Dear Judy,
Last year my father died — he was a great favorite of my kids, who are four-year-old twins. They spent most of every Sunday at his house, which was about a mile from ours. I think we all miss him terribly, but maybe my kids most of all because until he suffered a stroke, he was like a grown playmate to them. Lots of trips to the zoo and the park.
Last week, we gave the kids a dog (a large mutt, actually) who has in parts reddish fur. My father, who had red hair before he aged, was known as Rusty. Guess what the children want to name the dog?
Actually, I’m okay with the idea. I don’t think my dad would have minded either!! He had, as I mentioned, a great sense of fun, and this would have tickled him. But my husband thinks it’s gross and disrespectful.
What do you think?
Amy
Dear Amy,
Given your father’s sense of humor, I don’t think it’s either gross or disrespectful to extend his nickname to a beloved family pet.
But why start a fuss with your husband? Name the dog Red!
Thank you for writing
The kids were 3 when your dad died, they hardly remember him and don’t asociate some ridiculous nickname with him. Banning a cute name for a family pet will be incomprehensible to them. Let them call the dog whatever they want!!
Men are men, women are women, dogs are dogs. This is what happens when people forget this and mix up all the names.
Loved your insight!! For once someone got everything correct!! Would you mind if I put a blogroll link back to your post?
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
You bring up a great point! I don’t feel it is a problem because if you are ok with naming your dog after your dad and you feel your dad would be ok with it then I think it is fine.