It’s no secret here that we’re dog people. They have this way of growing in your heart and into your family. To the core, they’re our favorite.
After the loss of Chloe, we honestly couldn’t bear it. We know everyone’s mourning process is different, but the corners of our home were too empty in the spots she once occupied… we had the honor of nearly twelve years with her, and she left such a void in our lives, there was a hole. The kids made it even harder – they missed her so much. We know how special a bond between children and pet can be. I think that it was because we were eager to start the next little chapter, that we only lasted a month before looking for some more little rescue pups to adopt into our family.
When we found these little girls, we knew we couldn’t separate them – and we thought… why not? {Probably one of the best questions someone can ask.} Two, so that it doesn’t feel quite like we’re trying to “replace” Chloe. Two, so that it’s twice the love and fun and mischief and messes and sweet moments.
We were so nervous when we decided to make the commitment, but we couldn’t wait to surprise the kids. We told them we were doing a quick photo, so there they sat, completely unaware while Jamin balanced two crazy pups in a giant box. It was love at first sight {refresh if it’s not loading}
Their smiles, and the sweet snuggles… make it all worth it.
I think they were so shocked, they weren’t sure how to react. Of course their first question was, what to name them? I mean, it’s important stuff. If it were up to Emerson, they would have been given the names ‘Rosebud’ and ‘Snowflake’… {much to the boys’ objections}. But we told them to wait a bit, and we would see what their names would be. It’s a little bit of a process really… finding something everyone loves that suited them. Eventually they grew into their names. It certainly didn’t take long.
Rigby was a bit of a departure from Rosebud, and her sweet, gentle demeanor, the name seemed to suit her. A little bit of a compromise with Emerson, with a nod to one of their favorite {ridiculous} cartoons. And a little bit of a nod to the Beatles, if we’re being completely honest {and shamelessly nerdy}.
Fitz’s process was completely different. The active one. The lead trouble making adventurer. I think she ate about five things, one of them being the curtains as soon as she warmed up to us. When she did a complete arial leap to lick my dad’s mouth as they paid a visit, my mom managed in between hysterical laughter, “She certainly will give you fits!”
Fits of frustration… Fits of laughter. And so Fitz, it was.
Fondly referred to, as “Fitzy” by us.
And they quickly grew into them, those names. Rigby & Fitz – Oh so perfectly selected by an expert naming committee… if we do say so ourselves.
With these new little additions, everything is noisier. Messier. Brighter. Happier. Livelier.
It’s amazing how quickly they’ve become a part of our family.
And while we can never replace Chloe… we know these gals make a great addition to our little family.
We’re honored to partner with Mars Pet Care brands to share a few of the wonderful things about their company and we love this sweet little video by IAMS™.
Every Dog has a story, and so does every Dog’s name. {This is one of our favorites ever… Refresh if it’s not loading}
My dad says that Rigby & Fitz won the lottery the day they came home with us.
I say, just like Chloe… we did.
How did you pick your dog’s name?
Everyone has their special story – We along with IAMS™ want to hear what makes them so special to you – let us hear it in the comments! We love these stories.
Over the next few months we are excited to partner with Mars Petcare, whose commitment is to a”better world for pets” and some of their brands like IAMS™ who are dedicated to helping enhance dogs’ health at every life stage. You can find more information on IAMS™ products at www.iams.com
We have to rescue pups. Chance is now 8 years old a terrier mix of some sort. After the death of my yorkie of 14 years it was very hard to even think of getting another dog. But went to a shelter and took a “chance” at the thought of adopting – hence the name Chance! Our most recent addition, Tucker, is about 10 months old and a sheltie mix. Bigger dog than what we’ve been used to but such a baby who loves getting up in my lap, flipping around to get his belly rubbed. This morning he chewed the buttons off my hubby’s shirt that was in a pile for the dry cleaners (he doesn’t know yet)!!!! His name was very tough. Being crazy University of KY Wildcat basketball fans we went through every players name to come up with something. When that didn’t work my adult son made a comment when seeing him laying under the table that he looked “tuckered out” from playing with his 4 boys! It stuck! Tucker it became! We are certainly blessed with 2 little boys that, as your dad said, were lucky to be chosen for a love filled home! The best to you and I love your blog.
That is just precious, Vicki. We love hearing how pups got their names from their sweet families! Thanks for sharing your sweet story! Love it!
This is precious! Love both of the videos and your sweet story!
Thank you, Alexis!
Our rescue, was Pudge when we got him. He just IS a Pudge. Everyone laughs cause he is quite “healthy” and loves to eat anything. ANYTHING! So Pudge he is, my boys would have had a totally different life and love of animals without him.
HAHAHA! I love that name! So cute!
Our first golden was named Cameron-after Cameron Diaz. My husband and I were just engaged, Cam was our first purchase together and I let him pick the name. She was with us for 14 years. Our new golden is named Piper. With 3 kids and 14 years of marriage under our belts, this name was our choice if our 3rd child (a boy) had been a girl. And it’s a nod to my husband’s love of airplanes! (Pioer is now 4 and is the best dog ever!
Awe, love it Stacy! Jamin and I were trying to remember the other day, What Malone’s name was supposed to be if he was a girl. His middle name. It was Malone either way, but we can’t remember what the girl version was! Shame on us. ;}
dang you, sappy background music, for making me teary eyed this morning! 😉 thanks for sharing-so neat.
