Mutts Life

As a mutt lover I’ve always resisted the urge to compensate for my dogs questionable lineage with a clever name.  But there are those who may not be so strong so here are 5 names from Greek philosophy for the thinking mans cross breed dog:

1. Socrates (470BC – 400BC): As one of the founders of western philosophy he should need little introduction from me.  Given the uncertainty associated with his life and views (the “socratic problem”) you might expect your dog to become something of an enigma. Brilliant and mysterious. Possible abbreviations: “Socs”, “tees”.
2. Zeno (330BC – 260BC): The founder of the stoic school of philosophy he placed a great deal of emphasis on living a life of virtue and in accordance with nature.  If your dog takes after his namesake he is likely to be a bit of a loner and of a fairly serious disposition. Possible abbreviations: “Zee”.
3. Diogenes: From roughly the same period, he was a cynic and believed that happiness could not be found in material luxury. As such he viewed poverty as a virtue (he lived in a tub).  By all accounts a true character (when asked by the emperor, Alexander the Great, if there was anything he could do for him he is said to have replied… “Yes. Stand to one side.  You’re blocking the sun”) so any dog carrying the moniker should have a healthy sense of rebellious humour.  Particularly since one of a number of possible causes of his death was an infected dog bite… Possible abbreviations: “D-O”, “Genie”.
4. Plato: Another who should need no introduction from me, he  founded the first institution of higher learning in the western world.  A student of Socrates (and from whose dialogues we have gleamed much about the life and beliefs of Socrates) you might expect any dog bearing the name to be quick to train and very influential. Possible Abbreviations: Why bother?
5. Antisthenes: Founder of the Cynic school of philosophy but perhaps not as influential as the big three of Socrates, Plato or Aristotle he makes this list as the son of a marriage between an Athenian father and a foreign mother (she was Thracian).  What better link to todays X breed pup? Possible Abbreviations: “Thenes”, “Ants”

What do you think of these names?  Any suggestions of your own?