PetStack First Edition

The nickname issue - because what pet has only one name?!

Welcome to the inaugural issue of PetStack – a publication that celebrates the cornucopia of animals that bring joy to our lives! Not just the smiling pups featured in Nur Nadar’s WoofStack (check them out!) or the cats lounging  around in Scott Ko’s Floofstack (I dare you to not look!) but also the guinea pigs, chickens, horses, hamsters, fish, birds, and other furry, feathered, scaled, and slithering family members.

I say “family” because, yes, pets are family. Let’s give them their due!

Send a direct message (DM) to Cindy Ojczyk on Substack or subscribe to the Petstack newsletter then respond via email. Please send 3 to 6 pictures along with a few lines describing your featured pet(s). Need more detail? See the PetStack About page.

To kick-off this first edition of PetStack, I’m sharing the many faces that enhance my life. My husband and I raised animal-loving kids who now have their own menageries. He hates it when they call him “grand-paw.” I wish I had a moniker of such quick and worthy distinction. Nevertheless, I buy presents for and am a pet parent to Shiloh and Checkers and a pet grandparent to Clyde, Reggie, Chili, Beretta, Cai, Ralphie, Little Herbert, Sally, and Spootie. Their faces are below, along with the myriad of “pet” names they’ve acquired as our love and connection grows.

The first up is Shiloh. She came to us at age five, more like a puppy, fixated on tennis balls and swimming. This lover of all things fruit and vegetables responds to Shiloh Girl, Shi Girl, Shi, Doodlebug, Dolly Doodles, Beautiful Girl, Sister.

Checkers is a unique sort of fella that will out-pace a Ferarri if you call him Chex, Chexie, Rambo, Smudge, Little Man, or Mr. Mini Man if your intent is to offer a treat.

Clyde won the lottery when he was adopted by my daughter and son-in-law. He is now the CEO of McCoy Seed, overseeing all farm operations and answering to Clydie Clyde, Clippy, Clump, Plumper, Mouse, and Son.

Reggie chose my daughter by climbing onto her shoulder during a volunteer shift at the local humane society. A lap is his best friend, especially if you call him Reginald, Randy, Randall Norman, Gorbel, Gorbler, or Perfect Boy.

Chili, Chillers, Chil, Choobis, Tutu Bitsy, and Demon Pig are just a few of the many monikers of this joker who loves to drink water from the kitchen faucet. She is not one to sit on a lap but rather where you don’t want her to be.

Beretta Big Horse became my daughter’s companion when the little filly was left at a stable by a man with too many horses. A year later he returned to retrieve her, saw how well she was living, and left her in my daughter’s care!

Cai, registered as Strait Boo Hoo, was given to my daughter when she was the only one to whom the horse would respond. She’s not fond of my rookie riding skills and tests my patience with every ride.

Ralphie, or Ralphiroo, lives true to his stubborn donkey heritage. There’s no leading this equine to water, but he will gladly canter to catch up with the herd.

Little Herbert had a big name for a little guy that found himself alone at 5 weeks old. He lost an eye to infection and all his hair to ring worm but grew to be a healthy Herb, Herbie, Gerty, Gerby, Gerbert, Gerbathyst, Gerty Good Boy, Gertson, Uncle Gerty, Gerty Gay Boy.

Princess Sally Sprinkle McGlitterkitten found a new home the day after the shelter cat was my soon-to-be veterinarian daughter’s first surgery patient. She’s otherwise known as Glitter, Glibby, Glibbertino, Globo, Sally Stinkums, Sally Sweetums, Baby, Tiny Girl, and The Ripper for her paper shredding prowess.

Guiseppe Spooky Mischief Kitty is a dapper man who gladly responds to Spootie, Tootie McBooty, Tootie McBean Head, Rudy Two Snacks, Spuchi, Scootismo, Scooty Doo, Spoocheesy, Peppino, and Hoodie Hoo. Phew! So many nicknames!

How many “pet names” does your pet have? Leave the number and their names in the comments below. Better yet, share their pictures and their stories. Send me a DM or reply to my subscriber’s email.

For more in-depth stories about animals and how they enhance our lives, visit Like People, Like Pets.

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