What's in a Name? ...

Let me tell you ...

A name is a very important "word" that is bestowed upon a person, animal, or thing.  It helps to accurately define/describe the person, animal or thing.

Last Friday, I took home my daughter's Guinea Pig for part of the Winter/Holiday break. We are sharing "custody" with another family from her class.  We get the pig for a little over a week and the other family gets the pig for the remainder of the break (a little over a week as well).

We were pretty excited about having this "creature" as we so very much miss having a pet in the house.  It took just a couple of hours and the guinea pig settled in and relaxed.  The pig would actually chat with me when it was hungry.  I must admit the "pig" is cute but sure makes a poopy and pee mess of its cage and having to clean it out is not my favorite thing in the world to do.  Which is why I'll be happy to add a "puppy" in my house because they pee and poop outside once trained!

Anyhooo ... the guinea pig has a "name".  The name given to the "pig" is Petunia.  Much like we did with rabbits I had back in my childhood, the original owners must have determined the "sex" of the creature based on how it looked to them (and when I say looked I am not referring to the underparts).  The original owners name the guinea pig Petunia.  It turns out the "pig" is male and not female.  Every time we call it Petunia, we then find ourselves referring to the pig as "she".  This poor emasculated creature!  I have, therefore, changed his name (at least in my home) to "Tunes" as it sounds much more masculine.  I think that's why the "pig" likes me the best!  I gave him back some masculinity.

He is very cute and it has been fun having him around.  I'm sure some tears will be shed when we need to pass him on to the next family on Monday.  Until then, we'll enjoy our house guest, make him feel like a "King" and hopefully pump up that ego just a little bit before sending him off to another place were he'll be referred to as Petunia once again.

Sorry Tunes, I wish I could "legally" change your name.