"Jonathan?" Angus asks.

"Ooh! I like Jonathan!" I squeal. "Matthew?"

"Matthew's good. Arthur?"

"Arthur's ok." I clutch his hand. I am so happy I could die. It seems unreal. I am happier than I have been in...well, ok a week ago in New Zealand, but before that it was a while since I had been so utterly content and thrilled. I am walking on Cloud 10 having bypassed Cloud 9 and taken the upgrade.

We walk into a bookshop, a piece of paper recording our favorite boys' names. "I like Gordon," Angus says thoughtfully. "Gordon is a nice name. As is Giles."

"Oh I love Giles," I reply. We are both looking at average, commonplace English names for a boy. None of this nouveau stuff for us, we like strong, solid traditional names. We take the escalator up to the baby section of a throbbing Oxford Street Waterstone's. We plop down in the pregnancy section and reach for books, our foreheads crumpled in thought. Angus looks amazingly happy, and I catch a sight of my face in a glass display-I am positively glowing. People come and go from the pregnancy section and watch us.

We make a list of the boys' names we like, giggling and exclaiming forgetting the quiet attitude that one is supposed to take when one is in a shrine devoted to the loving of books. Once we feel our eyes start to swim with too many names, we out the books away. As we stand I see a book on infertility and I reach for it, flipping it open to the IVF section. Angus smiles at me.

"If anyone sees you reading that book they're going to get really confused," Angus says, laughing.

I smile back, not at all weird about it, and smile back.

We leave the bookstore, a piece of paper in my pocket with a list of about 20 names. As we ride the train home we try to pare it down and come up with three names that we love terribly, and agree to think on it.

The reason we need the names?

We got a dog.

We got a dog!

On Friday Maggie and Mumin got loaded into their kennel full of malevolent spite. They love the kennel almost as much as they love riding in a car. From the second the door of the kennel swung shut the howling commenced, and it didn't stop until we reached the vets' office.

"Hi, I'm Maggie and Mumin's mom and we're here for their annual vaccinations?" I say to the vet tech as Angus carries the huge kennel, still marked with the airline tags that brought them to me a year and a half ago. The girls are due for their injections, and as such we are at the vets.

When we go into the exam room it's clear the personalities of my girls-Mumin is friendly and out of the cage like a rocket. She loves the vet! She loves the stethascope! She loves the table and the injections, she loves everyone! Maggie has to be dragged from the back of the kennel, where she lays completely flat and glaring at all of us, wishing us death.

As I give them our new address, the two injected cats in the kennel at our feet, I mention that we are looking for a dog and did they know of any in the area? The vet tech thinks and then writes down a name for us of another vet tech in a sister branch that runs the local rescue society. We take her number.

Saturday I ring her and ask if they have any rescue dogs, as we're going dog hunting that day with plans to go to the RSPCA in Battersea. She confirms that she just got in a 4 month old collie puppy who was raised with cats. She is desperate to find a home for the puppy, would we like to see?

We agree to stop by and say hello on our way to Battersea. We get in the car and drive to the vets', which is in our new neighborhood. Once there, she takes us to the kennels in the back. There in a kennel is a black and white border collie puppy. She is cute and sweet but our eyes are immediately drawn to another dog with her, a dog whose coloring is a mess and whose tail is wagging nervously, alternating between wagging and tucked under his legs.

The vet indicates the little black and white puppy as the one we're here to see, but we keep watching the other fellow. "What's the story with this one?" Angus asks, as the messy colored one licks his chin.

"He's reserved," she replies kindly.

We spend time with them both-they are incredibly thin and very shy. It turns out they belonged to a breeder who had gotten rid of all the other puppies but couldn't be bothered to deal with these two, so they were locked behind a couch in the lounge. They weren't pet, held, talked to, or loved (people make me so fucking angry sometimes). The RSPCA intervened and removed the two from the home due to the neglect and abuse they'd faced. They were with the nice vet tech at the local rescue society as the two responded so well to affection and kindness (and were so desperate for love and attention) that there was a chance with them.

There was a chance.

The mother of the two was a border collie cross and the father was a blue merle collie. We sat on the floor with them to give them as much opportunity to come near or run away, however they were most comfortable. The messy colored one protected the black and white one, an extremely shy and timid creature, and from time to time the messy colored one would crawl into my lap and sit there, revelling in being pet. The vet explains she can't keep them as she has two dogs of her own, but both dogs are sweet and gentle and get on fine with her two cats. This is, of course, a priority for us. Our two girls are so important to us that we have to ensure a new family member gets on well with them-I'm sure they're going to be furious at the introduction of another four-legged friend but furious we can accept; in danger we cannot.

The vet tech smiled at me. "I can call the family the messy colored one is reserved for. They have two other dogs, it's possible that they will agree to let this one go to a single dog home."

