Showing posts with label Dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dogs. Show all posts

Friday, 16 October 2026

Britain's top 20 pet names revealed - so, did YOUR furry friend make the cut?

 By RUTH STAINER, REPORTER

The nation's top 20 most popular pet names have been revealed – with some surprisingly modern monikers making the cut in new research.

Milo took home the top spot for males with 22,300 registrations, while Luna was crowned the most beloved female pet name in Britain with 31,900, according to the findings.

Teddy featured as the second most popular male name across the country, with 20,200 registrations, while Bella accumulated 30,400 registrations. 

The research, which showcased a slight shift from the more traditional names, were calculated by vet practice Inspiring Vet Care in collaboration with the RSPCA, who accounted for which names had been most commonly registered at their practices. 

Trendy names such as Willow and Coco ranked respectively eight and tenth in the list of female names, while the likes of Buddy and Daisy suggested that some more traditional monikers still reign supreme among pet owners.

However, while Poppy previously proved to be the most popular name for dogs according to data by pet insurer Petgevity, released in January, the latest findings suggested it had slightly fallen out of favour – coming in as the third most popular. 

Archie and Monty ranked as the least popular boy names for British pets, while floral names proved favourable – with Rosie, Daisy and Poppy making up a third of the female list. 

Richard Hooker, country medical director for inspiring vet care, said: 'Although they haven't hit the top 10 yet we're seeing lots of pets named after England footballers after their World Cup efforts. And, of course we see plenty of Taylors, Arianas and Sabrinas.'

The nation's top 20 most popular pet names have been revealed - with some surprisingly modern monikers making the cut in new research by the RSPCA

The nation's top 20 most popular pet names have been revealed - with some surprisingly modern monikers making the cut in new research by the RSPCA

It comes after Petgevity's data, released in January, revealed that naming trends are shifting away from traditional pet names – with clear distinctions between cats and dogs.

Petgevity registered just four Rovers and two Fidos in 2025, while there was only one Lassie in the whole of the UK.

Likewise, once common cat names such as Marmalade and Whiskers have all but vanished.

Out of the 5,100 cats registered last year, only 11 were named Tabby and five were called Spot.

A spokesman from Petgevity said: 'Our figures have shown a real shift in animal names, with only a handful of older animals keeping some of the classics alive.

'You're much more likely to see a Luna or a Bella these days, than a Mittens or a Felix – names that are also common among human kids.'

Today, almost two-thirds of all people say that social media is a big influence on pet naming choices, according to a survey of 2,000 pet owners.

Likewise, nearly a quarter of all pet owners say they have named an animal after a fictional character from a film, while the same amount say they have done so based on a TV show.

However, as names from film and television become more popular, Petgevity cautions new owners against choosing a name they might later find embarrassing.

Of those pet owners surveyed, just 37 per cent said they thought about whether their pet's name might be embarrassing to tell people or call out at the vet.

The spokesman said: 'You do hear some funny stories of people having to mumble the names of their pets to the vet, so they don't get embarrassed.

'Think "Lord Volde–tort" for a tortoise, or anything else you may regret letting your six–year–old be in charge of.'

The most popular male pet names 

1. Milo

2. Teddy

3. Alfie

4. Charlie

5. Buddy

6. Max

7. Oscar

8. Bailey

9. Archie

10. Monty

The most popular female pet names 

1. Luna 

2. Bella

3. Poppy

4. Daisy

5. Lola

6. Molly

7. Rosie

8. Willow

9. Ruby

10. Coco

Tuesday, 6 October 2026

Love

 



"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."
~ Lao Tzu
"If you love a flower, don’t pick it up. Because if you pick it up, it dies and it ceases to be what you love. So if you love a flower, let it be. Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation."
~ Osho
Have a happy day!
Photo credit: Source Unknown 💕



Happy Hour


 

"Happy Hour" by Lisa Finch



Squirrels

 





Wednesday, 30 September 2026

What your dog breed says about you: As Labour minister claims black labradors are part of a 'far-Right fantasy', how are people judging your beloved pet?

 By MAANYA SACHDEVA, ASSOCIATE LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Labour's nature minister Jenny Riddell-Carpenter risked alienating a nation of dog lovers when she suggested black labradors are part of a 'far-Right fantasy' that no longer exists. 

In fact, labradors are the most popular breed in the country – last year becoming the most registered dog in the country with nearly 30,000 additions to the Royal Kennel Club's records. 

