Tagged by Honey

Hi everyone!  I was tagged by my pal, Honey, to play two games.  The first is to tell the origin of my name and how it came to be mine.  Well, my Dad actually came up with the name Nala although he says he didn't get it from the Lion King movie which is what Mom asked him the first time he told her of the name. :)  He seemed very disturbed by this Disney connection, but was willing to overlook the fact that people may associate my name with that.  So, just to be CLEAR...my name was not derived from any Disney movies! ;)  Anyway, so Dad picked it out and Mom agreed that it would be a very nice name for me.  The origin is African which is only fitting as I am an African breed.  The meaning of the name varies depending on what you read.  Originally, we read that it meant 'African King' although Mom and Dad said they must of meant 'African Queen', obviously. ;)  And I must say that I am the QUEEN around here!  Another meaning I just read was 'successful', and I would like to think that I am successful, at getting treats that is! BOL!  Anyway, that is how I came to be known as Nala.

Now onto the second game which is called All About Me.

THE BASICS

1.) Name and Age:

Nala ~ 4 years old

2.) Breed:

Rhodesian Ridgeback ~ We are famed lion hunters from Africa and have a distinct ridge on our backs that seems to be seen as a Mohawk by punk children. :)  The hair really just grows in the opposite direction...we do not get our hair cut that way.

3.) Nickname(s):

Nals, Nali, Nala Wala, Sweet Pea, Baby Dog, Nalster


4.) Where’d ya come from?

I was born in a small town named Yacolt, WA at a place called ApacheRidge Ranch.  It was about a four hour drive for my humans to come pick me up, and they took me home when I was 9 weeks old.

FAVORITES

1.) Toy:

I don't really have a favorite toy, but at the moment I would have to say my yellow fuzzy guy I got from my brother, Remi, for my birthday and Easter!

2.) Snack:

Cheese, peanut butter, & frozen yogurt cubes


3.) Human person:

Well, most of the time I'm a Momma's girl.  I like to be close to Mom and know what she's doing.  She's the one who mostly takes me to play with my doggie friends so I like to be close by in case I need to be prepared to go. :)  However, at night I can't always be by Mom because she is a bit of a restless sleeper so most of the time I stick close to Dad.  I know he will protect me from Mom's crazy sleeping habits. :)

FUNNY STUFF

1.) Worst habit:

Hmmmm, probably going to the back door and knocking on it with my paw to be let out when really I don't need to go out.  Mom or Dad come and let me out and then I walk in a circle and come straight back to the door to be let in.  Once they let me back in, I make a beeline for the treat jar because I know when I come in from going potty I get a treat.  Unfortunately this little trick doesn't work if I don't go potty, but it doesn't stop me from trying! BOL!


2.) Most embarrassing moment:

Just recently when Mom and Dad's friend, Scott, was over I ran right into the screen on our back door.  Scott let me out, but the light wasn't turned on so I couldn't see the black screen.  This has happened once before, but Mom realized it must have been due to no light so she turns the light on for me but Scott didn't know that.  It was quite embarrassing to do that in front of our friends. :) I didn't get hurt...just a bit shocked is all.

3.) Family dynamic (this is a question for those of you with more than one animal in the house. i.e. who is alpha? who is the cuddler? who is the naughty one? etc. I just want to know how you fit into the family!)

Ok, technically, we are ALL animals here so I am going to answer for Mom and Dad too.  Dad would say, it's him as the Alpha, me second, and Mom third. :) BOL!  Mom would say it's me first and that she and Dad take turns going between second and third.  I say it's ME all the way!  I mean, I have these people wrapped around my paw.  Ok seriously, although I do manipulate and get my way ALOT I also can be submissive and I know the rules of the house.  As far as who is the cuddler...it's definitely Mom.  I only cuddle when it suits me.  Naughty...me. NEVER! ;)

4.) Your humans’ FAVORITE thing about you!

My Mom and Dad both love my playful spirit.  People still ask if I am a puppy which may be alarming to some doggie owners out there but Mom and Dad take it as a great compliment. :)  They say it's because I'm so happy and bouncy, and they LOVE that my "puppy" spirit has lasted well past puppyhood.

Well, I have completed my two games.  Thanks for tagging me Honey! :)