When the Rotunda family arrived home with their new Golden-Doodle puppy last week, three-year old Jett exclaimed, “Her name is Soupy”.

Jett’s mom, Stephanie Rotunda of Parker Colorado explained that their new puppy had been given a name over a year ago—well before they even discusses getting a dog. He named one of his stuffed dog toys “Soupy”. When the family began to discuss getting a real puppy, Jett already had the name picked out.

“I thought he meant “Snoopy”, but he corrected me,” recalls Rotunda, “we don’t know where it came from”.

Ask any pet owners how they chose their pet’s name, and you’ll likely hear a special story.

‘Reina’ means princess in Spanish. “It had to be her name,” recalls Jennifer Almodovar of Carrollwood, of the day she brought home her puppy. “The way she was sleeping when I first saw her—she looked like a little princess.”

Sometimes it can be name-at-first-sight, but others choose to name our pets in honor of family or tradition.

“We named our dog ‘Poochy’ after my father’s childhood pet,” explained Alison McCarthy of New Port Richey. “We wanted to keep the name in the family”. The husky-terrier mix, adopted from the SPCA Tampa Bay also goes by Mr. Pooch, on more formal occasions.

The name you choose for your pet can say as much about you as it says about your pet. It can show how you view the relationship with your companion. While naming your pet is a very personal decision, be aware that certain names can cause people to judge your pet and react positively or negatively, even fearfully when being introduced. A canine “Muffin” will surely get a warmer response than a dog named “Chaos”. 

Use careful consideration when naming a pet that may be used as working dog or therapy dog, or any other ‘job’ that frequently exposes your pet to the public.

Naming a new companion can be fun! Unlike naming a child, new pet owners have lots of creative leeway. Parents naming a child usually give careful thought to whether a name will have peer acceptance, and how the first and middle names will blend with the last name. You can certainly be more adventurous searching for the perfect pet name.

Need some help?
If you are like the Rotunda’s you already have a name picked out for a pet you’ve yet to acquire. But if you are like most of us, you’re just waiting for that perfect ‘handle’ to emerge and you might appreciate some guidance. There are several books and web sites are dedicated to naming pets. The following helpful tips, “Pet Names with Personality”, were discovered on the Bow Wow Meow web site (http://www.bowwow.com/au).

The first thing to consider when mining for a pet moniker is to remember that the name you choose will be used dozens of times a day to call, praise or perhaps scold. Also be aware that you may even have to shout it out from time to time in your neighborhood for all to hear—so avoid a name that may ultimately embarrass you. (My neighbor’s cat’s name is “Kinky”—enough said).
• Pick a name that the pet can easily recognize. Animals respond better to one or two syllable names.
• For dogs, avoid names that sound like the standard commands of No, Stay, Sit, Come, Down or Fetch. For example ‘Joe’ is probably too close to “No”. It can be difficult for dogs to tell the difference between similar sounding words.
• If choosing a long name keep in mind the shortened version. A long name will inevitably be shortened, but it may ruin the effect that you were originally looking for.
• The pet’s breed heritage can provide some useful inspiration. For example Asian (Siamese and Burmese), German (Shepherds, Dachshunds and Schnauzers), French (Poodle), Scottish (Terriers), or Irish (Wolfhounds and Setters).
• Waiting a few days to study your pet’s behavior can help you pick the right name.
• Pick a name that will grow with the pet. For example “Kitten” may be less appropriate for a full-grown cat.
• Choose a name that’s both easy to call out and one that you are happy calling out. Calling out “Jack” or “Zoe” in the park may be far less embarrassing than calling out than “Death Breath”.

