I have been given the rather daunting task of coming up with a name for this column, and I have stressed over it a considerable amount. After all, whatever I call this creation will be stuck with it for the length of time I continue to write it. I understand why it is that it takes people a long time to come up with a name for their pet. I have had some difficulty in this area as well. I find in that case that a nickname is quickly adopted. But that doesn’t work for something as eternal as print.
I’ve tried a few techniques to assist with the process. I’ve talked to my closest friends and discussed it with my co-workers. I have done some word association (dog-frog and cat-hat didn’t get me very far – maybe I can only think in rhyme; I’ll have to look into that some time).
I attempted something I’ve learned is called the “blue-sky method” where you stare into the abyss and write down whatever comes into your head. Presumably this works better if you’re actually looking at a blue sky, because I was staring at a wall and I came up with zilch.
I attempted the folly of randomly opening the dictionary (yes, there are still printed versions) and seeing what might fire my imagination. Oddly, I didn’t find any inspiration from gribble, kilt, or marimba.
As a last-ditch effort, I did what I probably should have done in the first place: I asked my mother.
The following is a list of names she came up with – interspersed with a few of my own. I really do need some help in this area, so if you see something you like (or really dislike) please feel free to email me at allpwz@yahoo.com and tell me all about it. Also, if you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them. Thanks in advance!
(Just plain old) All Paws
Pawsitively Tails
Heartbeat @ My Feet
Ponderings of a Pet Sitter
Four on the Floor
The Pet Scene
Wags & Whiskers
Letting the Cat Out
All Paws Down
Fin, Feather & Fur
Animal Crackers
The Family Pet
Lessons for a Pet Sitter
Paws For Thought
Remember to Feed the Dog
Pet Stories Unleashed
I Got Worms
(Sarah Caton owns All Paws Pet Sitting, which serves all of Lincoln County.)
