January 10, 2018 “Naming my New Puppy”
After experiencing a heart attack in November of 2017, I decided to get a puppy.  I figured a puppy would not only give me something to love and take care of, but it would also get me out of the house and force me to exercise.  A puppy requires attention.  It requires the owner to take time to train it, to love it, to walk it, and to water and feed it.  A puppy would give me hope, love, and a reason to live.  So, I chose this little angel online.  She is a miniature golden doodle, which is part golden retriever, and part miniature poodle.  The father is a full bred miniature black poodle, so she picked up the curly black hair and miniature size of her father.  She won’t be ready to be adopted until the end of January, so I have had some time to think about what I should name her.  I began searching for an appropriate name for my little life-giving companion.  What is in a name?  The Bible tells us that Jesus is the name above all names, and that at His name, every knee in heaven and earth should bow at his name. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11) KJV. The Bible also tells us that a good name name is important. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1) KJV

So, what should I name this little angel puppy that will help restore me back to health? I first thought the name “Pepper” would be good, as she is solid black, and so is pepper.  Then, I thought about the name Midnight Song, as she would most likely keeping me up late at night, but Paul and Silas sang praises at midnight while they were in prison, so that would be a good name for her, but decided that it was too long of a name for a puppy.  I spoke to several different people about it, and everyone wanted me to name her after them.  My mother wanted me to call her “Emma”, but since Mother is coming to visit, it might confuse the puppy when I call my mother Emma also.  So that name is out.  I have a list that I have going through my head:
Coco- She would make me think of the dark chocolate that I am NOT eating!  LOL
Roxy-Short for Roxann.  One of the dearest women in the world to me was named Roxann, but she would not allow me to call her Roxy. That always struck me as funny.  Roxy is a playful and fun name.
Lady- Lady was a beautiful cocker spaniel in the Disney movie, “Lady and the Tramp”, and my previous dog was a chocolate colored cocker spaniel.  Lady is a proper name.
I still have a few weeks to land on a good name for my little puppy.  She was born at Thanksgiving, right after I had my heart attack, so I thought about God’s goodness and grace on my life, and the fact that He gave me a second chance at life.  Should I name her Gracie, or Chance?  I want to stay in God’s will for my life, so should I call her Wilma?  She is going to be like an angel coming to rescue my lonely heart, so should I call her Angel?  The collar that she is wearing now is peach colored, so should I call her Peaches?  I will bring her home in two weeks. She will be named, and she will be loved, and those two things are better than great riches, silver and gold.
I haven’t decided yet what her name will be, but I know it will be a good name, and I know that I love her already.