Thanks to kind encouragement here, I adopted a dog today!

[Mike03]

Thanks to those of you who encouraged me to keep moving forward and find a new animal companion. I've only had my new friend for five hours, but there's not a doubt in my mind this was the right thing to do. My mood lifted almost miraculously, and this sweet black labrador, about two years old, is an absolute joy. Of the three dogs I have owned over the past decade, this is the most well-adjusted, well-cared for, well-behaved and affectionate dog.

One problem remains, which is persuade my cat not to give him hell. But we'll solve that somehow.

I do have one question which, perhaps, is quite trivial.

This dog's name is "Cassanova." I think it is ludicrous, and I was hoping that it was some short term name the shelter volunteers gave him just to have something to call him until he could be renamed.

But no. The story is that this dog has always been called "Cassanova."

Conundrum Part II: He does not appear to particularly respond to being called "Cassanova." So I'm wondering if although he is officially "Cassanova," his owners, like me, felt it was a foolish name and called him by nick name which I have yet to discover.

Should I put my contempt for this name aside and learn to love it, or do you also believe it is a ludicrous and pretentious name for a dog that ought to be changed? My father suggested I call him "Cassie", but that won't due for a male dog. I thought of "Nova", but that sounds a bit like a name you would give a fight dog or something.

Right now, I'm inclined to keep it, but I blush every damned time I have had to tell someone what my new dog is called, and I always explain that I did not name him.

I'm also now happy, in retrospect, that I did not throw out all of my previous dogs's possessions in a fit of avoidance and depression. It's really nice to see the toys enjoyed and reused by my new friend, and she doesn't seem to mind that they are not new. It's sort of like my old dog is still here, by seeing her things provide so much joy to a new needy dog.

Anyway, it's been a great day--my first good day in at least a month. I feel happy for the first time in such a very long time.

Thanks again for the kinds words, advice and so forth last night.

You ROCK.

[XemaSab]

1. You could change it to Nova.

We got a shelter dog last year and she's the sweetest dog ever. She responds to Pippi, which was her shelter name, most of the time, but if you REALLY want her attention you call her Ginger, which was her name before. :P

[Arugula Latte]

2. How about "Casey"?

That sounds like a good name for a nice, friendly lab, and it's fairly close to "Cassanova."

[Mike03]

5. Wow, I really like Casey.

Hmmmmm. That is a really good suggestion. Maybe I'll test that one out.

[DeepBlueC]

11. Casey is a winner!

No one should give a dog a name with four syllables ... he could be in hell and gone before you got "Heeere loong too loooong name" out of your mouth.

[AZBlue]

16. Casey is good!

If you decide he's not a Casey, dogs are smart and they learn quickly - he'll respond to whatever you call him just because it's you calling him.

Congrats on your new buddy!

[Mike03]

20. Casey it is

I appreciated everyone's input and compassion and kindness, but I'm sure that my dog is a "Casey."

It fits him perfectly.

He responds to this name better than he responded to "Cassanova." I actually after having worked with dogs for a few years, have some serious doubts any of his previous owners ever called him "Cassanova." What a dumbass name.

"Casey" is a fantastic name. Thank you....

And most especially, thanks to everyone here for just being nice the other night when I felt so lost and got such comfort and inspiration here at DU.

I love this place, and I love you all.

Mike

[Arugula Latte]

24. Oh my gosh, I'm so honored!!

Woohoo! I named a dog! :woohoo:

Thank you! :hug:

Good luck with your new guy! :toast:

[DS1]

3. Cass

hmmm, people might think you're saying ass while coughing, hold that thought

[Mike03]

6. LOL

Well, I did think of Cass or Cassie, but there was no response from the dog, and I think it sounds like a female dog name more than a male name. Perhaps this dog has been called by so many names over his short life that he doesn't really care what he is called.

I know Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer", says that dogs don't think of themselves in terms of having singular identities. They see the world in terms of scents, sounds, forms, and that they do identify words and comprehend meanings, but that it is not clear that they care what they are called, so long as they understand they are being addressed.

[VLC]

4. Call him anything you want!

Dogs are smart. He'll learn his new name fast enough. For all you know, he hates Casanova too.

And good job adopting. i can't believe people are still breeding with all the animals being killed in shelters these days. There's just no reason for it.

[Inchworm]

7. No.. YOU ROCK!

And you pretty much made my day! I'm a basket case today. :tinfoilhat:

As a "shelter volunteer," I love it when these matches are made. I love the fact you took the leap. I remember people suggesting this and I'm not really even sure I responded in your thread. If not, I did lurk.

