One Sick, Nameless Puppy

Puppy-puppy became very ill last evening and throughout the night. I don't have a clue what she got into since everything goes into her mouth - everything. Pretty much all of the plants and mushrooms around here are toxic. Great for deer proofing the landscaping but not so good on puppies. After being up all night and going outside every 15 to 20 minutes she is finally back to her playful (and hungry) self. I on the other hand have not seen sleep for quite a while.

Cedar caring for her sick daughter.

While lying awake with the sick little girl, I pondered her name.

"Koyuk" her litter name - the "uk" sticks on the tongue;

"Trail" - OK;

"Tundra" - sorta;

I could stick with the BrownStone tradition of naming my Chinooks after rivers that Chinook Salmon are found. The Chetco river in southern Oregon is known for it's salmon. "Chetco" - nice sound.

I checked to see which dog was the first to Nome and which one won the Golden Harness award this year. Mackey's "Maple" got both honors. "Maple" could work.

Then I pondered the Iditarod adventurers:

Mackey first four time in a row winner. Winner of this year's Iditarod. "Lance" - nope; "Mackey" I already have a "McKenzie" - too close.

Libby Riddles the first woman to win the Iditarod Race. "Libby" - OK.

Susan Butcher the first 4 out of 5 time time winner. "Susan" or "Butcher" don't work for me.

DeeDee Jonrowe, three time runner up, breast cancer survivor and an a huge inspiration to all mushers. "DeeDee" could work.

I then fondly remembered the woman who introduced me to mushing and many of the 2005 Iditarod mushers. She was a fellow Outward Bound instructor. In Outward Bound we had a motto: Be Tough yet Gentle, Humble yet Brave, Swayed only by Beauty and Truth. Mellen Shea embodied all of these traits more than any person I have ever known. Mellen ran the Iditarod twice and all the other big Alaskan/Canadian dog sled races. A year after she showed me how to balance on runners while careening around corners behind her by 12 seasoned racers, Mellen lost the toughest challenge of all. She died of breast cancer after putting up put up a year long, fierce battle. "Mellen" - works; "Shea" - rolls of the tongue nicely.

Mellen Shea

So there you have it, a list of possible names for little girl.

Koyuk, Trail, Tundra, Chetco, Maple, Libby, DeeDee, Mellen and Shea.

Let me know what you think.