31/08/2026
EDDIE – THE RESCUE DOG
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Hello Everyone
Eddie here!
Did you know that my name has not always been Eddie? When I lived in Orange Farm, my owner and others used to shout, Ntja, Dog, Inja or the very worst, VOETSAK Brak! I soon realized most of the dogs on the dump never had their own names. It was terrible.
Then … when Glenda rescued me, she gave me my very own name – EDDIE. It had such a soothing tone and made me feel special. When Shelagh and Genevieve decided to adopt me, Julie told them they could change my name if they wanted to. They said that if Eddie was my name, Eddie it would be!
Before I moved in, Genevieve used to say in a joke that I was once Eddie, Duke of Orange Farm, soon to become Eddie, Prince of Pretoria. However, she soon dropped that once I had moved in because I wasn’t into royalty, which became so evident when I helped myself to someone’s old cooked macaroni in their garbage, which was all over the street because of a municipal strike.
Shelagh used to call her beloved little Odie, My Baby and said she could never call another dog that term of endearment. Guess what? Within one hour of being adopted, I was Shelagh’s Baby! I am also Shelagh’s Baby Boy, My Darling and My Doggy. I feel so special. However, if I am being naughty, then Shelagh stands still, looks at me and says firmly, Eddie, stop! It is as though I am a pupil in her class at school.
My Auntie Pat calls me Edward. I am not sure why she is so formal. She told Shelagh’s family that she used to call Odie, Nephew and wanted to call me something else. I am rather puzzled about this because I am Shelagh’s dog and Auntie Pat is Shelagh’s sister. Therefore, I must also be her nephew. However, I felt like a million dollars when I found out that Edward means guardian or protector.
Genevieve also has a few special names she calls me. When I am not Eddie, I am Buddy. She used to call Odie, Skelm because she said he stole her heart. However, she calls me Buddy because not only did I steal her heart, but we are just such good playmates. We play amazing games. Sometimes, when we are having a conversation, she calls me Little Guy or Big Boy.
All these names have made me realise that humans are supposed to be so intelligent. Yet, dogs must be more intelligent because we understand more human language than they understand bark.
I am so grateful to Glenda for giving me such a lovely name and especially for choosing the right people to adopt me.
Until next time,
Eddie, aka My Baby, Buddy and Edward