'It's the typical, British middle-class dog,' etiquette expert Julius Smith told the Daily Mail, adding their owners are more likely to be outdoor-loving nature enthusiasts than radical Right-wingers.

Royal dog lovers such as the late Queen Elizabeth and even Queen Victoria have given dachshunds and corgis a distinct air of nobility, while chihuahuas symbolise all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood considering Paris Hilton and Demi Moore are known to favour the breed. 

Meanwhile, the labradoodle has come to represent Britain's 'modern middle-class' while the 'tremendously loyal Staffie' belongs with 'straightforward' owners who are wary of dog trends. 

So, if Ms Riddell-Carpenter's assessment was off the mark, what does your favourite dog breed say about your standing in British society today? 

Queen Elizabeth II walking some of her beloved corgis at the Windsor Horse Trials in 1980

Queen Elizabeth II walking some of her beloved corgis at the Windsor Horse Trials in 1980

Monty Don with his beloved golden retriever Ned at the Chelsea Flower Show last year

Monty Don with his beloved golden retriever Ned at the Chelsea Flower Show last year

Labrador

There is nothing more iconic than a labrador rolling around in the mud, jumping into ponds and then happily bringing half the countryside back into the house with it.

Julius told the Daily Mail the breed is 'the typical, British middle-class dog' and its owner is likely to 'be outdoorsy, practical and not terribly precious about a bit of mud'.

'I picture wellington boots by the back door, country walks at the weekend and a labrador taking up most of the boot of the family car,' the etiquette expert added. 

'They are friendly, dependable and generally delighted to see everybody, and I suspect labrador owners like to think they possess rather similar qualities.' 

Chihuahua 

Considering Paris Hilton is one of the most famous chihuahua owners in the world, it's difficult to associate the breed with anything other than what Mr Smith calls the 'bling class'. 

He said: 'I would put the chihuahua firmly in "the bling class". I tend to associate them with ladies in their late 20s and 30s who enjoy fashion, accessories and being noticed.

'You often see these little dogs dressed up almost as much as their owners, and I sometimes wonder whether people buy them partly as an accessory rather than simply as a dog.' 

Mr Smith said the breed can also become extremely attached to one person and rather jealous when anybody else demands their owner's attention. 

'If you own a chihuahua, I suspect you enjoy making an entrance and don't particularly mind being noticed.' 

Dachshund 

'The dachshund has become a very upper-middle-class dog in my eyes,' Mr Smith suggested. 'I see an extraordinary number of young couples with them. I suspect part of the attraction is their size. You don't need an enormous house or acres of land, so they fit rather neatly into a comfortable urban lifestyle.' 

Stars including Adele, Fergie and Emilia Clarke all dote on the breed, while Queen Victoria was among the first owners of dachshunds in the UK after they arrived from Germany in 1840. 

'Their owners strike me as stylish, considered people who like nice things but also think practically about how a dog will fit into their lives,' Mr Smith analysed the typical dachshund owner.  

However, he cautioned that anyone choosing a dachshund because it happens to look fashionable 'must remember that its distinctive shape can bring health problems'. 

David Beckham, 49, with his four dogs at his £10million countryside home in the Cotswolds on Sunday

David Beckham, 49, with his four dogs at his £10million countryside home in the Cotswolds on Sunday

Music mogul Simon Cowell on holiday with his Yorkshire Terriers, Squiddly and Diddly

Music mogul Simon Cowell on holiday with his Yorkshire Terriers, Squiddly and Diddly

Staffordshire bull terrier 

The Staffordshire bull terrier (the staffie) has traditionally been associated with the working classes and 'unfortunately has acquired a rather tough reputation over the years, often because of certain owners' rather than the dogs themselves, said Mr Smith. 

In reality, they can be tremendously loyal, friendly and affectionate family dogs that are known for forming very strong bonds with their owners. 

'I associate their owners with being straightforward and loyal, with less of an interest in having a trendy or fashionable dog,' he suggested. 'There is something quite honest about the staffie. What you see is very much what you get.'

Old English sheepdog 

Perhaps it is because of those 'wonderful' old Dulux advertisements, but the old English sheepdog immediately evokes a picture of country life.

'I would put its owner among the country middle classes. I picture somebody with plenty of space, muddy boots and perhaps a slightly chaotic household,' he said. 

