Say my name, say my name

The nicknames

Is it just me or do any of you dogs out there have to put up with their humans calling them anything but their actual name?

My full name is Neo Austin Bam Bam Wizard. Neo is taken from the name of a kitesurfing kite and is NOT contrary to popular belief after Keanu Reeves character in the Matrix. Austin was my grandad, Bam Bam was my mum and Wizard is my official kennel club name and before you ask, yes I am a pedigree!

As you can see, the humans obviously put some consideration into naming me, so why do they not use it?! What they do actually call me changes from day to day, minute to minute. I am so confused by it all that I now don’t respond to any of the silly names or my actual name. At the last count there were twelve different things being hollered at me and these are just the ones I can remember, Chicken, Chicken Chops, Chicken Dog, Poppet, Sweety Pops, Puppy (I’m four and a half!), Bubs, Doglet, Mr Bum Bum, Mr Fluffy Bottom….and the list goes on.

I don’t think this is a unique situation that I find myself in and I just wanted to reach out to all the other dogs out there to say, I feel your pain bros. I don’t think they do it with any intended malice, but that doesn’t make it any less irritating.

The misheard names

Now, this is something that does make me chuckle. Even though my owners seldom use my actual name, they do when asked, “what is your dog’s name” respond with, “Neo”. However, what most people hear is one of the following names, Leo, Nero, Theo or Neil. Either both of my humans have issues with pronunciation or most people who take an interest in me are deaf. Neil - I mean, come on…who calls their dog Neil! I definitely don’t look like a Neil. I think I look more like a Bob than a Neil.

It does seem to be increasingly popular to name us hounds with human names, I live next door to Ronnie, Barry is just up the road, oh and that little sh*t Rodney that lives round the corner.

I think to conclude, if you find yourself being addressed by multiple different names, many of which might be said in a strange, high pitched voice, do not make eye contact with the human who is trying to get your attention. Turn your back, ignore them, wait for them to calm down and only when they use your actual name should you consider responding.

Peace out furry friends