Angus and I exchange glances. "Would you?" I ask hopefully.

We exchange numbers and as we're driving to the train station to go to Battersea my phone rings.

The other family agreed to give up the messy colored chap.

The vet tech said she would be thrilled if we wanted him.

I shriek and scream and become totally uncontrolled. I accept and laugh and shriek and agree to come by Tuesday to pay her (the only costs she asked if we could cover were his vaccinations, which we think is absolutely and totally fair and we have no problem with that.)

We get him next Friday, the same day as we take over ownership of the house (Angus is pushing to give us a week before we get him but I really, really want him here and I want to introduce him to the girls as soon as possible).

We haven't decided what to call him yet, but the leading contenders are Nigel, Colin, and Gordon, and a shot in the dark name that we heard on the TV on Sunday and laughed out loud we thought it was so fitting: Gorbachev (because of his strangely spotted nose).

Your vote on the name is greatly appreciated.

Here's his little sister.

Here is our lovely perfect boy, the grey and white spotted one with the funny nose. He will never, ever have to spend his life locked behind a couch desperate for affection again.

God I'm happy. Like Hallmark Channel happy. Now that's happy.

-H.

PS-unless they are showing Touched By an Angel. I'm not that happy.
PPS-of course, I've never seen Touched By an Angel, maybe it's an ok show it's just the saccharine content of that show scares me.
PPPS-but I still won't watch it as one of those main characters looks like an alien from that 80's series V, and that's simply too much for me to take.

Posted by: Everydaystranger at 08:45 PM | Comments (47) | Add Comment
Post contains 1447 words, total size 8 kb.

1 Yay! Yay, you got a dog, and yay, I (think I'm) first to comment! Also yay for dogs, and happiness, and home. (He's a handsome chap, alright. I vote Gordon, aka Gorbie, but if you don't really call him Gorbie, I think Nigel's very fitting out of the three choices.)

Posted by: liv at March 19, 2006 09:23 PM (mpA3U)

2 How sweet, he's absolutely beautiful! I'm very bad with naming pets, as I have Gouda, Colby, Tili, and Layne.. but I'm sure you'll find a good one.

Posted by: Erin at March 19, 2006 09:45 PM (QqbWe)

3 Oh he is sooooooooooo cute and so very lovable!!! And I am so happy that he is going to get to have such a wonderful and loving family!! I too like Gordon and Nigel. Yay! Puppy love!! And don't be surprised if his noze eventually turns all black -- our border collie/blue heeler mix had a completely pink nose when we adopted her and it was all black by the time she was two. (We chose her because she was the ugliest puppy at the Humane Society and were afraid no-one else would.) Happy Puppy Parenting!

Posted by: Richmond at March 19, 2006 10:10 PM (e8QFP)

4 Gorbachev (why do we call him Gorbachov here?). He looks cool. Very cool.

Posted by: miguel at March 19, 2006 10:18 PM (fQHRg)

5 Usually, I comment only on the less serious subjects, like your job, but this is really really important. The dog has been put down his entire life. The names you mentioned are very elegant and reflect the names of a proper English dog. It may be fitting to boast his ego with something more macho and reflecting your American background. How about King or Rex.

Posted by: IowaSlovak at March 19, 2006 10:23 PM (Nd2VP)

6 Congratulations Helen! I'm so glad you found your perfect boy. I love Nigel as a name. I have three pups: JoJo, Gabe and Roxanne (aka "Rocky"). You are going to love being a dog mom and Nigel's so lucky to have you as his mommy!

Posted by: Kat at March 19, 2006 10:30 PM (LpVNp)

7 What a wonderful story! I also love Nigel of the three you mentioned, seems quite dignified and British, but you'll probably end up calling him endless nicknames anyway. He's just precious.

Posted by: Donna at March 20, 2006 12:17 AM (Aanzg)

8 Is it weird that I'm going to say Gordon? I mean, you know I have an affection for that name, so I hope it's not weird that I'm recommending it for your dog. I also was a big fan of Giles, I'm sorry that got cut. I can't get behind Nigel, because to me that name instantly brings to mind that song... "We're always making plans... for Nigel..." and I hate that song. Yay! I'm so excited for you! I know you've been aching for a dog for your new yard!

Posted by: amy t. at March 20, 2006 01:07 AM (yEv6i)

9 I think Gorbachev is hilarious and you could totally come up with some nicknames from it. but if you want to go with a traditional Brit name, I'd go with Colin. he just doesn't look like a Nigel or Gordon to me.

