Nameless - Contest!

 Our new foster dog is currently nameless.  He probably always has been. He was one of over 100 dogs that was found living behind a barn just outside of Newkirk, OK.  They were left starved, and abandoned.

He, and all the others were found on big chains -- with a barrell for water and a barrell for shelter. It was a tough life.

When you're one of 100 dogs living on a chain in a field, you don't likely get a name. In fact, you don't get much human attention at all.

He is one of the lucky ones that was spared.

He's fearful. He has probably received more human interaction in the past week than he has in his entire lifetime up to this point. He wants to be loved -- and give love back -- but just isn't really sure how to show or receive love. Love isn't an emotion he's knows much about.

We've had to teach him everything about being a 'pet'. He'd never been inside before. Or eaten or drank out of a food bowl. He's never used stairs before. A chain, a field, and a barrell are all he's ever known.

When we first got him, he hid a lot.  He certainly thrived on not being noticed. He found a couple of "comfort zones" and stayed pretty close to those areas.  We're working with him to find new comfort zones -- including even our couch -- so that eventually he'll feel comfortable everywhere.  New things are a little scary for him still -- and everything is just so new.

The backyard is also new. He has a "route" that he runs around the back yard -- over and over. You can pick him up and put him anywhere in the yard and he will go to the nearest point of his 'route' and begin running it. It's good exercise, but I certainly hope he begins utilizing the other parts of our yard soon.

He does perk up around our dogs -- which is a great sign. I think it will be through them that he learns how to be a dog. It's time -- he deserves it.  For now, he's mostly just snuggling in a warm bed, putting a few pounds on his thin body, and working on getting healthy.  The strides he's made in the first few days here have been pretty amazing.  But it will take him a little bit of time.  I'm thrilled for the opportunity - -and for the opportunity to see the little guy's growth.

He's about 10 months old (or so). He's going to be small -- probably only about 45 lbs or so.

So we need some help.  A dog this cute should not remain nameless. We have a working name for him -- but we're still open for suggestions. So, if you have suggestions for a name, please post them in the comments section. We'll choose one of the names as our favorite - -and the winner will receive a copy of the book, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Loving our Dogs.   I will not guarantee that we'll use the name, but I will guarantee a winner.  So let me have your ideas.

And I'll continue to post updates and occassional videos on the little guy. 

For more about the rescue of these dogs, check out posts over at Bad Rap, MABBR Blabber and my previous post. 

Plus, MABBR has a photo gallery of the dogs in Oklahoma that is certainly worth checking out.  MABBR ened up with 11 of the dogs from the Newkirk site.

A special thanks to Bad Rap, MABBR, the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals, the Kay County Sheriff's office and the many local rescuers who raised money for food for these animals during the early stages of the finding of these dogs that made saving his life possible.

Comments

[Donovan]

How 'bout naming the dog "Okie"?

...good on yah for giving this guy a chance, here's to hoping he works through the "fearful" behaviors - always a tough thing see in a dog, especially in a dog from such a brave, secure breed.

[Kristie]

How about Amos? It means "brave" in Hebrew...he certainly is a brave little guy.

[eej5]

Some ideas...

Hershey - 'cause he's the color of chocolate.

Barrell - for obvious reasons

House - because like Dr. Gregory House, he wants to be loved but doesn't know how. :-)

[Anne]

How about Jericho? Or Dante- because he's been through hell

[PittiesPlace]

How about Beacon. He is a beacon of hope for dogs who may be found in similar situations. He is a beacon of hope that there are still kind hearted people willing to look past the stigma. He is a beacon of hope that someday all dogs of every shape and size will be treated in a humane way.

[krislars]

Good names! Will throw some in the hat...going w/ Italian since I'm focusing on truly becoming fluent...and besides the Roman's were conquerors that changed the face of history, so seems fitting for this little man and his 'family'.

First, Leonardo or Leo - meaning 'brave'
Second, Nico - meaning 'victory'
And lastly, Santo - meaning 'saint'

All are appropriate and empowering, but something about Santo seems fitting - being Christmas and all. Plus, he just seems like a little saint...those eyes are so enduring!

Thanks for fostering this little man. He is luckier than he'll ever know.

[TEH]

Baruch.....blessed in Hebrew...which is certainly is!!

[Marc]

he's brown...its Christmas!

Name him Mr. Hankey!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Hankey,_the_Christmas_Poo

Do I win???

[Brent]

Great names -- please keep them coming.

I've already ruled out Mr. Hanky though..LOL. Thanks though Marc.

[linskykitty]

I don't have any names with clever meanings, I kind of favor old man names, like Lester, Charlie, or Stanley...I'm a little square like that.
And yes, he will learn a great deal about being a dog from the other dogs. My Ruby was very timid and scared when we got her, would NOT walk on a leash by herself...but take her out with Percy, my male, who has absolutely zero issues, she was confident. She got her confidence from him, or maybe was just more comfortable having one of her own kind nearby, who was acting as though nothing was wrong. I don't know if we would have been as successful in her rehab if there hadn't been another dog around; at least, it may have gone much slower.

