A Horse By Any Other Name

Rachel Alexandra has won the Preakness, becoming only the fifth filly to win in that race's history.

This got me thinking about the names of racehorses: Secretariat, Seabiscuit, Street Sense.  Interestingly, regulations state that no horse's name may contain more than 18 letters.

In contrast, American Kennel Club rules state that no two purebred dogs may have the same name - resulting in long and colorful names such as "Champion Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry."   I guess "Spot" was already taken.

Image: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us

Yes, you probably look like your dog

Apparently people tend to pick out dogs that look like them. That would certainly explain how and why pets often become like children to many people.

People who are physically small tend to get dogs on the smaller side while bigger people get bigger dogs.

First Dog Search Narrowed Considerably

In a selection process that's generating more attention than the search for Commerce Secretary, Michelle Obama has said that they've decided to go with a Portuguese Water Dog (left) which looks sort of like a poodle. Like poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs don't shed, a consideration for Malia Obama, who is allergic to dogs.

Jimmy Orr at Christian Science Monitor notes that "this breed is known not only for having webbed feet and being a favorite of Jacques Cousteau, but they usually pay their taxes on time and rarely back out at the last minute."

Of the various hypoallergenic dogs they might have chosen from, I rather wish they'd gone with a Pomeranian. So cute.

(pictured: a Pomeranian puppy. Aww.)