A Rose by any Other Name is a Rose
Dear Frankie,
Hi Frankie, Champ here. I’m a Labrador Retriever from a long line of pedigrees. My Dad was a breeder. When a puppy came along, he told me that had what it took to win a championship at The Westminster Dog Show; he would name him Champ. So that’s how I got my name. Unfortunately, we never did get to go to Westminster, but I did win many state and regional first prizes.
When my Dad got sick, he had to move to a hospice. Before he left, he asked a friend to find me a good home. Soon after, I had the good fortune to be adopted by a terrific family. My second Dad named me Max, after his childhood dog. He said he thought Max was the best dog in the world until I came along. Of course, I was flattered, but I still miss being called Champ.
I was proud of my name. It’s also the only thing I have left from my first Dad. Do other dogs care as much as I do when their new family gives them a new name?
Sad, Max
Dear Champ,
I thought it would please you to address you by your first name. I understand how important your birth name is to you. It was not only a name. It was also an honor. There is a saying – “A rose by any other name is a rose.”
In your situation, it means a name doesn’t change who you are. Once you are a Champ, you will always be a champ regardless of what anyone calls you.
Some women choose to change their last name when they get married. The difference, of course, is it’s their choice. Also, when children from foreign countries are adopted, their names are often changed by their adoptive families. I’m not trying to minimize your feelings by the previous examples. I’m just trying to point out that name changes, whether right or wrong, do happen.
The name that your second Dad gave you, however, was also an honor. Max was the name of his cherished childhood dog. How many dogs can say they were given two distinctive names in their lifetime? Not many.
Best, Frankie
© 2021 Geneva Woodruff
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