Tiger, Tiger, Tiger...

When I was a kid, my best friend John had a husky named Rusty. She was a sweet, tolerant pup. We found out that dogs would answer to up to three different names so we started calling her Yogurt. I know now that it's more how you say it than what you say for the dog to respond and understand. But back then, we thought it was the funniest thing that we could give her a completely different name and she'd answer to it.

Fast-forward 30 years...

I started out calling him Tigger. He was bouncy, just like the character, and kinda dim-witted. And striped. It fit. In the 3+ years I've had him, he's become almost as perfect a dog as Forest was. Tiger still has time and is improving every day so it's quite possible that he'll attain that status. Not that he cares, of course. Unless there are treats for earning "best dog"! Which there are.

"Piglet" was his next name - coined by my mom. Man, oh man, could that pup eat! While Forest would take his time, seemingly savoring each bite, Tiger would practically inhale his food. It was crazy! And, to this day, he does the same thing. Any food in his bowl or on the floor will be gone in seconds.

So, I put the names together - Tiglet. But that sounded funny. Twiglet sounded better. It flowed better. But then, I shortened that to just Twigs. And sometimes I'll even call him Twiggles.

[Sidenote - Forest also had a nickname. I started by calling him Dog Nut - stemming from doughnut. Pretty soon it became Nutters and got shortened to just Nuts. So, with both of them, I had Nuts and Twigs. LOL! I couldn't have planned that better!]

I love my Twiglet and I wish him the happiest 4th birthday ever! He's a good, good boy and deserves everything I spoil him with.

I love you baby Twigs! Happy Birthday!