Nom D' Fume

Dear Dog Lady,

We love your column and sound advice. We are interested to know your thoughts related to a matter of etiquette. We are partners and have a nine-month-old Westie with an uncommon name. She is the center of our universe. Recently friends of ours got a second dog and gave her the same name. We were a bit taken aback, but have not said anything about this to our friends. Are we being too proprietary about this name thing? Is it in poor taste to name one's dog the same unusual name of his friend's dog? Your thoughts would be most appreciated.

Ian and Antonio, Boston, MA

Ian and Antonio, you guys are quite clever to conceal your Westie’s uncommon name from Dog Lady, and your guile is understandable, considering you don’t want anybody else to steal the marvelous moniker.

Imagine the homeowner who proudly paints her house a sumptuous shade of Martha Stewart “Bedford Grey” only to see the next-door neighbor copy the same posh palette. Or think of Reese falling to pieces when Ms. Witherspoon discovered the exact Chanel dress she wore to the Golden Globes was worn by Kirsten Dunst two years earlier.

It’s very awkward, but there’s nothing you can do except hope the other dog with your Westie’s sobriquet is not a rampaging pit bull that makes a criminal name for itself. Don’t be copy catty. Try to ignore the whole thing and feel flattered you made the first move in the name game.