Monday, July 4, 2011

Tod and Todd - What's In a Name?

A few of you have asked where we got the name 'Todd' for our newest, and youngest addition.  Today I thought I'd share with you where the name came from.

Carl and I got our first Golden Retriever in June of 1996.  Of course we wanted to pick out the perfect name for him.  I wanted to name him 'Fox' but Carl and the person we got him from, balked at that. Then I remembered a favorite Disney movie called 'The Fox and the Hound' which you may recall tells the story of two unlikely friends, a red fox named Tod and a hound dog named Copper--The name Tod means fox, so Tod it was!

Tod was as all Goldens are supposed to be, handsome, friendly, playful and easy going...Sadly though, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and died just before his 6th birthday.  
~Tod and our cat Drifter~
Being the sentimental person that I am, I thought of naming our first Scottish Terrier, Tod, after our first Golden Retriever, adding the second letter 'd' to the end, but I just wasn't sure.  Then when I was researching Scottish names, I came across a website that explained that Tod is a Scots word for fox. (In Scotland and the north of England a todhunter is a fox hunter.) While the doubling of the final letter is a 'corruption,' it's the more common spelling, and most of the 'Todd's' are Scots.  With that, I decided that Todd was to be the name of our new puppy!  
It has been a long time since I've called a dog named Tod.  And I  have to admit that at first its use brought back a lot of sadness because of its connection to a life that ended much too soon.  But now I'm finding that a name that was connected to heartbreak is changing with the antics of a little Scottish Terrier who shares the same name.

45 comments:

  1. Oh he is cute cute cute!!! Belly up! :) I love the second picture in the post below of him standing on the chair and that quizzical look. Adorable!!
    xo Catherine

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  2. kim i love the name and this new baby will bring back wonderful memories of your golden tod as well. that pic of new tod in the chair is soooo good and should be framed! the light is perfect! i noticed a little fox toy lying beside him as he stretches out. so cute! :)

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  3. So Todd it is. And I like it. It is a strong name, a bold name, and the name of a man wearing a skirt....but just the same it is a good name.

    Todd is so cute you have almost made My Vickie reconsider her promise to herself that after me, there would be no more puppies.

    She said from now on she is just going to adopt old goldens that need homes for their senior years.

    But that is down the road, cause now we have four other homeless dogs living with us and that is a total of 7 dogs and all the dogs at the day care.

    She says that is enough for now, but she still thinks you guys do a great service and the old ones are lucky to find you.

    Love
    Bert

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  4. awww. thanks for sharing the personal history of the name as well as it's origin and meaning. he is just adorable, but i know you know that! what a little package of joy, that one!

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  5. Woof! Woof! Oh KIM! We knew it that the name TODD has a Golden connection. Golden Tod is sure watching over Scottish Todd. My mom says she'll will do the same thing. Golden LOVE n Woofs, Sugar

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  6. He he, looks like you have a squirrel hunter rather then a fox hunter. He looks very comfortable in his new surroundings.
    Sue

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  7. I think Tod looks very very spoiled; already!

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  8. Hi Kim!

    Hope you are enjoying a peaceful 4th!

    Thanks for sharing this story about the name. Sounds like "Todd" was meant to be! And little Todd and his puppy belly couldn't be cuter!

    Sending good vibes for Rudi, as she is in my thoughts often...

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  9. Yes he is very cute and i think it is a good name. To remember and to go forward is a good thing!

    And they sure are cute pictures!
    Leontien

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  10. Little Tod was precious!! So sad to lose him so young. I loved The Fox and the Hound!! I was wondering if that was where you got Todd's name.. but now I know how you came up with it. Great story! Todd... you are too cute... and Gracie has a squirrel-y friend just like the one you're holding in your mouth. (is it a squirrel?) That last picture says it all. Todd looks like he's in doggie heaven...

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  11. I almost can't stand coming to your blog. It is filled with so much cuteness it overwhelms me! =) I love the story of the first Tod and how Todd got his name and what it means. Love your critters so much

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  12. Being scotties ourselves, we immediately thought of fox. Great name.

    XXXOOO Daisy, kendra & Bella

    Is he learning about squirrels by having a stuffie?

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  13. I love the story of Todd's name! Our very first family dog was a German Shepherd-Rottweiler mix who we named Nikki. Our mom had been eyeing him for months and my father finally got him for her for her birthday. Sadly, we only had him for 24 hours as when my parents brought him for his first checkup at the vet's he was diagnosed with a very serious heart defect. Why he was still even available at the pet shop was beyond us and still is, but needless to say that it put a definitive end to our relationship with pet shops. We had planned on naming out next dog, also a German Shepherd, Nikki, but when we got her it just didn't suit her, nor did it suit the second German Shepherd my mom got as a playmate for Micha. Many years down the road though, once Micha was gone and my mom started rescuing German Shepherds and the first dog came through our door I said 'This is Nikki'...and Nikki he remained, even after he was adopted :o)

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  14. Little Todd seems to be growing already! He sure is a cutie! I'll bet Jill would have a blast with him. I almost called today, then thought better of it. Did you have a great day? I'm sure, with all that golden goodness and those terriers!

