Dogged Determination

Heartwarming story of canine survival on the Beeb (as well as numerous “and finally...” sections of broadcast news bulletins) the other day, where a dog swam five miles through shark-infested waters in Australia after falling off a boat, was marooned on a semi-inhabited island where it lived a feral existence for months, subsisting on a diet of baby goats, before being finally reunited with its owner. Aaaah…

The oddest thing about the story though is not the fact that the dog failed to be shark bait, but that its name is Sophie Tucker. Apparently it was named after a US entertainer from the 1920s.

Most normal people, if they were going to name a pet after their favourite burlesque/vaudeville artiste, would opt for a first name only; dogs aren’t usually given surnames. Or if they are, they’re usually the same as the owner's.

"She surprised us all," said owner Jan Griffith (probably not named after anyone). "We wish she could talk, we truly do."

Talking would be a start. I imagine the piano-playing and showtunes would come later.