Everyone Needs a Dog Named After a Game Character

Today’s been a bit of a rough day. Right now the heat in the city is heavy and oppressive with the promise of bad thunderstorms. But it was sunny out when my German shepherd, Rush, made the inevitable vet visit that meets all good dogs at the end of the road.

I won’t say much for fear of getting too cheesy or mushy, but the event has led me to think about this and that.

Rush went peacefully and gracefully, though he peed himself a bit at the end. That just shows what a good, benign dog he was. When I go, I plan to warn the doctor to have an offering for the screaming demons that are going to leap out my mouth.

He was thirteen, which is a pretty fantastic lifespan for a dog of a hundred and twenty pounds.

The most important thing anyone can do for their loving dog is to love them back with equal ferocity. But I think people underestimate the awesomeness of a cool name. I still work with dogs on a regular basis and creativity is rare: “Casey” and “Bailey” gets old very fast. The most unique name I’ve ever come across in my work was a Boston terrier dubbed “Goku Super Saiyan 3.”

Okay, you should be unique and practical.

This is where video games come in handy. Rush, needless to say, was named after the Blue Bomber’s trusty robo-canine. I’ve also had pet rats named Samus and Ridley, and my cats are Dante and Cammy.

(Pet rats are incredible by the way, give them a try. As a pet I mean, not an appetizer.)

My next dog? Either Edgeworth or Super Joe.

My Rush has earned retirement in doggie heaven, but it’s strange that today would be the same day that rumours of Mega Man 9 solidify into fact. Looks like flesh-and-blood Rush will be succeeded by his namesake. That’s…almost like being your own grandpa, I suppose.

(Image copyright Capcom)