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  15. Sweet story and precious Todd and Tod. We named our Ellie after Eleanor Roosevelt and intended to name our second dog Abby for Abigail Adams. However we decided the names were too similar so we named the second one Lucy, after "Lemonade Lucy Hayes." And Lucy suits our Lucy better than Abby would. She just seems more like a Lucy.

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  16. Those pointy pink ears! What a charmer. I wonder how long it will be until he outgrows his little chair? I'm glad the sad memories are turning into happy ones.

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  17. Tod and Todd. Two adorable pups.

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  18. Thank you for sharing this story! I'm so glad that little Todd is bringing smiles and laughter into your home.

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  19. Your 1st Golden Retriever was truly a beautiful boy! That is so sad that he passed away so soon. I like the name Todd. I think it suits the little Terror oops! I mean...Terrier. Hehe! I be this little guy is a handful.

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  20. Todd is darling! And he looks a bit foxy too. Ah... to have a puppy around again. They add so much life and happiness to the mix. Enjoy, dear.

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  21. The photos of Todd just keep getting cuter and cuter and we have a hard time leaving your bloggy.
    That little baby boy,,, is so kissable!
    The story you shared is so beautiful and full of love.
    That's what is important.... you loved Tod so much,, that now you carry on a tribute to him. And now we know the story,,. and of course.. now Tod lives in our hearts just as baby Todd does.
    The photos are precious
    love
    tweedles

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  22. Oh my Todd is so cute, can't get enough of his cuteness.

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  23. Tod was such a beautiful boy, how sad to have lost him so young. Todd is GORGEOUS and so photogenic! I didn't know the origins of the name Tod(d) and so that post was really interesting.

    He looks like he is bringing you lots of joy and laughter, which is a great balance for the worry and heartache that frequently comes with looking after elderly goldens. You deserve lots of joy and laughter.

    xxx

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  24. Todd and his toys . One happy boy .

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  25. Interesting article and all of these pictures are so beautiful. He looks very cute.

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  26. O such a nice story...love the name...enjoy a happy day and your sweet puppy....and all your lovely daogs....xxx...

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  27. Some names were just meant to be and "Todd" suits him , perfectly !! nice to have a special Scottish meaning to his name-with the extra d makes it a little different too.It certainly looks like he is a lot of fun and sounds like you are getting a lot of enjoyment from him xxx

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  28. One good Tod deserves another as do you!...:)JP

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  29. Lovely story! Todd is as cute as can be!!
    xoxo

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  30. Ooooh! I'd watch out! That Todd is a squirrel killer! Ferocious! Tee hee.

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  31. I'm so glad that this adorable little piece of dogdom named Todd has come into your life. I hope that he brings you joy for a very, very long time.

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  32. I love recycling pet names. Our first rottie, Max died and it tore our hearts out, so two months later we got another rottie pup and also named him Max. We called him 'Little Max' for a long time... one day we dropped the 'Little' from his name because he just wasn't little anymore. LOL

    DI

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  33. I think it's a very cute name for him! I had no idea it had such history for you, but it seems like it was really meant to be!

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  34. Todd is a perfect name for him. I don't think he has enough toys :o)

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  35. first i go to france profonde to visit beloved wee polar bear wilf. then i head over to golden pines.
    i could spend all day in each place!
    the sunlight shining thru those ears and just the two puppies sharing the wonderful name... tod and todd. Perfection.
    and is there nothing sweeter than an exhausted baby pup asleep on his back...totally trusting this world he's in?
    god bless you, as always.
    love,
    tammy j

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  36. I think Todd and my Rocky would have much fun together.

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  37. So cute and what a lovely colour! ... :0)

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  38. I confess I read this post last night, half-comatose as I was. But that last photo made me laugh out loud. What a little ball of heaven you have there. :)

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  39. I'm not sure I could name a pup after Sam, or Monty, but I can see why you wanted to keep the good memories going.

    Sam

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  40. I can 'see' many funny tales in your future! Thanks Todd!

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  41. Todd ~ what a little rascal. Just love what you all do with the dogs. I love all folks who rescue. We called our wildlife rescue & rehab tonight (10:00 pm) and they will be receiving about a 2 day old baby bunny we found tonight at our barn. He's sleeping soundly in a tiny little box filled with alpaca wool. Hats off to you all and love the pictures of all the dogs. Debi

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  42. Todd is just the cutest little thing!! I wish you all only happiness!

    Woofs & hugs,

    ~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

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  43. Paws remain crossed for Rudi. We hope she is not in pain.

    Is Reggie still enjoying being a surrogate mama for little Todd? He looks like a most happy fella. Glad to hear Charlie is slowly coming around; he should be glad to have another terrier around the place to share serious ground sniffing games with.

    Jed & Abby

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  44. What a sweet sweet story!!!! I loved the Fox and the hound.. my oldest used to watch it over and over.
    Our golden "sharky" (named by his mother) is just 2, he is our first golden and after having him ~ We will ALWAYS have a golden. What a sweet breed.

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!