This Just In ...

The Barking Lot (03/10/12)

Posted by Kevin Fischer on March 10, 2012

The Barking Lot

The Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of this just in…Written by my lovely wife, Jennifer and me.  It opens with the weekend dog walking forecast followed by the main blog from dog lover, Jennifer. Then it’s DOGS IN THE NEWS and our close. Enjoy!


THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors. 

TODAY:  Wake up to 30 degrees, then, a warm-up. Sunny and windy. High of 55.  "B"

SUNDAY:  Mostly cloudy. High of 60. "B"


Here’s my lovely wife, Jennifer with this week’s main blog:

At the time my parents adopted our literally “free to a good home” Basenji-Cocker Spaniel mix her name was Charlene.  That didn’t stay long, as they asked me what I wanted to name her.  My response:  “Sugar.”  Hey, what did I know?  I was two.  Or maybe I did have some insight into the dog that would be by my side the next seventeen years.  She truly was the sweetest dog you would ever hope to meet.

My best friend Michele had a dog during her childhood who was aptly named “Rags.”  Rags, too, was a delightful and super-sweet dog… she was also a mix of every mid-sized breed you could think of.

My much-loved and now much-missed dog-in-law was a beautiful yellow Lab named Leia.  She didn’t wear her ears in swirly knots; her “main” owner, my nephew, was crazy for all things Star Wars when they brought the puppy home.

So what do these naming stories tell you about dogs and their owners?  Well, I’ve never met a Doberman Pincer named Gracie, a Rottweiler named Peaches or a Shih Tzu named Grizzly.  And apparently there is a non-scientific but pretty obvious reason for it.  Naming expert Laura Wattenberg compiled a “list of some 5,000 dog names and photos. Though a number of common themes emerged, she found the type of name chosen was frequently dependant on the breed.”  You can read the rest of her findings here. 

Interesting stuff!  Certainly something I’ll keep in mind when we get the Fischer dog.  While Kevin & Kyla will surely have their input I’m still leading towards something that reflects my interests (I’m thinking Cupcake, Hershey, or Chardonnay.)
---Jennifer Fischer

Thanks, Jennifer.

Time now for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.


Dog neglected and starved...at a luxury dog hotel.


Landlords starting to ban certain breeds.


"The Mushing Mortician" to the rescue.


Good dogs. Very good dogs.


Megan Leavey wants to adopt.


Would you do-do what Millie Gonzalez does?


Huh? Dog track owners are joining with...their critics?


Mr. Gibbs, you're the best.


Dog survives 53 days in wild.


Florida man shot by his dog happy to return to work.


Dog's story shows how resilient our pets can be.


Trixie is up for national award.


Dogs on a canvas...popular.


"Canine freestyle."


THAT’S IT FOR DOGS IN THE NEWS.

HERE’S OUR DOG PHOTO OF THE WEEK:


The Smithsonian magazine's 9th annual photo contest finalists have been chosen. The contest attracted over 14 thousand photographers from all 50 states and over 100 countries. Fifty finalists from 67,059 images were selected by Smithsonian editors. Those editors will also choose the Grand Prize Winner and the winners in each of the five categories which include The Natural World, Americana, People, Travel and Altered Images. Here’s one of the finalists:

Ranch dog taking a break from work. Ellsworth, Nebraska, April 2010 (Jamie Illian/Dallas, Texas)


And we close with our closing video.

From this weekend's new blockbuster movie, Disney's "John Carter, " the lizard dog!

This could be good!