Sense of self, that’s what. Naming our companion animals is one of our first and most important acts of stewardship. It’s tempting to go for goofy names like Bluto and Peabrain, or physically descriptive names like Blacky and Halfpint. I’ve done it. I nicknamed my dearest Siamese friend Meatball. After all, she was round and brown and tore around like a ball of fire. The problem is, what are you feeling when you call someone a meatball? Yeah, that’s right. I did her no favors with that name.
When you say your cat’s name, does he look up? When you call your dog, does she come with alacrity? If not, it may be because you are not speaking to them – at least, not as far as they are concerned. Companion animals express dislike of their names in a myriad of ways.
- Emotional distance
- Lack of responsiveness
- Minor aggression
If you are seeing such behavior in your friend, your best bet is to hire an animal communicator to get to the bottom of it. The solution may be as simple as a name change. And it’s never too late to change a name.
Animals often have a name for themselves. When two firebellied newts joined my household, I asked them their names. One replied telepathically, “I am Tinga,“ while showing an image of herself swimming gracefully. The other replied with a picture of a weeping willow gently swaying in a zephyr. I named him Willow.
Boy, do those names fit! Tinga spends all of her time in the water. By contrast, Willow climbs the aquarium wall, artfully arranges himself to blend with the branches, and snuggles into the gnarled roots in his tank. What’s your name? That simple question deepened my understanding of these new friends, enabling me to design a habitat that fit them – roots and branches for Willow, and plenty of water for Tinga.
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Let’s say that you’ve asked, and your animal friend does not have a name in mind. What next? Check for preferences. When speaking through an interspecies communicator, have on hand a list of names you like. Run them by your animal friend. If you’re really hooked on a particular name, express what it means to you. If it’s a positive name, your pal will likely embrace it with pride and excitement over your shared future.
Names can describe your companion animal’s potential, an inspiring quality or a trait they are proud of. I once worked with an adopted stray named Angel. Originally named for his pure, white coat, Angel has risen to the potential the name implies. I have come to see that he looks for ways to bring his lonely human companion joy. With these tips in mind, consider the life path you will share with your animal companion while mulling over possible names. The reward will be great.
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