What's in a name?

Do you have a "pet name" for your "pet"? Our dogs (kids) all have human names and middle names. Jackson Philip is our oldest, Jilli Anne is our middle and Thomas Michael is our youngest. They all have so many nicknames that it's a wonder they come to us at all, when we call them. Jack's special pet names are: JP, Jax, Punim, Puney, Randal Francis, Randall and the newly added "Nub" to name a few. Jilli and Tommy probably get the worst of it. Jilli has: Jillibean, Willi, Jilli Vanilli, Willimina, Jay to get started Tommy, well, get ready... Thomas Michael, Captin Tuney, Tuneymelt, Milton, Melton, Smelton, SmellyMelly, Boo-boo bear, Fatty Bear and Fatty McFattington. These poor kids!!! Again, I say, it's amazing they come when we call them! But, we can call them by any of these names and they come to us. Individually and as a pack. I know, you can call whatever you want but it's the tone that brings them. Most times, I agree but not always. When I call Tommy, he will some times just look at me from across the yard, like "yeah, Mom, I hear you but it isn't dark yet...the street light isn't on. I'm staying out longer." and doesn't come regardless of how I say it, what I call him or how stupid I look. He's in the safety of his own fenced back yard and thinks why shoudl I go in if I'm not ready? He's right... why should he? The kids all come when it's urgent and necessary and that's what's most important. How many names do you have for your kids? Fur kids or human? I had several nicknames growing up too. Some worth keeping and some worth forgetting.

Do you mourne the loss of a leg?

Sorry, it's been so long... we have been kind of busy with Jack. On July 1st, 2010, Jack had his left rear leg amputated. One of the hardest choices I have ever been a part of. Nobody could say, for sure, taking the leg would be the "fix". It was a really tough decision but we knew we had to do something. Jack was in pain a lot of the time and on SO many meds. So, after lots of contemplation, we had Dr. Lacselles do the amputation. 28 stitches from his rib cage to his bum. Beautifully done, I might say. Another scar to add to Jack's collection. Poor kid. We are a month into it and it seems to have been the right choice. Dr. Lacselles said things were a mess inside. Everything was so fibrous it was crunchy to cut through and very difficult. The surgery took twice as long as it was supposed to but was a success. Jack has no issues on three legs except that he seems to think he has four and can still do all the things he did before. There's no slowing him down. We still have some kind of pain on occasion but nothing like before. Now we just have to determine if the pain is phantom pain, psychological pain or real pain. We weened off all drugs and have been drug free for two days! So far, so good. We go back to see the vet for a follow up some time in August. Will update on Jack's condition as we go along.