How common is your dog's name?

In Seattle, one out of every 83 licensed dogs is named Lucy, according to a recent story in the Seattle Times. That's 540 dogs in the city's license database and does not include the much larger county database where my dogs are licensed.  The reporter consulted Vetstreet.com for the country's most popular dog names. No more Rex, Lady and Rover. Now they're Bella, Daisy, Lucy, Molly, and Chloe for the girls; and Max (in my son's generation, 1 out of 10 human boys seems to be named Max, too), Buddy, Charlie, Rocky and Cooper for the boys.

 I have never come across another dog named after the Spanish artist Joan Miro.  He doesn't look much like my dog but the artwork definitely reflects Miro's mind and personality.

Joan Miró, photo by Carl Van Vechten, June 1935

I didn't name Alanis but assume she was named after the singer Alanis Morissette, mostly because she's the only other Alanis I've ever heard of. Sadly, with her hoarse, one-note bark, the dog doesn't sound much like a singer.

Sometimes, no matter what your dog's name, the best name to yell is COOKIE!

I don't hear you.

I don't hear you, either; I'm squirrel-watching.

Somebody said cookie!