What's in a Name?

A handful of letters, intentionally chosen, shapes our identity. Given at an early age, it’s more than who we are. It’s who we will become. Our names outlive us in the memories of those that love and care for us. We name our children, our pets, the songs we sing, and the books we read. Even fictional characters are handed names.

As I wrote my first novel, Bag of Lies, I randomly pulled names wherever I could find them.  The hero, the villain, the soldier, the spy… They each got a name that suited them.  But one of my characters, a minor role at best, was renamed just before the book was published.
Major Tickner’s small, stout bulldog originally had a different name. There wasn’t anything wrong with it. I just decided, last minute, that I wanted a certain name in the book, a name that held a very special place in my heart.

I remember sitting in an empty parking lot, almost ten years ago, holding the miniature piebald dachshund in my lap. She was wiggly and cute like most puppies anxious to explore the world around her. We had originally picked her out for one of my wife’s coworkers, so they named her and took her home. But they picked out the silliest name, or at least I thought so at the time. Why would you name a dog after a type of cheese?

I would have never dreamed that the puppy would be returned to us a year later, but she was. I thought for sure we would find her another home, so I tried to not get too attached. But it didn’t take her long to wiggle her way into our family. She unexpectedly found her place in my heart.  
The year 2020 was a difficult year for us all. The world changed, and many of us experienced loss in one way or another. The world kept spinning, but it left an emptiness in our lives. For some the repercussions were minor, for others they were great.

It’s been almost a year now since we lost our little Colby. We still don’t know exactly what happened. She just suddenly got sick, and the vet couldn’t tell us why. We said our goodbyes on May 4, 2020. She wasn’t the small, stout bulldog described in my book, but she was a sweet dog and very precious to me. I miss her.

For all who’ve lost loved ones and had their world shaken, I pray that God comforts and gives each of you peace. And should you find time to open my novel and enjoy an adventure, I hope that Tickner’s stout bulldog, Colby, brings warmth and a smile as you remember the good times and treasure the memories shared by those you love.