One of the fun things about getting a new rescue dog who is also a tripawd is the nicknames! Dudley came to us with a firmly established name that fit him so well! Here is a list of the many names we have come up with based on his character 🙂
Dudley Muffin (the shelter would call him Studley Dudley)
The Dude (from The Big Lebowski), also Dudely, Doodles, Dudders, Duders, Dooders, Dudley Doodle, Duds, Doodle Bug (because when he is on his back, he thrashes about)
And then there’s the stubborn nicknames…because he will give you the eyeball and make you feel guilty about trying to budge a 3 legged dog. No Budge Dud…The Dudley Dig In, Slugley (when he is in a blanket burrito and isn’t going anywhere)
Dudley Do Right, Deadly Muffin ( my nephews came up with that one as well as the next one) The honorable Dudley MacGraham Cracker ( a combination of my nephews middle names. we actually thought the MacGraham Cracker up before we had a dog to adopt)
Bubbers (my go to name for male cats and dogs…Dudley is the 4th or 5th to be called that) Butt butt, another generic term of affection, usually used when giving a good smacking on the rump.
I also use the “git your butt over here” “I can see your tail through the bushes and I know where you’re going” “Seriously, you’re going to hike your butt up the neighbor’s driveway???” “Don’t make me come up there” “You get those leaves and toss them all around” He loves to pee in the leaves and ferns and then dig about. It is the funniest thing ever and I really think it gives him so much satisfaction having lost a leg to toss leaves around and dirt.
I must say, there is something really special about having a “special needs pet” . My little old lady cat is such a character. She is losing her vision and hearing and has respiratory issues due to having a narrow nasal passage. She is the most onery thing ever. Dudley is missing a leg and he is turning out to be very obstinate. When he gets excited, he needs to run. I have to make sure that if he is off leash, I can direct him in the proper direction, like away from the somewhat busy road. I usually do the sweeping arms and say “go, run this way, run like the wind…do your thing!!!” If I can redirect him, he does just fine. Whichever way he is pointing is where he channels his burst of energy.
Now THAT is a great list of nicknames! It’s nice to have a bag of names to reach into for just the right time. We do the same for our Nellie. She’s Nellie B. Dawg, Nellie Bones, Nellie Bad Dog, Nellie B. Good, Nells, Nellie Beans, and more!
I think having a special needs pet is quite an honor. Animals already put so much faith in humans. Those who are different and not 100% physically capable are putting even MORE faith in us. It’s a joy to come through for them isn’t it?
Run like the wind Dudley! You are home!
Dudley ran like the wind tonight but he was so focused on finding a good spot to poo that I was able to get a leash on him before he went up the hill to the neighbor’s house. Some evenings I don’t feel like hiking up their hill to retrieve him 🙂 And they would totally be fine welcoming him in for the night. We are very fortunate to have a couple of amazing neighbors with dogs right next to us. Dudley has multiple vacation homes just across the road <3