I wanted a distraction this week from, effectively, you realize, so I began fascinated by the nicknames we give to our canines, and why we use them. All of us develop up with nicknames for ourselves,our mates, and household, which might be supportive and enjoyable (Star, Champ), or demeaning (4 Eyes, Fatso). I discovered this text by Marlene Ritchie to be an attention-grabbing abstract of all of the ways in which nicknames can mirror intimacy, belonging (or not), affection, and bullying. As such, they’ll have a giant impact on a toddler so labeled by their friends–both for good or for dangerous.
What then, in regards to the nicknames that we give our canines? I believed it’d be enjoyable to play the nickname recreation, and take into consideration the names we give to our canines.
Listed below are our nicknames for our two Border Collies:
MAGGIE: Maggie/Maggie, Maggie Mae, Magdeline, Miss Maggie, Miss Magdeline, Princess Maggie, and The Divine Miss M.
Can’t miss the development, are you able to? First, that we love Maggie, second, that we spoil her, and third, that she seems to contemplate it her due. Maggie is oh so very delicate, a la The Princess and the Pea, (thus “Princess Maggie”). She additionally appears to imagine that countless stomach rubs are half and parcel of being royalty. (Thus, but once more, “Princess Maggie.)
I’m not holding her up right here, she will get on this place herself. I’m simply rubbing her stomach.
SKIP: Skip/Skip, Skipperkee, Skipperdoodle, Skipperdeedoodah, Mr. Skip, and, when he first performed like a jerk with Maggie, D___Head.
These nicknames, particularly the second, third, and fourth, completely mirror Skip’s exuberant, joyful, and typically goofy nature. His very identify truly is a nickname–he got here as Ace however we renamed him Skip as a result of I just like the identify Skip higher for a canine, and, await it . . . he truly skips. I’ve by no means seen a canine do the equal of skipping and/or clicking his heels, however Skip does it when he’s overwhelmed with happiness, often when he’s about to go do one thing enjoyable. He’s additionally a captivating fool, being the canine who has created, single-handedly, the phrase “suicide by fence”.
That final nickname, with my apologies, comes from his behavior early on of slamming into Maggie full bore, face radiating with pleasure and enthusiasm, then ready for Maggie to maneuver ahead once more. He all the time seemed so confused at why she didn’t need to preserve enjoying. I’m joyful to say Prince Maggie is as sensible as she his playful, so ultimately she taught him to play extra politely.
Good luck to me getting a photograph of Skip skipping. That is the closest I might come, of Skip leaping towards the barn once I mentioned okay.
Since I couldn’t get a superb picture of Skip doing this factor, I believed I’d simply add on this considered one of him trying good-looking. I ought to in all probability add “Prince” to his set of nicknames.
Okay, your Flip! I’d adore it if you happen to instructed us not your canine’s or canines’ nicknames, however why they’ve them. What does it say about them? About your relationship? By the best way, it’s enjoyable to maintain of report of those. Right here’s a put up on nicknames that I did 2.5 years in the past, earlier than we received Skip, and after we nonetheless had Tootsie. Made me all gooey.
MEANWHILE, again on the farm: Easter Sunday gifted us with a gorgeous sunny day, though a tad nippy within the morning. (About 10 levels F beneath freezing.) However there may be some coloration exterior, although it’s important to look carefully. Largely it’s brown and gray aside from greening grass, however a few of my small bulbs are blooming.
This picture of Scilla required mendacity down on the bottom and utilizing my shut up lens:
Listed below are just a few of the crocus that the rabbits didn’t eat:
There’s not a lot springier round right here than new lambs! Right here’s from BYB Stockdogs exterior of Portage the place we frequently go to observe on larger fields (mine is tiny, tiny in comparison with even a small trial area). These three lambs had been sunning in a smooth, cozy mattress of straw, and are just about the definition of cute.
We have now an Easter custom with mates David and Julie of dying and trying to find eggs (boys in opposition to women). We had a good time, as common, I extremely advocate letting your self be a child once more when you possibly can. Listed below are our eggs:
And right here is the perfect hiding place ever: (If I do say so myself.) I didn’t get a photograph of your complete room (darn), however this egg was “hidden” in full view on the lounge rug. It was in the course of the room, in full and utter plain sight. However who appears there for a hidden egg? The boys searched and searched, virtually stepping on it over and over. They couldn’t discover it till we gave them a clue. Which was onerous, as a result of we had been laughing so onerous we might barely speak. 
So, it’s to you! Nicknames, and why. [And . . . how do you channel being a kid again?]
[One last thing I feel compelled to say: I do indeed need distractions from the events of the world, but spend some of my time and resources doing what I can to try to help. We all have to navigate what’s happening around us the best we can; I’ve just found that I have to do something every day/week to help others, but also to help myself; otherwise you’d find me licking my paws in a corner somewhere.]