Ok, I love critters.. To say he's "yours" etc. people always worry about. Yes, he is yours. Your responsibility. If you want to call him Fucknut to get him to come when you call him to eat, so be it. Think of all the "Scooters, Lizzies and Skippys" out there. You think whoever got them to turn their head to that give it a second thought?

Love ya dude.. I'm going back to the movies with two dogs, Cripple and Trina :P

You sound good man!

:hug:

Cripple and Trina

[lost-in-nj]

8. keep calling it NOVA

make sure that is the dominant part of the name...

thank you for taking care of
an adoptee .....

or you could try


Cass


:hi:
Labs are awesome

lost

[Critters2]

9. Yay Mike!!!

:yourock:

I'm so glad to read this! It was really rather courageous of you to take this step! And I'm especially glad to it feels right to you.

As to the name....feel free to change it. The beagle was originally "Jessie", which is a fine name. But somehow it just didn't fit her. She's now Gracie. Of course, the sounds are similar enough, so not a big adjustment. But there's no reason to keep a name that doesn't feel right. Really. Change it if you feel so moved.

Someone upthread suggested "Casey", which I like, too.

Whatever you decide, I'm so happy for you and, err, Casanova!!

[Scout]

10. how wonderful for you!

aren't dogs just the best thing that happened to mankind? we have two dogs, one that i raised from a pup and a 6 year old we adopted from the shelter in February.

We changed the adoptee's name from Nevada to Ned. We did not want him to have any association from the shelter.

I think you can name your new fur kid pretty much anything you want as long as he will respond to it. I kind of like Nova, i don't think it sounds bad at all. One thing you can do, once you've chosen the name, is to get some small treats that don't crumble when chewed, and sit near the dog and then say their name followed by "look" and as you say look bring a treat up toward your nose. When the dog responds to the look command by looking at your face, then give them the treat! Teaches their name and for them to pay attention to you if you say "look."

Congratulations, and keep us posted!

here are my fur kids, Scout and Ned





(sorry about the image size!)

[driver8]

12. That is great...I am so happy for you!

I am also happy for your new pal (whatever you decide to call him) as he is getting a warm, loving home!

Two years ago I had to put my Border Collie, Cody, to sleep. It was one of the toughest things that I ever had to do. A few weeks after, I told my wife "this house is too quiet...we need to adopt another dog." A week later, Buddy came to live with us. Buddy uses Cody's food and water dishes. At first I thought it was disrespectful, but I got over that.

Congratulations, again -- you rock!!

[Jamastiene]

13. Animals seem to love names that end in an "e" sound

or an "o" sound. Nova might work too. There is something about pronouncing it with an uplifted tone or pitch at the end of the name. Two syllable names are the best, because you can make their name sound musical and they seem to learn it and respond to it better for some reason.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. A lab--perfect!

They're the sweetest dogs around.

[Generic Brad]

15. I'm very happy for you both

Be happy. :)

[Catshrink]

17. Congratulations!

Thanks for sharing your story. It is so sweet!

I've changed cat and dog names when I thought they were goofy or didn't fit. My dachshund was named Rowdy after Rowdy Yates but I changed it to Bratwurst and call him Brattie. Or Stinker.

Whatever you name your pup, he'll love it because he has a happy home. Give him kisses and belly rubs from me.

[From The Ashes]

18. I'm glad you adopted a dog,

I was concerned about you last night and I thought about suggesting getting another dog, but I wasn't sure if it was too soon after the loss of your last one.

I like the name Casey, by the way.

[Haole Girl]

19. Name the dog whatever you want....

The trick is to pet him while you softly say his name... he'll catch on.

Congratulations! I'm glad to hear you have a new friend-- labs are great! :D

[Beaverhausen]

21. Where are the pictures?

You must post pics soon! Congrats on the adoption. I'm sure the kitty will grow to love him. No one can resist labs! :hi:

[Connonym]

22. Congratulations to you and your new pup

I'm happy that you found one another. :toast: here's to many happy years together

[YellowRubberDuckie]

23. Soon, you won't remember a time without him....

And if you do, you'll look back and wonder what took so damn long for you to get him. We had to leave my little Dachshund, Prudence, at the vet for a couple of nights and it was terrible. We missed her so much. It was so boring around her without her.
So, when are you going to post a pic of Casey?
Duckie