Sunday, February 06, 2011

I've known too many Spaniels

One of the greatest fights ever was the duel between the man in black and Inigo Montoya at the top of the Cliff's of Insanity. They used Bonetti's defense, which was appropriate considering the rocky terrain. Thibault could cancel out the Capa Ferro attack. The opponent used his Agripa. It was a mighty duel. They both used their best moves and artistry in the sword fight. They dodged and parried and thrust and dodged some more. They both dueled left handed, a deception move used until they needed to switch to their right and stronger hand, which changed the direction of the battle twice.

The conversation that takes place right before the fight, as Inigo who is just waiting around to kill the man in black meanwhile assisting him is a wonderful display of honesty and mutual respect. The dialog during the battle is the same, each dueler complimenting the other while attacking with blades.

The man in black bested the Spaniard. Why? He was better. He wore down his opponent. He knew when to strike and when to sit back.

Lauren and the kids have bested me. They wore me down. They knew when to strike and when to sit back. I waited at the top of the Cliff's of Insanity to shoot down their requests to get a new dog. Our conversations were honest and showed mutual respect.

"I promise to take her for walks." Max would say smiling his semi-toothed smile.

I used Bonetti's defense. No, was my answer.

"I will feed the dog." Wyatt would say and bat his long brown eyelashes.

I have studdied my Agrippa. No.

Lauren called me last week. She was at the SPCA. She wanted to tell me about Lilly, the Spaniel mix, she had just found and fell in love with.

"No." I said.

"Why?"

"I have known too many Spaniels."

Lauren sent me a picture, which was equivalent to admitting she was not left handed.

We picked her up on Saturday. This is Lily.




Lauren and I want to change her name. Lily is one of my favorite names. We know a few Lilys. And each of them is beautiful and radiant. But they are people. Lily the dog is a beaut and radiant and full of life. But she is a dog. I don't want to, I don't know, disrespect or confuse the two. We are thinking of name for our new dog.

Any suggestions?


38 comments:

Unknown said...

Regret.

Heidi said...

Buttercup.

Anonymous said...

Does she have 6 claws on her left paw?

Anonymous said...

Iocane

Anonymous said...

Valerie - after Miracle Max's wife.

Unknown said...

Get to know her personality, then name her....she looks like she has Calalier in her but is much too big.....it is that spaniel thing....LOL :):) I think she looks like a sweet soul, myself....
my rescue dog is an incredible intuitive animal, I would never want to have her gone....enjoy her!

the other amy m. said...

Yea!!!! I'm so happy for you! Now Lauren will have another female in the house... always a plus. What a great surprise. Enjoy, I know you will. Can't wait to meet her.

Melinda said...

She has lovely eye-browns! I am very partial to the name Greta.

Michelle said...

Whatever you do, don't name her Humperdink. You could always call her Mandy (after Mandy Patinkin) which is a great doggy name! She's gorgeous, I'm glad you lost the duel. Another doggy finds a good home...great HEA if I ever heard one!

Eve Morasco said...

She is absolutely adorable. What about the name Stella? (means star in Italian). Just think of the possibilities when she won't come inside...

Anonymous said...

She kinda has a Fraggle Rock quality about her...I would check out those names!

Anonymous said...

Name her Joe

Anonymous said...

Cocker

Anonymous said...

Spaniel

Anonymous said...

You are so beautiful to me

Anonymous said...

Luna means Moon. Call this one Sunshine...Sunny for short...Did you say Lauren fell in LOVE with her? Call her Lovey...What am I doing? Naming A DOG? I am afraid of dogs! Guess my visits will be few and far between now....did you do this on purpose?

Anonymous said...

Quatro....four eyes....

Anonymous said...

Stella as in Stellaluna- the fruit bat from one of my favorite children's books by Janell Cannon.

Plus it is paired with Luna...one of my favorite dogs i have ever met.

Anonymous said...

I don't know why but when I saw her pic I thought of food. Smores in specific. I say go w/ Smores or Snickers. I'm going to get a snack now...

Anonymous said...

let her keep her name.... She already lost her last master and is in a new place.

Anonymous said...

Aww, she has beautiful eyes. Maybe you can name her something that rhymes with Lily so she doesn't get too confused. No, not Silly! (You can't fool me. I have boys.)

Great post, and congratulations.

Molly said...

Milly. Its close enough to Lily that she'll answer to it, but very much a doggie name.

eclectic said...

You could always call her Billie...


heh.

Anonymous said...

Phillie

Cyndy said...

Well Indigo Montoya, of course. Maybe just Indie for short?

Wendalette said...

How about Elia? Or Lee/Leigh? Or Lee-Lee?...so as to keep a similar sound and not confuse the dog too much...
There's always Illy, which is also the name of a delicious dark coffee, which does seem to be her colors (both with and without cream) as well...

Anonymous said...

Midge!

And God bless you guys for saving a life. <3 <3 <3

April said...

Don't rename her! Lily is lovely. I think dogs should have people names. (My word verification is flahroo. Name her that. Because it's fun to say.)

April said...

Don't rename her! Lily is lovely. I think dogs should have people names. (My word verification is flahroo. Name her that. Because it's fun to say.)

Anonymous said...

no Phillie. Pat's dog is Phillie

Anonymous said...

I second the vote for Joe.

Esther said...

I second Buttercup. Perfection!

Anonymous said...

Lucky. She is lucky because you saved her and it's kind of close to Lily so it won't be hard for her to get used to it.

Shannon said...

She kind of looks like our dog, Lou, who is also a Springer mix. So my vote is for Lucy.

Nancy said...

Ellie-close to Lilly.She is adorable.

DGB said...

This is an amazing post.

How about Peanut?

(You know why.)

Bogart said...

It would make Claire very happy if you used Cornucopia...that way she has an easy excuse to nix it off our baby name list.

Ella said...

This won't really have success, I feel like this.