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HelpNaming dogs and honoring people + cultural sensitivity
Just wondering on some points of view about naming dogs...
I am probably not in the position to adopt a dog yet but I have volunteered with the local SPCA to exercise the dogs there and I'm in love with the idea of getting one some day.
My other two animals (cats) are named after movie characters (Forrest and Jenny) so I thought I would continue using human names if I did adopt a dog. I think the use of human names could help bring a sense of empathy when one first encounters an animal, as well.
There is a lovely black female retriever/collie mix that recently came in. She's so beautiful and elegant looking. Sometimes people shy away from adopting black dogs specifically out of some kind of fear or the fact that you can't see their facial expressions as well so they don't seem as friendly and engaging or "appealing," I guess.
Anyway, her name right now is Angel but I started thinking of names I would give her.
What are people's thoughts about giving her a name that emphasizes the "black is beautiful" concept-- such as after a jazz or blues singer like Billie (Holiday), Ella, Dinah?
Another idea I had was Zadie after author Zadie Smith, or Lupita... Lupita actually has an interesting dimension with both Lupita Nyong'o who has made public comments about dark skin and standards of beauty, and also I think the name comes from Guadalupe which has the Spanish word for wolf in there somehow (this database says it means river of the wolf in Arabic?).
Anyway, what are your thoughts about naming pets after people, especially when there is a cultural connotation attached? Is it likely to be seen as offensive to some people? That's not my intention but I wouldn't want to make an issue of it.
I wish I could attach a picture of the dog to get some of your suggestions but I don't know how to do that!
Thanks!
.......................................
Feedback welcome on my current top names: http://www.behindthename.com/polls/236866
:)
I am probably not in the position to adopt a dog yet but I have volunteered with the local SPCA to exercise the dogs there and I'm in love with the idea of getting one some day.
My other two animals (cats) are named after movie characters (Forrest and Jenny) so I thought I would continue using human names if I did adopt a dog. I think the use of human names could help bring a sense of empathy when one first encounters an animal, as well.
There is a lovely black female retriever/collie mix that recently came in. She's so beautiful and elegant looking. Sometimes people shy away from adopting black dogs specifically out of some kind of fear or the fact that you can't see their facial expressions as well so they don't seem as friendly and engaging or "appealing," I guess.
Anyway, her name right now is Angel but I started thinking of names I would give her.
What are people's thoughts about giving her a name that emphasizes the "black is beautiful" concept-- such as after a jazz or blues singer like Billie (Holiday), Ella, Dinah?
Another idea I had was Zadie after author Zadie Smith, or Lupita... Lupita actually has an interesting dimension with both Lupita Nyong'o who has made public comments about dark skin and standards of beauty, and also I think the name comes from Guadalupe which has the Spanish word for wolf in there somehow (this database says it means river of the wolf in Arabic?).
Anyway, what are your thoughts about naming pets after people, especially when there is a cultural connotation attached? Is it likely to be seen as offensive to some people? That's not my intention but I wouldn't want to make an issue of it.
I wish I could attach a picture of the dog to get some of your suggestions but I don't know how to do that!
Thanks!
.......................................
Feedback welcome on my current top names: http://www.behindthename.com/polls/236866
:)
This message was edited 1/25/2015, 10:03 AM
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