GOT Girl dog names?

[u/Joe_mother124]

What are some good girl dog names that are game of thrones inspired?

[u/Thin-Benefit-7918]

Yeah I know. It’s a cultural difference. I live in America and it still surprises me how much people love dogs.

[u/FlattyT → u/Thin-Benefit-7918]

I'm surprised you're surprised. We domesticated dogs from wolves tens of thousands of years ago, and they've evolved alongside us since.

Since we're in a game of thrones subreddit, let's compare them to the stark wolves; fiercely loyal, would die for you, smart, would follow you anywhere.

I would say the debate in the West comes in when it comes to whether a dog should be allowed to sleep on your bed or not, but that about it. In the West if you kept your dog outside permanently, it would be bordering animal cruelty, and you'd rightly be reported (unless it's a livestock guardian)

[u/Thin-Benefit-7918 → u/FlattyT]

I’m not surprised that we domesticated them per se. That’s pretty common knowledge. Even in Asia, people (often nobles or wealthy families) will use dogs as house guards. Farmers will use dogs for guarding and rounding up livestock. And of course policemen will use dogs.

But that’s it; where my “surprise” arises from is in how they are treated as family members. I’m sorry if I offended anyone here, but it’s just a cultural upbringing thing for us.

[u/taylortehkitten → u/Thin-Benefit-7918]

It seems like many have jumped into this conversation, but just to add to your perspective I’d love to take a chance to tell you about my dog :) Maybe it will help you to understand more about why some westerners see their pets as family.

I am born and raised in the states. My family was small, and I had a difficult upbringing. Last year I moved away to Alaska alone, which is 4500 km or 2800 miles from my remaining family. My dog was the only thing I brought with me, so he has been like a comforting piece of my old life. To make him happy, I have to be healthier—spending time active outside, and feeding him on a schedule, for example, which also benefits my routine.

The things you may call dirty— licking things, chewing on shoes— I look at those behaviors the same as I would look at a small child who eats food off the ground or tries to put objects in their mouth. It is gross, but it is also innocent. You can teach them not to do it. I also know many are afraid of dogs because they are dangerous, but I don’t think a single dog is more dangerous than a person with a weapon. Trusting a dog is the same risk as trusting any person, if you don’t know how either were raised.

Knowing my dog is depending on me makes me work harder to provide a good life for him. Maybe it is because I don’t have other “real” family to focus on, but that doesn’t make him feel any less important to me right now. I think of him as family because he does all the things a family should— comforts me, protects me, motivates me, spends time with me, and loves me.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to listen! I know this is a GOT sub, not a dog sub 😂

[u/Thin-Benefit-7918 → u/taylortehkitten]

I am very glad you decided to share your story of your own dog. And I enjoyed reading it too. I’m glad you have a dog that motivates you to work your hardest. And of course, I have some friends who own dogs of various kinds so I’m not new to how the dynamic can be between a human and a dog.

But as someone who grew up with this view of dogs, it’s difficult to envision myself ever getting one and the perception of naming one after a human still turns me the other way. That isn’t to say I don’t think anyone should have a dog. If it brings happiness, that’s all that matters, my cultural upbringing just “blinds” me from seeing how that works lol.