Posted by: girl at March 20, 2006 01:40 AM (HQuHV)

10 Yay! He's wonderful! Congratulations and happy puppy parenting.

Posted by: Lisa at March 20, 2006 02:17 AM (ELUjU)

11 Definitely Gorbachev....Gorb for short...he's so lovely!

Posted by: Juls at March 20, 2006 02:20 AM (9aRbg)

12 Absolutely adorable - he looks related to your cats!

Posted by: pipind at March 20, 2006 04:15 AM (GjIhj)

13 I'm with Amy - I loved Giles!

Posted by: Flikka at March 20, 2006 05:04 AM (puvdD)

14 Iowa-But he is an English dog. Just because I am American doesn't mean that he should be treated as such. My two girls are Swedish cats and have names that reflect popular Swedish characters. Neither Angus nor I are interested in butch names, or in names that are purely American, as the doggy? He's going to be carrying an English passport (yes really, they have pet passports over here. The cats' are Swedish). The names we've chosen are from the heart and things we think the dog reflects, not to mention the fact that we think most animals should have real names. Nigel means dark one. Colin means youth and victor. Gordon means from a cornered hill. (Gorbachev is just a quirky name we thought suited him. And as the real Gorbachev ushered out the cold war and communism....) So no names like Rex or King. Definitely not.

Posted by: Helen at March 20, 2006 06:35 AM (3jJFn)

15 Gorbachev - definitely....let him join the ranks of distinguished names!! My cats are Chairman Mao and Chiang Kai-shek.

Posted by: Madame Chiang at March 20, 2006 08:07 AM (68x1I)

16 I am definitely pro-Giles. Other than that, Gordon. (A friend of mine wanted a basset hound called Gordon, which totally fits.) Nigel? Really? Here it's a put-down name: "don't be such a Nigel," meaning sad git, moaner. Odd that it's not the same in England. But I love the idea of naming him with a human name, especially a prosaic one.

Posted by: jac at March 20, 2006 08:11 AM (a/0tn)

17 Gotta go with Gorby. That nose is fabulous! He also looks like he's going to have way too much character to be fit by a "regular" name. Paul

Posted by: Light & Dark at March 20, 2006 08:26 AM (M9GWX)

18 i am so excited for you! I would go with Gordon, Gile of Gorbachev abs x

Posted by: abs at March 20, 2006 09:37 AM (7/LHf)

19 Hi Helen, he is absolutely gorgeous! Out of your names I would go with Nigel, I have an Irish cousin called Nigel and he is supercool! Gordon reminds me of Gordon Bennett, or Gordon Brown. If he were mine though, he'd be a Gary, or Ronnie.

Posted by: Gill at March 20, 2006 10:09 AM (TsRom)

20 .. I like Gordon... it was Byron's middle name, I think...

Posted by: Eric at March 20, 2006 12:45 PM (r5XsL)

21 Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! So very happy for you! So great that he's a rescue dog! I'm gonna vote for Gorby or Gordon. Yippeee!

Posted by: SaraJane at March 20, 2006 01:08 PM (t5Xsa)

22 Oh my god! He is so cute. Your story about his beginnings about made me cry. I hate the way some people treat animals. I'm so glad he's going to a loving home with you and Angus.

Posted by: donna at March 20, 2006 01:40 PM (aeKL8)

23 I like Gorbachev myself. Fits him. You can call him gorbie. But if not that, then Gordon. A G name for this lad, I think.

Posted by: Teri at March 20, 2006 01:50 PM (K7jOL)

24 He's lovely! Congratulations!

Posted by: RP at March 20, 2006 02:11 PM (LlPKh)

25 I am sooo glad that you are sooo happy. I vote for Gorby too! All our dogs were named Riley and those who know me thought it was because "Life of Riley" when really it was a bar we passed on the way home. Smart idea to get the dog first - my son insisted on naming ALL our dogs Riley - it gets very confusing. Ill be thinking of you with the IVF.

Posted by: That Girl at March 20, 2006 03:00 PM (QzfsY)

26 He's absolutey Beautiful! Nigel probably gets my vote of the names mentionned so far. I might also suggest Rory or George. Love those two names...can't use 'em because one can't be said in French (we live in a bilingual household) and the other is my Dad's name (can't name a dog..or a kid for that matter, after the Father...ego would either be hurt or inflate to monster proportions) Have a good week!

Posted by: wn at March 20, 2006 03:01 PM (CKMZi)

27 That sweetheart definitely looks like a Gordan. Would that be confusing for Mumin, having similar sounding names? Of course, maybe I'm saying Mumin completely wrong in my head, lol.

Posted by: Lindsay at March 20, 2006 03:04 PM (mHNC3)

28 I liked Rory and George too, but Angus once had a boss from hell named Rory (thus the name goes) and George (while I love it) is a common dog name here. I've had a cat named Riley so there goes that name (the names, there can be only one!) And Mumin is short for a Finnish Swedish character called Mumintrollet. Mumin is pronounced "Moo-min". Or "Moo-mee" when I'm desperate for attention, "Trawl-it" when I'm going for the edgy part of her name, or "Whore" when she moves from my lap to Angus'.

