an awesome wonderful heartening story!

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/4/2014 12:54:42 am

For all my dog-loving friends who have lost a special furry friend:

I said to St. Peter outside the Pearly Gate
I won't be a nuisance; I won't even bark
I'll just sit here and patiently wait

I'll be here chewing on a celestial bone
No matter how long you may be
I'd miss you so much if I went in alone
It just wouldn't be heaven to me.

Cbaneta Juliet Copeland

7/9/2014 09:51:09 am

Hi my great friend Paul invited me in such a.wonderful contest. I couldn't pass up anything he suggested was cool because he is all too the same. We my dog the wonderful creature he is. I got him at six weeks and before him I didnt even realize I could love something so much other than man. Well I lost a.baby boy due to a late miscarriage and before he went to heaven.I laid in the hospital right before Christmas scared to.death of his fate, and I decided to take my mind off of stressing and turned on the hospital television, well all of a sudden Merry Christmas Charlie Brown came on and the baby moved about as if he was hearing friends from the tv. I was excited I said to him so you like Charlie Brown ehhh! Well need less to say he went to heaven and my therapist which was badly needed after this ordeal suggested I get a pet. She said they love you unconditionally the way children did before they got groan. I pondered me with a dog..... ? Hmph !? I said well its better than the suicidal thoughts and drinking that was taking place from my sorrow so I got him and his name is.Maximus Charlie Brown Devareaux. Not a super hero name but glad to share this. He seems to always be by my side whenever I cry and miss my beloved son, its as if my son comes with him to comfort me. Thank you

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/9/2014 11:19:47 am

Hi, Juliet. I am so sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful and heartwarming dog story, and thank you for sharing it. I believe that God blessed us with our furry four-legged friends. Perhaps he and your son have spoken to you, and have given you a gift which reminds us of God's infinite love through our most innocent and devoted furry friends. May you always find hope and comfort in this small but bountiful gift, and may your future bring you the children you clearly deserve. I know that you will shower them with the love that has been so unconditionally shared with you through Maximus.

I hereby declare that Maximus Charlie Brown Devareaux is truly a super hero doggie's name, and will keep it close to my heart... a true contender and a winner in any contest.

Bless you and thank you for sharing your beautiful story. Dogs and dog lovers everywhere are cheering you on, Juliet!

Paul Russell

7/29/2014 06:29:25 am

I was lucky enough to meet Chaneta and I have come to know Maxxi by many stories of comfort and support. We will soon all know Chaneta as a singer, but her story of love for her son and her dog Maximus Charlie Brown Devareaux are universal!

Cori Pickwick

7/9/2014 11:16:52 pm

Our dog is named Rowah! Ro for short and yes she answers to both! My husband and I got her 2 years ago and we took awhile picking out her name! I really like unique names as I grew up with one! I like people asking you more than once what your name is, they remember you that way! We went through names on baby name websites until we agreed on one! Rowa (which we added an h to) was the winner! Her name is unique as she is! She was the runt and has had some health problems. She is smaller than most border collies and her hair never grew out like most collies! She is beautiful, perfect, and unique!

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/10/2014 02:28:42 am

Hi, Cori. Hoo-ahh for Rowah! It certainly sounds like a unique dog name to me. I like it. I hope she gives you all the unconditional love you need. Sounds like you give her plenty of love yourself, and bless you for that! Thank you for sharing your dog story with us, Cori.

sherrie storm

7/10/2014 10:18:22 am

Kerry, my beloved dog was named Maggie, 17 years at this house, guarding a family in her home. a Chow/Lab mix, Maggie was named in 1995 by my sons for the little girl on the Simpsons! anyway, I just got robbed by someone who broke in to my house last week...Maggie had died and couldn't be here anymore to protect me and I think she would have eaten them alive had she been here!!

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/11/2014 12:57:22 am

Hi, Sherrie! So glad to hear from you. Seventeen years of a great dog's love is a wonderful and incomparable gift. I have no doubt she lives on in your heart, as my Sadie Milady (16 years) does in mine. They are waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge, and quite possibly playing with other familiar furry friends!

Sorry to hear about your robbery - thieves are despicable sub-humans. I hope no losses were irrecoverable, although no material things are as irreplaceable as canine companions and family members. Karma will get those worthless perpetrators in the end.

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and I hope you find a new furry friend to brighten your life soon. I think Maggie would want you to!

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

Jeremy Rist

7/29/2014 01:13:38 am

I have a 2 year old GSD/Lab mix named Tara. At first thought many people don't make the connection with her first name and my last name. As a wounded combat veteran coming home and settling down I wanted to get a dog that would help with my transition back to a normal life. After a few years I was able to make this happen for my family and I. After hours of trying to think of a name for our new bundle of fur I had that "aha" moment and said to the wife... "her name needs to be Tara, Tara Rist". Since that moment she has lived up to her name. She manages to destroy entire rooms in seconds, dig huge holes in our yard, and eat our kids shoes like dog treats! Although she is a terror she is still a member of our family and we look forward to having her around for many many years.

Kerry Alan Denney link

7/29/2014 03:29:51 am

Hey, Jeremy. Thank you for sharing your remarkable dog-naming story. Your last name is Rist, and you named your dog Tara. Tara Rist. What an extraordinarily clever name for a dog! Who else could she be? You and your family must have had a barrel full of laughs over that one for days.

Folks, I can't close the contest down until midnight July 31, but I do believe we have a winner here. Only two days left to enter! I will select the official winner and announce them in a blog post on August 3rd or the 4th at the latest.

Jeremy, thanks again for sharing your awesome story, and especially, thank you, sir, for your service and sacrifice in our Armed Forces. I hope that life, your family, your friends, and Tara all treat you well and with the honor that you deserve.

Paul Russell

7/29/2014 06:17:08 am

Hah!! Awesome Jeremy!! Just as all of our mothers called us by our full names when were in trouble, it tickles me to think about how you might call Tara! "Tara Rist" (terrorist) you come home right now!! Excellent! Perfect name for a mischievous dog!

Lynda Fitzgerald link

7/29/2014 01:27:36 am

Jeremy, that's a great name for a dog. I have one of those terrors, too, but it's not too bad in a dog family of five. Welcome home! I hope life gives you joy and peace.

Kerry Alan Denney link

8/3/2014 11:06:59 am

Hey, all! I have just announced the First Place Winner, along with the finalists and runners-up, in a blog post

http://www.kerrydenney.com/blog/contest-and-we-have-a-winner

Thanks again to everyone who entered and participated, and please feel free to share your comments and congratulations to the winners in my new "Winner" blog post.

May you all live your lives with tails wagging and wind-in-fur!

CONTEST: So how did YOU name YOUR dog?

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CONTEST: So how did YOU name YOUR dog?

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