Nicknames

Everyone loves good nicknames and we are no different.

Nicknames are a sign of affection, familiarity and memories, not to forget humour.

Brits especially love nicknames. I struggle to think of any friends who I refer to as their actual name. Rarely are they in my phone under their actual names.

This is precisely the same as we do with the dogs we walk. As they join more and more walks and we get to know them better we assign them multiple nicknames.

I will give a few examples, but it seems only fair to go into my own nicknames first.

My birth name, Matthew, is exclusively used by my mother. In any other setting and I am normally in some kind of trouble. The use of my actual name seems to mean something official is needed.

Over the years I have had a lot of nicknames. My nicknames include: Matt (used by almost everyone), The Dogfather (in reference to my work), Shirls (an abbreviation of Shirley as my University housemates found my middle name Chollet amusing), Beanie (refers to my surname, Hein), Heinz Beans (once again a play on my surname), Heiny (surname, or I would like to think in reference to my lovely bottom).

Now onto the dogs: (few examples as the list is huge)

Fridtjof: Fridts, Fritz, the Colonel, Mr F, Fridtjofferson

Quila: Quils, Killer, Kills, Quialini

Fant: Fantly, Fantini, Marco Fantini (play on Marco Pantini the late great italian cyclist)

Haraka: Mr H, Haracks, Haraka Matata (lion king inspired).

Vali: The V man, Valonche, Vaaal (one of his owners is Australian, so this works perfectly), Big V.

Samus: Sam, Samuchi (japanese style), Samoooose.

Nicknames add a certain fun element, a certain friendship bond which we very much feel with the dogs.

Please feel free to let us know any good nicknames you use for your pups.

Doggies: Jello, Quila, Lexi, Oscar and Ibsen