Would it Be Ridiculous to Request they Keep His Name?

[GrungeEquestrian]

Well its about 99.9% sure where Oliver is going. Unfortunately, my boyfriend cannot take him, which he felt horrible about. His roommate decided on the last second that he didn't want a young kitten to pester his beloved cat and little dog...so we had to look at other options for homes.

The home he is probably going to is to a family who's daughter is on my younger sister's softball team. Nice family, already have two 12 year old sibling cats and a dachshund. They plan on fixing him and getting him all his vaccinations. They also declaw their cats, which I have never been a fan of unless they need it, for the fact that if they do get outside they cannot really defend themselves or hunt. But, he will be an indoor cat and these people plan on introducing him to their other cats slowly. If all goes as planned he will be leaving here in two weeks, when he is eight weeks old.

However, although my mom told them his name was Oliver, they were thinking of names. Which I knew would happen, but Oliver does know his name well. He is extremely people friendly being hand raised and when you call his name he comes at full speed. I asked my mom if when she talked to these people she could kind of hint at the fact that it would be nice if they kept his name, and she said that was too selfish. She wasn't thrilled that my sister and I named him in the first place. But he was so weak, I wanted him to have a name if he passed away.

Would it be too much to ask, if I asked (not demanded) that they keep his name? There is a huge chance that the most I ever hear about Oliver again is maybe some pictures, it would just be nice. But would it be too much to ask?

[WashingtonBay]

I think you should let them call him what they like... he'll learn a new name :) It's not that important. Most cats, come to "kitty kitty" more than their name anyway.

When I raised all those kittens two years ago I had names for all of them, and the new owners renamed them anyway. My names were better ;) but it's their kitten. :)

[Cat]

I know I would be a little put off if someone asked me to keep an animals name - especially one that young. He is young enough to learn a new name if they decide to go that route. Now if it was an older animal, then I could possibly see the reasoning for it.

And you can have them sign that contract - but I really hate to break it to you, there really isn't much legally binding in that contract. I'm sorry, but I had to deal with it when I was breeding and showing bengals. Its impossible to reinforce, but I hope for your sake that they will stick by their word.

[GrungeEquestrian]

I think you should let them call him what they like... he'll learn a new name It's not that important. Most cats, come to "kitty kitty" more than their name anyway.

When I raised all those kittens two years ago I had names for all of them, and the new owners renamed them anyway. My names were better but it's their kitten.
True, the important thing is that he will have a great home. Yeah, I think my big problem is that it is now finally hitting home they he will be leaving in two weeks. Not really the fact that he is getting a different name. This is the first time I've done something foster like this, and I didn't imagine in the beginning it would be this hard. I've bonded to that little guy, and I need to take these two weeks and start to detach myself.

And you can have them sign that contract - but I really hate to break it to you, there really isn't much legally binding in that contract.
True, it would just give me some peace of mind (even if its false). I'll probably just let them know that if they can't keep him I can take him 100 percent of the time. This really is just a huge step for me and him and I've gotten stressed out about it. I started to realize that he will probably have a forever home with them. They have kept their two cats for 12 years and are continuing to.

[JackieB]

I don't see any problem with just saying to them something like - "I couldn't be happier that he's going to a wonderful home. I know that he'll be delighted with his new life. If you don't mind me asking, could you keep Oliver in the list of names you are considering? I know it sounds silly, but I have really become attached to his name. Thanks for your consideration."

Then, you can let it go. He'll always be Oliver to you anyway. :)

[Petra]

I can imagine how hard it is to you. I'd be attached too. It's too bad you cannot keep him.

You know out of all the animals I ever had I have never kept their original names.
Crystal's name was Jug head, Max (my son's cat) was Samantha (he isn't even fixed) and Trigger was Zippy... no surprise I changed them lol.
Every one of them has learned the new name within days. Important is that they will give him a good home. He is really not going to care how they call him.

However you can always ask. It's not a big deal if you are nice about it. They may not want that name, but at least they will consider it. Oliver actually suits him very well. I think I'd keep that one. ;)

[vicklynn]

I like what JackieB said. Give it a try at least.

FYI, cats can and do hunt dew clawed.

I will miss Oliver. I hope you get plenty of pics before he leaves.
If it werent for that man, Bob I think his name is, Oliver would live here.
Darn man....LOL

[GrungeEquestrian]

Thanks guys so much for such great responses. I was able to sleep on this, and decided that I'm just going to tell them he does come to his name, but feel free to call him what they like. As Wbay put it and Cat, he is just a kitten and he'll know a new name. Plus this is their kitten, he was never really mine.

I think my problem mainly was that I was finally seeing reality that he would be leaving soon. I would love to keep Oliver, and so would the rest of my family excluding my dad. But it just can't happen. Although my dad isn't as allergic as he swears, I promised him he would not be staying. And breaking that promise could cause a lot of huge problems, and I would never have the chance to bring in a little kitten like Oliver home again.

JackieB: That would be a wonderful way in putting it. I'll remember for future use; thanks so much for your always great advice.

Petra: Yes, I think my real problem is it's hitting home that he is leaving soon. I don't blame you for changing their names. All the ones they have now seem to suit them better.

Vicklynn: Oh, I wish you could keep him. It would be so nice for him to go to a forum home where I could hear about him. My dad is the same way, as my older childhood pets are beginning to pass on my father said no on getting another. Which in his case I understand. I am the major one who takes care of them, and will be going off to college in a few months.

[JackieB]

JackieB: That would be a wonderful way in putting it. I'll remember for future use; thanks so much for your always great advice.


Thank you for your kind words.

[Cat]

JackieB - you always have a wonderful way of putting things.

[Fjords <3]

Personally, I don't like it when new owners change the names, but I'm kind of a hypocrite because I changed Angel's from Celeste :P I know how you feel though; Flash's new owner renamed him Big Boy, which I HATED, but there was nothing I could do about it. He learned his new name though, and so did Angel. Its not hard for animals to adjust to new names, especially when they're so young like Oliver is.

[Dakota Sunrise]

I think JackieB said it best.:) If you just mention it politely I don't think it's a big deal. Personally I really like the name Oliver and would definitely keep it if I were them. Which I'm not. But if I was.:p ;)

I kept Dakota's name when I bought him even though everyone in my family hated it. Except me, I liked it. And he was 18 at the time, he knew his name. Didn't seem right to change it. I did change Beauty's name though. They called her "Cutie" and "Moose".:doh: I just couldn't live with that. At least Beauty kind of sounds like Cutie, she caught on to it pretty fast.:)
I've never changed a cat or dog's name, but I did change my Pygmy goat's name from "Daisy" to Oreo. She looks like an oreo cookie, it just fit her better.