Posted by: Helen at March 20, 2006 03:22 PM (3jJFn)

29 I would call him Gorbachev and then Gorby for short. That name fits him like chocolate and peanut butter!!

Posted by: Judy Carrino at March 20, 2006 03:34 PM (2+7OT)

30 Nigel. He looks like a Nigel to me. Congrats!

Posted by: Teresa at March 20, 2006 03:57 PM (zf0DB)

31 I don't care what you call him--but I definitely would have called him mine if I had seen him first. What soulful eyes he has. I bet he still have puppy breath? He's gonna be a good dog for you. I can tell these things. Congratulations!

Posted by: Marie at March 20, 2006 04:05 PM (PQxWr)

32 He is darling and sweet. He looks to me like a Nigel or a Gordon. Definitely not a Giles. If you name him Gordon you can call him G-dog Congratulations!

Posted by: caltechgirl at March 20, 2006 06:57 PM (jOkK0)

33 BTW, Hallmark doesn't do much TBAA anymore. Little House on the Prairie, though. And '70s detective shows at night....

Posted by: caltechgirl at March 20, 2006 07:00 PM (jOkK0)

34 I'm so jealous and he is so cute. I love the messy grey and black with the white legs. Anyway, I think he looks like a Nigel to me.

Posted by: Theresa at March 20, 2006 07:13 PM (zKRz4)

35 I had a cat named Gorby. He was a sweetie. However, I vote for Mortimer.

Posted by: Ms. Pants at March 20, 2006 07:59 PM (19wVo)

36 I LOVE him (and his sister too... those ears are too CUTE!!!!)! And I love his nose, and his colouring, and his eyes and floppy ears... I don't care what you name him, as long as I can dognap... er... I mean dogSIT him if I ever do a house swap with you and Angus. xxxx

Posted by: redsaid at March 20, 2006 08:44 PM (hSCXM)

37 One important thing to do when naming a pet is to picture yourself in your night clothes, standing in the doorway yelling the pets name for the whole neighborhood to hear. The trick here is to not have the men in white coats show up before said pet returns home. If I have to vote I would go with Nigel first, and Gorbachev with the Gorbie nickname firmly attached as second

Posted by: Dane at March 20, 2006 09:24 PM (fficu)

38 How exciting!! I won't tell my Sweetheart that it's all your fault after I go out and rescue another one and just bring him home, okay? But it will be your fault!

Posted by: sophie at March 20, 2006 10:33 PM (CkQss)

39 *Sniffle* I did the happy dance for you. Of course, my own dog, Lucy, gave me the whole "you don't get that excited over me, Mom" look. I am soooo psyched for you, Helen. I think Gorbachev works well with him. He is darling...and yes, as mentioned before, he has very soulful eyes. I think you two will understand each other well...

Posted by: Dana at March 20, 2006 11:46 PM (lJLXC)

40 Definately a colin.

Posted by: Guest at March 21, 2006 06:43 AM (eKylX)

41 Yay! You have been waiting for a while for this! Definately Gorbachev. A puppy that sweet needs a fun name.

Posted by: stephanie at March 21, 2006 06:48 AM (mdrh/)

42 Now THAT is a dog. How much do I love his goofy spotted nose? It's adorable. He's adorable!

Posted by: ilyka at March 21, 2006 06:56 AM (P9Uyk)

43 Awwww...both of the doggies are adorable. Congratulations on adoopting Mr.Whateverhisnameendsupbeing. You must be counting the hours till next Friday!

Posted by: selzach at March 21, 2006 12:45 PM (BvIAP)

44 I have to go with Ms. Pants. I like Mortimer, because it keeps with the whole M thing you've got going with the cats, and Morty is a cute nickname. But in addition to G-dog for Gordon, you've also got Gogs, which I think is really cute for a dog. I don't know. I'm torn. I'll shut up now.

Posted by: amy t. at March 21, 2006 04:04 PM (zPssd)

45 The (very close) second choice for the baby's name was Colin, coincidenally. I guess that would be my vote. If I voted on these things; which I do not because it's your baby puppy and his name will just come to you, given his personality traits. Yanno? Love you,

Posted by: Margi at March 21, 2006 09:20 PM (BRtaN)

46 I'm having a bad evening, but I was so happy to read your blog! Congraluations! First vote: Nigel, second vote: Gorbachev. Nigel seems like such a sensible name that just fits him beautifully. Good luck and hope to hear many wonderful stories!

Posted by: Hannah at March 21, 2006 10:37 PM (ImQx2)

47 Oh - he's *beautiful*. I'm so glad you found each other. As far as names go - I love all of your ponderments. I think that once you've spent some quiet one-on-one time with him - you'll know exactly which one he is. I'm so happy for you all.

Posted by: Skye at March 21, 2006 11:29 PM (20aX8)

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