Right?! That commercial owns us! I’ve already cried. You’re in good company.
It’s never about replacing, it’s about expanding your family. Good luck with your newest family members. May there be lots of laughter & joy with them.
Absolutely Erin! Thanks so much!
😉
Love, love, love this. I do wish we’d gotten a video of our fur baby arriving. And I love the story of “Duke”. We had s similar experience. Our puppy was given the name “bandit” but our youngest kept calling her “bad”. I guess we’d said that word to much. Ha!
That is hilariously adorable!
I so can relate to this story….I have had many dogs in my life, but “the” dog was my Maya…we had her for 11 years and due to a surgical mistake, she ended up having to leave me….I was devastated, we had tried so hard to fix the problem, but I refused to let her hurt anymore….so with love for her, I broke my heart.
I do not know when I would have been able to get another…but my husband brought home from work one day, a cute little solid black 4 pound puppy. Little by little we grew on each other…she needed me…like it or not… and now we are best buds….these two are absolutely adorable….enjoy life with them!
I never ever will forget my Maya…but I guess we honor those rescue’s we get by rescuing another…or two!
Awe Sandy. Our hearts ache for you. We know it’s tough. It’s amazing how they grow into our hearts, pretty quickly though. ;} It’s not the same… we know. But they’re just special in their own way.
Oh my goodness, that video brought tears to my eyes!!! Wow. Kids and dogs will always have a special spot in my heart.
I’ve had many dogs over the years – Sugar being “my” first dog and so the naming was all me. She was a West Highland White Terrier, so the name was perfect. We’ve had Bubbles (a boxer, named after her love of biting bubbles), Boone (named for the county we moved to at the time), Cooper (named after another county), and so many more. My first dog with my husband was named Rugby, after the sport he plays. We then adopted Zoey, who’s name came out of nowhere. And now we have Krypto, who was named when we got him. There was also a chubby chihuahua for awhile named Beefy (it was something else before that but Beefy stuck).
HAHAHA! I love them all! Those are hilariously awesome!
oh goodness. your pups are too cute! & i love your pup naming story! we “rescued” two at once also 😉 we made the fortunate mistake of taking 3 of our 4 kids with us to the humane society and while one daughter fell in love with the (seemingly) crazy but cute boy of the bro/sis duo – our younger 2 fell in love with his (seemingly) calm sweet sister. (they’ve switched personalities now!) i couldn’t choose between my kiddos – or split these litter mates so we adopted both. one has bandit like markings on his face and the kids wanted to name him “bandit”. we sorta tricked them into “taz” because he looks like a tasmanian devil also (and we had moved back to the u.s. from australia 6 months earlier) they bought it! our littlest was 4 at the time and she liked “flowers” “roses” or “daisies” for the girl – and so hmmm which one? lol. “daisy” she is! so that is our puppy naming story!
Awe gotta love littermate! Those are precious!
What a sweet story (and video; I hadn’t seen the extended version from what’s been playing as the TV commercial)!
Diggory came to me as a foster but quickly made it known that he was home to stay. His name at the shelter was “Oliver” (he was a stray so his “real” name was unknown) but already having a cat by that name, I had to think of something else. I am a big fan of the “Harry Potter” series and wanted to stick with that theme. Diggory was the best-fitting name for a dog, I thought. It also was fitting that his namesake, Cedric Diggory, was a Hufflepuff, the house known for loyalty and true friendship.
Oh my gosh stop it. Be my best friend NOW. ;}
When I clicked on Bloglovin I was having a not so great day and then this. First may I say, you have absolutely adorable children. I was so impressed by how they reacted to such a big surprise. And lastly as I sit here in a giant puddle of my own tears I realized how wonderful this world is and how many caring people there are in it! Good luck with the cuddly additions to your family❤️
Awe Nancy – such a sweet sweet thing to say! You seriously made my day. We are just trying our best and I’m afraid we fall horribly short. But thank you so very much. For what it’s worth, we had our bad day yesterday. You’re in good company. They definitely happen. Hugs to you! ;}
Animals are so good for children (and adults!) as it teaches them caring, compassion and so much more. I do not think I could ever live without a pet. My 2 cats give me love and companionship, comfort and laughs, and i adore them. One is Kala and one is Mooshoo.
So very true, Rose. We couldn’t agree more! And those names are adorable!
We had to put our 14 year old hound shepherd, Roxy, down in April. It was so sad. The kids were devastated and the house was so empty. I kept going to the animal shelter for therapy. Each week, I went to pet puppies. Sometimes my preschooler went. Sometimes all four kids came with me. After about 6 or 7 weeks, we finally found our puppy. She rolled over, licked, and loved her way into our hearts. I have always been a big dog person, but this little girl may be 30 pounds at best. She is a yellow lab mixed with something small. So she is probably considered medium sized. Anyway, the kids have been reading the Wizard of Oz series at bedtime. There are 15 or so books in all. They were coming up with dog names at dinner and decided on Ozma. For Ozma of Oz – one of the characters in the book. So we now have Ozma, Oz, Ozzy. She is the perfect addition to our family 🙂