What's in a Name?

So we have the puppy, the kennel, the collar, leash, toys, treats, and new boxer books. Next on our checklist is a name! We've brainstormed lots of boy puppy names -- everything from Mr. Paws to Rocky to Cannon -- but needed to meet our puppy before making a final choice.

The boys began our search by throwing out the names belonging to some of their favorite games. This gave us choices like Pikachu, Wartortle, Pidgeotto, and Dragonite (from Pokemon) and Bakugan names like Tuskor, Griffon, Juggernoid, and Terrorclaw.

As they continued to shout out crazy names, I picked up on the name "Leonidas." I asked them about this name (a dragon Bakugan that happened to be one of their favorites). I liked this name so we looked it up online (to ensure there were no negative connotations or satanic worship links) and found that it was also the name of a King of Sparta! We even found this summary of the movie "300":

In the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy.

Okay, so the concepts of valor and courage and democracy were appealing to us ... we were sold! The boys had picked "Leonidas" -- their favorite Bakugan and Hubby and I like it for its King of Sparta reference -- so either way, he's Leo!

Simba ... now officially "Simba Leonidas" aka Leo ... had a good night last night. He loved playing with the kids and checking out his new home. He slept in a kennel in our room and he and I visited every couple of hours through the night so he could go potty.

Our older dog, Shadow, has been wonderful with him, already 'teaching' him how to potty in the grass. He definitely missed his brothers and sisters last night -- if the brief howling was any indication -- but was able to sleep pretty well besides. It's Day One of the Puppy Chronicles and we're loving it!