Changing a dog's name and offending the previous owner?
So, as you may know, we didn't name Skella. She was one year old when we got her and her name was already Skella (pr. skedla). It's not the name I would have chosen, but the previous owners said they wanted to visit her sometimes and I will likely be in contact with them a lot because they're still active in dogsports with their other two dogs and I'll be getting lots of advise from them when it comes time to breed Skella and get into conformation showing and so on.
Anyway, Noah has been saying lately that he really wants to change her name to Navi. I like the name Navi a lot more than I like the name Skella and I would have no problem changing her name, but I'm afraid of offending her previous owners. What would you do? Should I email them and ask them if they'd be okay with it? Should she just have two names? Should I just stick with the name Skella?
I had similar reservations about renaming Rakka (she used to be Sage) and I asked her previous owner if she would be okay with me renaming her and she said it was my decision. In that case, it was Noah who really wanted to change her name, too. He's not as afraid of offending people as I am, I guess.
So... what do you think?
Anyway, Noah has been saying lately that he really wants to change her name to Navi. I like the name Navi a lot more than I like the name Skella and I would have no problem changing her name, but I'm afraid of offending her previous owners. What would you do? Should I email them and ask them if they'd be okay with it? Should she just have two names? Should I just stick with the name Skella?
I had similar reservations about renaming Rakka (she used to be Sage) and I asked her previous owner if she would be okay with me renaming her and she said it was my decision. In that case, it was Noah who really wanted to change her name, too. He's not as afraid of offending people as I am, I guess.
So... what do you think?
Comments
There are two coworkers of mine, Audrey & Cassidy. Audrey adopted a puppy only found out she was having a baby, & didn't want to have to raise a pup & a baby together. Cassidy adopted the puppy from Audrey, and also changed the puppy's name. It has been a YEAR and Audrey is still mad that Cassidy changed the name, AND refuses to call the puppy by the new name when she talks to Cassidy. Quite ridiculous. She gave up her rights to the dog, why does she care what the dog's new name is?
If it were me, to be entirely honest, I would go ahead and change her name.I don't know the circumstances you came by her, but she was surrendered to you, and is no longer theirs. I suppose if you want to be nice about it you could ask permission...but really, it is quite ridiculous to get upset about changing the name of a dog who is no longer yours.
It'd be like me buying a house and the previous owner not allowing me to repaint the house a new colour.
If that made sense ~
I have taken in fosters who had a pretty good life before me and the original owners would keep in touch to see how they were doing, so I kept their names the same. My foster border collie was registered some crazy three word name, with the second name Clyde as his call name, so I kinda had to keep that, it was official. Besides, it helped the transition when their new forever homes chose a different name. It was their right.
But Osy is right, she is now your dog, whom you feed, house, care and love for. You should feel free to call her whichever name you choose - or whichever name Isaac can pronounce!
I agree with all that is said. They gave up rights to her when they gave her to you, therefor anything and everything pertaining to her is up to YOU!
We adopted Sasha as you all know. She was in her foster home for a year with the name Violet (her collar was purple when she came in, her sister was Green). I am still friends with her foster mom and I know she had a hard time with us changing her name and it took her a while to get used to it but it was up to us. I agree with Jen, new home, new life, new beginning deserves a new name.
Kitty's name was Rachel when we adopted her, lets just say that wasnt gonna fly, there can only be ONE Rachael (even if the spelling was different)!
Skella is yours. If you prefer Navi, then I say her name should be Navi.
"Link! Look! Listen!" or "Hey! Hey!"
I love that game, thank God I found a copy for Gamecube ~
I had no qualms renaming her, whether I was on good terms with this woman or not. I dont think you should either! If the owners have an issue with it, you can politely remind them that you feed and shelter her. Skella/Navi doesn't care about what her name is, thats all up to you and if it makes you happy, you should do it. Tsuki has learned her new name after 2 months with me, it doesn't take long at all.
I agree with Scientiste, the dog isn't going to be offended and she is the only other party who is directly affected by the name change.