What's In A Name?

The kids and I were driving into town this morning when our four year old daughter said, "Everyone should have a name."

That was it, there had been no conversation leading up to it and after her proclamation she resumed silently listening to the Veggie Tales CD that was playing.  But it got me thinking.  Obviously, as her comment hints, our kids are a big reason why every animal on our farm has a name.  And yes, I mean EVERY animal.  Not just pets, but each goat, chicken, barn cat and more.  It may sound silly, but I'll admit that I do enjoy it and secretly wonder if things would be any different even if we had no children.

Names can mean a lot, especially with animals.  Some serve as titles, such as Indiana Jones our fearless exploring beagle.  Some are earned and conferred in the manner of a trophy, like in the case of the legendary half grown kitten who caught eight mice in the course of an evening earning herself the name of "Xena Warrior Princess".  The word prophetic might describe the names of Hansel and Gretel our feeder pigs (named after the fairy tale, in which the evil witch locks up the two kids in order to fatten them up and eat them.) 

Some can serve as living history lessons such as the batch of 12 does purchased together that we named after the wives of the first 12 presidents, giving us a chance to learn, in order, not only the first 12 First Ladies, but the first dozen Presidents themselves.

The 4 year old also played a part in the naming of the few kids we had born this past December.  She had requested that the next buckling born be named Harold (I don't know why.)  So, when triplets were born a few days before Christmas they were named, "Hark, Harold and Angel"  (as in, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing.")  The other kids born at that time tout names such as Joy and Snowflake. 

Again, I know this must sound ridiculous.  I really do.  But I appreciate knowing our animals on a personal level.  I believe it helps us in our attempts toward good husbandry and enables us to more quickly recognize when an animal in our charge is acting "off".  And, in turn, I believe that allows us to serve our customers with more knowledgable service and truly stand behind the sale of animals that leave our farm.

So, later this year when all of the goat kids are on the ground and our numbers hover near the triple digits, I can almost guarantee that with the help of a few preschoolers we will be able to point out each one in the herd of bouncing caprine chaos by name.

But, we'll continue to ear tag just in case!