'You would have to be fairly relaxed to own one. They are large, shaggy dogs that require considerable looking after, so I suspect their owners are good-natured, outdoorsy and perhaps just a little scatterbrained themselves. 

This is not the dog for somebody who panics at the sight of muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor, Mr Smith declared. 

Yorkshire terrier

The Yorkshire terrier has made quite an extraordinary journey through the British class system, according to the former royal butler.  

'They were once proper working dogs, bred to catch rats, whereas today you are far more likely to find one sitting comfortably on somebody's lap,' Mr Smith said. 'I still associate them with Britain's traditional working classes, although they have certainly become much more pampered over the years.' 

He speculated their owners tend to want companionship above everything else, adding: 'They like having their dog close, fussing over it and treating it as another member of the family. 

'There is something rather amusing about such a tough little working dog becoming one of Britain's great lap dogs.'

Cavalier King Charles spaniel

The cavalier King Charles spaniel is decidedly upper-middle class, with perhaps a little aspiration towards the upper classes. Even the name sounds rather grand, Mr Smith pointed out.  

The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman with her beloved cavalier King Charles spaniel, Skip

The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman with her beloved cavalier King Charles spaniel, Skip

'They have become something of a status symbol. They are beautiful, traditional-looking dogs with an unmistakably aristocratic association, and I suspect some owners rather enjoy that,' he added. 

'Their owners strike me as people who appreciate tradition, beautiful things and a certain polished appearance. 

'There may even be a little element of Keeping Up with the Joneses about it. If somebody in the neighbourhood arrives with a beautiful cavalier, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if another appears six months later.' 

Labradoodle

If there is one dog that represents the modern British middle classes, it may well be the labradoodle. 

'I associate them with comfortable family homes, children, muddy country walks and a reasonably large car,' Mr Smith told this paper. 'Their owners want something friendly and suitable for family life, but I think there is also an element of following what has become fashionable.

'They have certainly become something of a status symbol over time. They are also wonderfully scruffy characters and have a habit of taking over the house. 

'You may think you own the labradoodle when it first arrives, but give it six months, and you may discover the dog owns you.'

Corgi 

It is almost impossible to see a corgi in Britain without immediately thinking of the late Queen Elizabeth. 

'That association is so strong that I suspect anyone walking a corgi enjoys, consciously or otherwise, a little of that reflected royal glow,' Mr Smith said, crowning the breed the 'ultimate upper-class dog'.   

He added: 'Their owners are likely to appreciate tradition, heritage and Britishness and perhaps enjoy doing things a little differently from everybody else. 

'Dare I say it, there may even be a tiny part of them that imagines themselves in that royal world when they take their corgi for a walk.' 


https://www.dailymail.com/lifestyle/article-16172215/What-dog-breed-says-you-Labour-minister-claims-black-labradors-Far-Right-fantasy-people-judging-beloved-pet.html





Tuesday, 15 September 2026

Aging

 


Follow Tio on Facebook -   https://www.facebook.com/dearuncletio

Dear Aging,
Mum has been looking at herself strangely lately.
She pulls at the corners of her eyes and studies the little lines around her mouth.
Sometimes she squeezes her thighs, which I do not understand at all.
I have never once considered squeezing mine.
They seem to be doing their job.
Sometimes she gets very quiet after.
I do not think she is surprised that faces change.
I think she is surprised to see hers changing.
Knowing something will happen and seeing that it has begun are two very different things.
And I am starting to think…
the mirror is only part of it.
The older humans get,
the more lives they carry inside them.
But somehow,
the less of them the world seems to see.
People ask Mum how old I am too.
When she tells them, they smile at the gray around my face.
They rub it with their thumbs and call me handsome.
Mum notices the lines around her own eyes and tries to pull them smooth.
I have not figured out why age becomes precious on a dog
and something to hide on a human.
The funny thing is, I do not feel particularly old anyway.
Yesterday I threw my goose across the room and attacked it like I had a personal vendetta.
I chase squirrels in the backyard even though I will never catch them.
How strange to grow older in somebody else’s eyes
while still feeling so much like yourself.
So Mum, you can look at the corners of your eyes if you need to.
You can miss a younger face sometimes, too.
Just know that while you look in the mirror and notice everything that is leaving,
I look at you and only notice that you are still here.
I would hate for us to waste a perfectly good afternoon.
Love,
Uncle Tio 🤎