The Name Game

No, I'm not pregnant. Far from it. But there will be a new addition to the family. Of the four legged variety. Yes, I'm getting a puppy. In April. Why such a ways away? Um...it's still baking? Hehe. We're calling it "Spud-the Next Generation." Spud is the Pekingese/Maltese hybrid (Peke-a-Tese) that I discovered from our local classified ads. Unfortunately, he was an only child and already promised to another family, but his siblings are due to arrive in March. Which means I'll be running after a puppy sometime in April. Until then, there is a notepad on my coffee table at the ready in case a wonderful name pops into my head.

I have a friend who has a pup named Georgia and another friend who promised that when he got a dog, her name would be Florida. In keeping with tradition, I said that my dog would be named Alaska. Great, if it's a girl. The fact that Spud was an only child has me scrambling to come up with a male puppy dog name. Sorry, but there are no state names that lend itself to a male name--Montana and Dakota are out, not an option. And as much as one of my friends has tried to convince me that Alaska is gender neutral, my extremely scientific polling of random people has determined otherwise.

So I am on to captial cities, largest cities, state trees, state fish, presidents, mythological figures, Catholic Popes and Saints, famous authors, iconic movie stars, favorite childhood television and cartoon characters. Can you understand that I want my pup's name to be unique? Sorry, Fido.

Considered, but Eliminated:
Lincoln, Eros, Bogart, Lysander, Gehry, Oscar, Gyro, Egbert, Cagney, Winston, Mokey

Still in the running:
Abbott, Hartford, Aesop, Hawthorne, Damascus, Sprocket, Plucky, Gobo

Leading the pack:
Gonzo, Bip, Bismark, Sitka, Pike, Tesla, Hero, Astaire

I've got a while yet to mull about on this, but as it is I'm about to go nuts. Help! Oh, and it's a shame I don't want kids...sorry William Rhett and Mallory Grace.