It Takes Time To Change Your Dog’s Name
Posted on September 2nd, 2009.by James Bell
Our second Norwich is what I call a “rehab” dog. She came to us with a problem or two. But then, she’s a Norwich, and we love that breed. So Suz and I made a decision to shift to “rehab mode”. One problem with this dog was a perceived need to urinate at the wrong time. Thankfully, she’s a dog and does not attend our Sunday services, where some folks could have been a bad influence on her. Another problem was her name. Her registered name is Happy Trails. But you can’t step out our front door and loudly call her that. We love the fact that our neighborhood is a mixing bowl of all ethnic groups. If you yell out “Happy Trails!”, a neighbor out taking a walk might glare at you and say, “I live here, dude. Not going anywhere”, and give you an unfriendly wave. And also, how do you play with a dog called Happy Trails? Do you call it Hap? Or Tray? Not.
Her former owner called her Miss Ellie. That’s what she was called during her “good dog gone bad” days. Call her that and her ears immediately lower and her tail goes between her legs. A name change was in order. Suz came up with “Weezie”. It was perfect. Except that she spells it “Ouizzie”, and that spelling is way too sophisticated for my little canine friend, who snarls at dogs and licks people with equal offensiveness. It is also too casual for the occasions when she needs a father/b-word talk from me, and I opt for “The Weezmeister”. She respects that.
Most (normal) people never change their dog’s name. You know why? It’s really hard for you and the dog. In fact, most dogs just chalk it up to human stupidity and only respond if there’s food involved. You can’t just change a dog’s name. It’s a process. It takes time and effort. On the other hand, we did it and now we wouldn’t have it any other way.
In the Bible, God changed people’s names when a life change was needed. Abram, Jacob, and Saul of Tarsus, for example. They each needed a big-time change in their lives. God decided to change the very thing that gave them their identity. Gideon was known as a cowardly hoarder of grain. God called him a mighty man of valor. Ever wonder what he calls you?
You struggle with doubt, but God calls you a man of faith. You are tempted by Satan, but God calls you a woman of God. You feel weak, but God mentions your strength. You recognize fear in your heart, but God sees his own Son in your heart. You worry about the future and God is anticipating your future with great delight!
Maybe it’s time to start being who God says you are.
It takes time and patience to change a dog’s name, but we did it. And we are also seeing a big change in the dog. I am convinced that she adapted to the new lifestyle more quickly because of the new name.
No offense, but these days, when I yell, “Weezie!” and suddenly there is a brown blur racing across the yard to meet me, tongue out, legs flying, eyes wide open… I can’t help thinking about what God might be planning for you.
…and me, too!
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