Finding a Dharma Friendly name for your next canine life companion

I'm getting a new puppy in a couple months - this is him at a couple days old, and I was thinking that I'd like to get him a good dharmic name because he is going to be perfect from birth - he's never going to encounter any of the fear, or anxiety or hurt that 80% of dogs who come into the world in North America face because only 20% of dogs born here live out their days in the first home they were born into 80% of dogs end up in the rescue system - mostly through no fault of their own - and this little puppy is never going to be part of that statistic - he's going to be completely loved, protected and coddled from the moment he was born until he is old, and his body has told him that it's time to go onto it's next adventure.

So I did a google search and a couple good websites showed up naming dogs with dharmic names that I thought I'd share here.

One is from a blog called "Enlightenment for the dear animals" and they have a blog called "Giving Dharma names to animals" and it's very good - it gives the dharma name and it's english meaning - so it's a good one to check out.

Then from the Breeders group "lowchensaustralia.com" they also have a page at http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/names/tibetan.htm that gives a dharma name and it's english meaning - another good page to check

Between those 2 pages I think you will find a meaningful name for your next canine life companion that will hopefully be with you for the next 15-25 years.

This was Buttercup in her 21st year

I just lost my heart dog of 21 years in October and it is taking me a long time to get over - she was the reason I lived and breathed - I am hoping that this little guy will dull the pain a little bit - the one who left me was a little poodle like this new one will be - I am hoping he will live as long as my little Buttercup did.  If so we will both have an amazing life together and this little sentient being will have lots of opportunities to hear the dharma and hopefully come back next as a fabulous highly evolved human being :)

Nepal has a day dedicated to thanking them for being our friends

Diwali, one of the great celebrations in the Hindu calendar, is a five-day autumn festival generally known as the festival of lights.
In Nepal, Diwali is called Tihar. Similar to other Diwali observances, lamps are lit at night during Tihar. 

The festival of lights celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of knowledge over ignorance, and the dissolution of barriers that separate humans from authentic experience of the world. Nepalese Hinduism is unique in dedicating the second day of Tihar, Kukur Tihar, to the worship of dogs. Dogs are especially important to Nepal’s Hindu practitioners.


During day two of Tihar, Kukur Tihar, the role of dogs in human life and throughout history is celebrated.

During Tihar, each day is devoted to a honoring a different concept or entity: crows, dogs, cows, oxen, and fraternal relationships, respectively. On the second day, Kukur Tihar, all dogs are recognized, honored, and worshiped. 

What forms does this worship take? During Kukur Tihar, the mythological and real relationships between humans and dogs constitute the day’s major focus. A garland of flowers is draped around the neck of every dog; not only those with homes, but strays as well.

This floral necklace, called a malla, is a mark of respect and dignity. It announces the wearer as important, and symbolizes the prayers that go with the dog. On Kukur Tihar, a red mark is applied to the forehead of each dog. In Nepal, this mark is called the tika, a paste made from abir — a red dye powder — along with rice and yogurt.

The tika is applied in a single stroke on the forehead upward from the eyes. Like the malla that garlands the neck, the red tika marks the dog as both a devotee of the righteous path and as an object of devotion. The tika imbues the dog with an air of sacredness and acts as a blessing to those who encounter the dog during Kukur Tihar. 

On the first day of Diwali, Kaag Tihar, food is arrayed on the roofs of homes as offerings to crows. 

On the second day, food offerings are put out for dogs in the home, as well as for strays in the streets. These food offerings take a variety of forms. Depending on the celebrant, the dog’s treats may include milk, eggs, meat, or high-quality dog food. 

Some may even offer dogs a bit of sel roti, a deep-fried confection similar to a donut. This is a day when dogs have the best of everything. 

 This post was taken from the page -  http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/diwali-dogs-festival-of-lights-nepal-kukur-tihar