Come, Lucy, Come!

Dear Dog Lady,

I’m feeling a bit paranoid because it seems every dog I meet these days has my name -- Lucy. Sometimes, when I’m out in the neighborhood, I hear stereo commands ringing in my ears: “Lucy! Come! Or, “Lucy! Drop it!” Or, worse, “Lucy! Bad girl!”

I’m a little confused. What is it about my moniker that makes it such an appealing dog name?

-Lucy, Columbus, Ohio

Lucy, Dog Lady's got some 'splainin' to do.

Your question may sound self-absorbed to some readers but you do have a point. Dog Lady knows many dogs named Lucy: Lucy the yellow Lab, Lucy the Pomeranian, Lucy the Shepherd mix, Lucy the Golden Retriever, Lucy the Brittany spaniel, Lucy the cockapoo, Lucy the Pug. . .

Obviously, “Lucy” resonates with some loosey-goosey spirit of whimsy. Sibilant “Lucy” is also an ideal dog name because it has two syllables and sounds earthy. You can have lots of fun with “Lucy” -- such as dragging out the pronunciation into “Looooooooooocy.”

Don’t be paranoid or confused, but take it as a compliment. Think of how many many doting dog keepers gaze at their pets and murmur the immortal words: “I love Lucy.”

Posted by Dog Lady at April 1, 2004 11:33 PM