According to the America Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), a 2006 survey of veterinary records revealed the top 30 most popular pet names in the U.S.
1. Max
2. Sam
3. Lady
4. Bear
5. Smokey
6. Shadow
7. Kitty
8. Molly
9. Buddy
10. Brandy
11. Ginger
12. Baby
13. Misty
14. Missy
15. Pepper
16. Jake
17. Bandit
18. Tiger
19. Samantha
20. Lucky
21. Muffin
22. Princess
23. Maggie
24. Charlie
25. Sheba
26. Rocky
27. Patches
28. Tigger
29. Rusty
30. Buster
Pet Naming Resources
Books
1.  The Complete Book of Pet Names: An ASPCA Book by George Greenfield
(Paperback-1997)
2.  Name That Pet! By Naomi Jones (Paperback-2004)
3.  Beyond Fido: The Definitive Guide to Naming your Pet, by Tom Torriglia (Paperback-1991)

Web sites
http://www.bowwow.com.au/: This site offers pet name search engine, tips, top 20 names and you can purchase pet tags.
http://www.newpet.com: In addition to pet naming help, this site offers a variety of resources for new or soon-to-be pet owners.
http://www.petnamesworld.com: Over 11,000 pet name suggestions are each accompanied by its meaning and place of origin.

CRITTER CALENDAR

BOWSER GAMES
Bring the entire family--including your well-behaved four-legged friends for all day fun at the Bowser Games, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 10 at Highlander Park in Dunedin. The free event features contests for pets, kids and adults, flying disc demos, agility shows, K-9 displays, breed and rescue groups, local shelters, vendors and more! Contests include longest tail, shortest ears, best trick and more. Boston Terrier Rescue will offer pet microchipping for $25 with proof of spay or neuter and $35 without. Highlander Park is at the corner of Michigan St. and Pinehurst Rd. behind the Dunedin Art Center. For more information, call (727) 710-7387 or visit http://www.pinellasanimalfoundation.org.

ADOPT A PET THROUGH YOUR VET
Join the kick off of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s new program, Adopt A Pet Through Your Vet, with their Mobile Adoption Unit from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday at Adventure Animal Hospital, 8704 Jackson Springs Rd., Tampa.  This new program will assist in placing adoptable animals into responsible homes and raise awareness about the importance of routine and preventative veterinary care.  For more information call (813) 876-7138 or visit http://www.humanesocietytampabay.org.

ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS AT THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR-Feb.8-19
Planning a trip to the Florida State Fair? Below, Pet Cetera has sniffed out the “must sees” for animal lovers. The Fair opens Thursday and runs until Feb. 19, at the state fairgrounds 4800 Highway 301 N., in Tampa.  Fair hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Admission is $10 adults, $5 for children ages 5-11, kids under age five are free. For more information call the Fair office at (813) 621-7821.

DOGGIES OF THE WILD WEST
Daily at 11 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m., Cowboy Gary Noel entertains young and old alike with his pooches from the prairie on the Washington Mutual Children’s Stage. The show features comedy canines performing exciting stunts and takes you on an adventure back to the days of frontier times. All the dogs in the show have been rescued from animal shelters and now entertain audiences across the country with Noel.

MILKING PARLOR, & MOOTERNITY WARD
If you’ve always wanted to try milking a cow, here’s your chance. Visit the Salute to Agriculture Tent for the experience and take home an “I milked a cow” ribbon just for participating. Milk this opportunity at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
Also, visit the Mooternity Ward where many cows are ready to deliver--there’s a good chance you will witness the miracle of birth. The mothers-to-be will be comfortably housed in the Salute to Agriculture tent, on a raised platform so it’s easier for you to see this incredible sight. A sow and her piglets can also be found huddled closely inside the building. Farmers and ranchers explain the growth and development of their animals.

PUREBRED DOG EXHIBITION
See a wide variety of purebred dogs and visit with the owners to learn about the breeds. The 4-H youth dog show happens each Fair day at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the Purebred Dog Tent just east of the Agricultural Showcase Building.

LIVESTOCK BARNS
A variety of more than 5,000 animals are on display – from beef and dairy cattle, to sheep and goats, hogs, rabbits and poultry. Fair visitors have the chance to learn about different breeds, their husbandry and general care daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

THE EQUINE ENCOUNTER
Held each Fair day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, guests will have a chance to learn the basics of grooming and horse care from the experts.

GREYHOUND ADOPTIONS
Greyhound Rescue & Adoptions of Tampa Bay (GREAT) will be at the Florida State Fair from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting Thursday through the 19th. Visit retired racing greyhounds and meet adoptive and foster parents. For more information, call (813) 971-4732 or visit http://www.great-greyhound.org.