dog names

Picking the Perfect Name for Our Animal Friends.

Posted by Barbara Techel

sepiaI’m always fascinated by how people name their dogs. I especially love hearing what people name their dachshunds. If I see or meet a dachshund, the first thing I have to know is their name. Maybe it is because doxie’s are such little characters that their name just seems to immediately add to their personality, and most times, fits them quite perfectly.

I’ve named all my dogs. Even when I adopted Joie who was formerly Mylee, Joie just felt like the right name for her.

But Gidget is different. She already had her name and I really loved it. Not only did I fall head over heels in love with her from the moment I saw her, but her name just seemed to fit her. I didn’t want to change it.

Many of you may recall the TV show, Gidget, starring Sally Field. I looked up the words to the theme song and thought it would be fun to share with you. I think you will agree. Gidget is absolutely a Gidget!

“If you’re in doubt about angels being real, I can rearrange to change any doubts you feel.

Wait’ll you see my Gidget!

You’ll want her for your Valentine. You’re gonna say she’s all that you adore but stay away Gidget is spoken for.

You’re gonna find that Gidget is mine!”

How did you decide on a name for your dog?  I’d love to hear in the comment section below!

The Silly Names We Call Our Pets

Posted by Barbara Techel

Frankie loves to hang out in her “Take-A-Long Bag” from Dachshund Delights- especially after a bath.  I like to call her my Pocket Pooch.

In my recent ebook (which I updated to include more short stories), “For the Love of Animals: A Collection of Short Stories” I share an article I wrote about the silly names we call  pets. I enjoyed getting responses back from those I sent out a request to, to share their silly pet names. It is quite funny, I think, how we name a pet one thing and then end up calling them so many other names. I have to believe it is just a way of trying to show our deep affection for them. Or perhaps when they are naughty they get a new name. That has been known to happen a time or two!

I had known L-O-N-G before I got Frankie that I would name her Frankie. I named her after the song from the 1900’s called, “Frankie and Johnnie.” I happen to affectionately call, my husband, John, Johnnie, and I like to think I have my own love story at home with my version of Frankie and Johnnie. My Johnnie did not want Frankie when I first brought her home almost thirteen years ago— upset with me for not asking for his blessing– but oh, how Frankie wormed her way right into his heart and how he loves her so.

I find it great fun when I meet another person who has a Dachshund to ask the name of their dog. I’m sure it is because of my passionate love of the breed, but every name I hear always cracks me up. Dachshunds can just seem like little people, so their names always seem appropriate.

Some of the nicknames we call Frankie are:

Ween Spean, Frankster, Ms. Frankie, Sweet Pea, Baby Dog, Schuts Butts, Peanut, Mrs. Beasley, Cuddle Bug, Love Dove, Little One, Granny Babushka, Granny, The Granster, Schniedly, Schmitty, Good Ol’ Frank Techel, and Schmitty Techel.

Did you know that in modern German, the Dachshunds are more commonly known by the name Dackel or, among hunters, Teckel? During many  school visits I did with Frankie over the years I had such fun sharing with the students that Frankie is a Teckel,and I am a Techel- and how we make a great Techel/Teckel team. They always roared with laughter! And then I’d say, “I think I was meant to have a wiener dog, don’t you?” They’d all shout, “Yes!”

So what are the nicknames you call your pets?  Submit them in the comment section below as I’d love a good chuckle!

If you are interested in my ebook, For the Love of Animals you can find it on Amazon for Kindle or to receive it free just sign up for my bimonthly newsletter on my website.