A woman has taken to social media to share how her sister wants her to change her dog’s name after four years because she doesn’t want her newborn son to have the same name as a pet
A woman has slammed her sister for ordering her to change her dog’s name so she can give it to her newborn son. The 26-year-old explained how she adopted a golden retriever, named Charlie, four years ago – and he quickly became her “best buddy”.
Despite everyone being familiar with Charlie’s name, her sister has suddenly turned around and asked her to change it. She said on Reddit: “My sister, Emily, 29F, recently had her first child – a baby boy. She and her husband named him Charlie.
“At first, I thought it was funny and didn’t really think much of it. But then Emily pulled me aside during a family gathering and said it was ‘confusing and disrespectful’ for me to keep calling my dog Charlie now that her son has the same name. She asked me to rename my dog.”
Confused, she explained how changing his name wouldn’t make any logical sense as Charlie knows and responds to the moniker. She said: “I told her no. Charlie has been his name for four years; he knows it, responds to it, and it’s on all his paperwork. Changing it would be weird for him and for me.
“She got really upset and said it’s not fair for her son to ‘share’ a name with a dog, especially in family settings. She thinks it’ll lead to jokes and confusion as her son grows up.” Her reluctance to change her dog’s name sparked a debate in the family, with her dad taking her side but her mum taking her sister’s.
She added: “My parents have weighed in, and while my dad says it’s ridiculous to expect me to change my dog’s name, my mum says I should ‘just consider it’ to keep the peace. Now Emily’s barely speaking to me, and a few family members think I’m being stubborn. I have no idea how I am in the wrong here. The worlds gone crazy.
“I love my dog, and I didn’t name him to spite anyone. I also think it’s not my fault they chose a name already in use in the family.” Wanting to know whether she’s in the wrong for refusing a name change, she has taken to social media to ask users for their thoughts.
In response, one user said: “I would start calling her kid Charlie 2. Her request is absurd. No rational person would ask that.” Another user added: “Suggest that she changes her son’s name to Spot or Rover.” A third user said: “Adopt a second dog, name it Emily.”