[Ricky]

VERY cute dog... OK I'll add to the list:

Abe- Lincoln came from humble origins, was quiet, and overcame start to achieve greatness.

Carter- my favorite post-president. Also from humble beginnings, Carter avercame alot and gives so much now.

Marcus- Any football fan relishes Marcus Allen Chief's years. He taught us to "never say die" after Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders benched him and he came to Kansas City where he earned his 2003 induction into the Hall of Fame. After refusing to lie for O.J. Simpson at his murder trial, it only confirmed what a class act he is.

Walter- as in Cronkite, born in St. Joe, MO and lived there until he was 10, probably the most accomplished broadcast journalst in history. In his column, he repeatedly condemned President George W. Bush and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In January 2006, Cronkite said that he felt the same way about America's presence in Iraq as he had about their presence in Vietnam in 1968 and that he felt America should recall its troops.

[Ricky]

VERY cute dog... OK I'll add to the list:

Abe- Lincoln came from humble origins, was quiet, and overcame start to achieve greatness.

Carter- my favorite post-president. Also from humble beginnings, Carter avercame alot and gives so much now.

Marcus- Any football fan relishes Marcus Allen Chief's years. He taught us to "never say die" after Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders benched him and he came to Kansas City where he earned his 2003 induction into the Hall of Fame. After refusing to lie for O.J. Simpson at his murder trial, it only confirmed what a class act he is.

Walter- as in Cronkite, born in St. Joe, MO and lived there until he was 10, probably the most accomplished broadcast journalst in history. In his column, he repeatedly condemned President George W. Bush and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In January 2006, Cronkite said that he felt the same way about America's presence in Iraq as he had about their presence in Vietnam in 1968 and that he felt America should recall its troops.

[Ricky]

OOPS, sorry don't know how that repeat happened

[Jessica]

I'm horrible with names so I don't have any suggestions, but I wanted to thank you for what you are doing for this little guy. I have no doubt with enough time he will turn into a wonderful, confident boy! Kudos to you for everything you are doing, keep up the good work!

[Carianne]

1.) Pigpen, my favorite character from The Peanuts gang.

or

2.) Ziggy.

Thanks for letting us all participate. I just met a lady in a pet store today that I told about your web site. You should have some new visitors soon.

[Marc]

darn....lil' poo would have worked...

[julie]

The first thing that popped into my head was "Every dog has his day". How 'bout naming him Paco (I don't like Pacino so much, and Paco sounds nicer)?

[Barb]

I'm so glad at least some of these dogs were given a chance!! As a Texan I'm still appalled and upset that Houston killed all the victims they seized.

But I share the pleasure that you - and all the other foster families - are experiencing every day as these dogs learn about the joys of life. There are few things I love more than watching a foster dog blossom.

Possible names:
-Justice
-Dash

-Percy
-Simon - those last two after a couple of dogs I fostered who started out timid and fearful and became AMAZING dogs.

[doug]

I think you should call him "Denver"...as a tribute for not being born there.

If not I vote for Mr Hankey.

[Kara]

hah. wow. Mr. Hankey. Ididn't know anyone watched south park any more.. ha.

I dont have any names with any real meanings.. but i've always liked

Xander

... i was going to name my HeelerX that, but went with Mickey instead..

MABBR is great-

And anyone who fosters these abused and neglected animals is also wonderful.

[Dan]

The Indian territories which became Oklahoma was given to people who lined up and, at the shot of a gun, took off on horses and wagons to stake a claim across the territory. People who sneaked across before the start were called "Sooners", as is the OU football team.

So, how about "Sooner"?

He is looking for a new place to stake a claim as well, and is probably just as scared as some of those folks were in their new places...

In any event, give him a cookie for us, and thanks for taking on a foster. We have been inviting homeless dogs into our home for years, some to stay forever. They have added so much to our lives.

[Dawn]

Reading your description of the new member of our household reminds me so much of the early days with my dog Calvin. He was chained andor caged his whole life and had no idea what people were for, what the backyard was for and for several months I literally had to push him out the door or coax him with food to get him to go outside. He knew the inside was a good place and he wasn't going to risk being stuck out in the cold again. He did come with the name Calvin which I kept because it fits him to a T, Calvin and Hobbes style. Although, sometimes my husband sounds like Dave from Alvin and the Chipmunks but instead of yelling Alvin, it's CALVIN! It has been such a rewarding experience and I've learned so much from him I wouldn't trade those crazy early days for anything! I look forward to seeing how this new guy progresses!

[EmilyS]

hey, I think "Doug" would be a great name!

[Accidental Sexiness]

Bless you for saving this lovely dog! I have a rescue dog at home that also needs a name. She shows a lot of the patterns you have seen in this little guy.

I will vote for Lucky or I like "hershey" that someone else said.

Good luck with him!

[dogsmycopilot]

I always liked FourFeet, Deeogi, (dog spelled out,) Dawg, and Doggi. However I have always ended up giving the dog in question a human name. Evie, Chloe, are my dogs' names. I like that too, as though they are people. He looks like a Frank. Do be patient, you have taken on a long task here and you have miles to go before you're done. Thank you. One less dog is in pain, danger and loneliness because of you. Thank you.