NAMES AND THEIR MEANINGS

What passes for a word we call a child at birth goes to bear ramifications that propel the fate of that child within the discretionary limits of destiny. What may seem a careless ‘fault’ or sheer ‘lucky break’ might in actual fact be mere destiny fulfilled. Fulfillment by way of extension transcends centuries through congenital ascendancy as well as an accompaniment of fate that attends one to accomplish feats beyond human discernment.

There is more to a name than meets the eye. A simple, nice word such as ‘Joseph’ (add one), added one unlikely child to the family, at the expense of the hitherto barren asker. The name Joseph was dropped from the tribes of Israel: two offshoot names ‘Ephraim’ and ‘Manasseh’ were added in extended fulfilled.

The wise father changed the accursed name ‘Ben-noa’ (son of my sorrow), bestowed by the dying mum, to ‘Benjamin’(son of the south/son of my right hand).This name proved too true within a few generations when all eleven tribes of Israel ganged up against this single tribe in judgment for its evil. Despite its wrongful stance in a war of blame, the Benjamites single-handedly defeated the combined tribes with prolific skills as the ‘right hand’ of that race. Each warrior was an unusually skilled ambidexter that could take a hair’s breath from point blank range.

The reflexive name ‘Moses’ (I took him out of the water) came with introspective qualities that distinguished the bearer from the sea of people. His orientation was of the finest standards the then world knew. The wisest philosophers as teachers, conducive environment for child upbringing afforded vantage opportunity to cultivate the finest gentlemanly manners and a balanced disposition, irrespective of the corrupting influences of the surrounding perverse society. Fate accomplished the essence of that name, raising the child in its mother’s humble hands early and then passing on the beneficiary unto her the benefactor to be refined in grandeur and to be taught to fare naturally in splendor.

‘There was not a man as humble as Moses on the face of the earth.’

Striking was the fulfillment of the name ‘Issachar’ (hire). Because an unloved wife lacked access to her husband who had been usurped by a prettier sister as second wife, an herb believed to be invaluable for fertility which her son brought home was to be the price for a one-night stand with her husband. Noteworthy of mention is the lot of ‘Issachar’ when Israel blessed his sons on his deathbed. An early generation acquired the status of serfs due to their delight in the dignity of labor, regardless of the price that ought to be paid.

‘Issachar is an ass’s colt couched between two burdens. He saw that the land was good and bowed his back unto forced labor’

The name Kunta Kinte (the only thing greater than yourself), in the movie, ‘Roots’ challenged his ‘manhood teacher’ who was supposed to be the greatest thing in a child’s life until then. The child grew into an overachiever despite impossible conditions that took him through slave trade, chopped leg, sale of an only child: his descendant was to return in his place, to the place of his capture, in fulfillment of the chicken-sacrifice of a loving father for his return. His was the only returnee story traced back through medieval generations to Africa. He was the only thing that defied the four century long macabre debacle—slave trade.

The Good Book, though, abounds with names attached to high destiny. Top among these include:
MALE FEMALE

1. BENAIAH ESTHER
2. DANIEL MARY
3. DAVID RUTH
4. JOSIAH DORCAS
5. THEOPHILUS RAHAB
6. JOHN ABIGAIL
7. PAUL ELIZABETH
8. PETER DEBORAH
9. STEPHEN NAOMI
10. MICHAEL/JOSHUA MATHA

DOG

A dog is not a g-o-d. If divine functions do not include dogs, what constitutes best uses of a dog? As man’s best friend, dogs are best at security functions. Guard duties and crime detection are top priorities that highlight dog intelligence. That a dog can save a life places it first in essence among domestic creatures.

DOG HYGIENE

For a household companion, a need exists for a dog to be cultured in hygienic conditions. Unlike humans, a dog’s fur is compromised by daily baths. How then can it keep in hygiene? First, priorities for dog health must be noted:
1. fur care
2. dog place
3. dog habits
4. table manners
fur care
Dog fur must never be brushed too often: two times a day is just right. Stroking will do just fine to keep fur and skin healthy, communicate love and garner excitement for health. Each morning, dog powder should be applied evenly before brushing.
dog place
Particular attention should be given to where the dog spends most of its time.(It is improper to share a bed with a dog for health hazards.) Dogs must avoid wet or moist conditions always as that fosters easy infestation. If a dog lays out on a smooth hard surface(especially in warm or hot conditions), that spot must be mopped severally within a day with disinfectant. Fly larvae sprout quickly and incubate their skin with lethal maggots. Dog pillows should be dusted and sunned daily.
dog habits
A dog must be trained early not to regurgitate or to swallow its vomit, at that*. This is characteristic of dogs and would prove habitual if not timely checked. Dogs turn around one spot and finally snuggle into a cozy, comfortable position: usually on the same side. Discourage a dog from sleeping on the same side, especially on hard surfaces as it gives bacteria more time to act on the skin. Discourage your dog from being too playful, especially with strangers, it distorts its focus.
table manners
Feed a puppy 5 times a day, reducing frequency to 3times to stop at once a day by full grown six months old. It must only feed from a plate, always. It is advisable to make it the same plate all the time. Train it early to test the water for temperature with its leg before drinking. Never throw food at it or feed it from your palm, it weakens its resistance and exposes it to temptation. Make it drink water 5minutes to meal-time. Do not tease it with food or heighten its anticipation. Food must never be served raw. Canned foods are best served seasoned with vegetables (such as spinach) in a little rice. Bones must not be served at mealtime with the main course.


*charcoal tablets ease vomiting.
health-tips
n Serving bone-marrow of cows cooked with meals improves dog’s strength immensely.
n Go dog-walking at least for thirty minutes each day, preferably in the evening, within the same area.
n Teach your dog tricks, patiently demonstrating your expectation.
n Stroke your dog several times in a day.
n Speak to your dog, repeating a word many times with action, where necessary.
n Prevent your dog lying on bare ground. Teak infection is easier than imagined.
n Control contact with other dogs. Dog-to-dog diseases are preventable.
n Bathe with warm water fortnightly.
n Spray teak powder regularly.
n Do not mate a 6 month old female. Leave it till a year old.
n Do not mate two dogs of the same parenthood. The pups will die.
n Avoid cross-breeding. Seek out pure breeds for best results.

puppy care
puppies are vulnerable to teak infection. They may not be served teak baths but should be administered teak powder lightly, on regular basis. Areas of concentration include; inside the ears, between the paws, beneath the body, on the head and around the neck.
tips
n Puppies should be kept away from poisonous plants and chemicals.
n Should be provided with plastic or leathern objects to chew on.
n Should have regular playtime and should be tossed, using the feet.
n Should be lifted up severally by the skin of the back.
n Should be fed exclusively at first with milk.
n Should be separated from mother at ten weeks.
n Should be prevented from biting each other at play.
n Must be bred fat early and maintained through 16 weeks.
n Should take all three shots within recommended time frame.

PREFERRED BREEDS
Poodle(French)
Dalmatians(Americans)

GUARD DOGS
PIT-BULL—prone to recognize one person—the feeder. Attacks anyone else.
BULLMASTIFF—Huge and ferocious.(unpopular).Like Pitbull, grab-bite once.
ROTTWEILER—Popular. Very jealous. Meticulous about starting cars with keys.
DOBERMAN—(Scooby-doo stupid) swift, playful,with more bites than Rottweiler.
GERMAN SHEPHERD—Big, proud, confident, handsome. Good for appearances.
ALSATIAN—Rich colored. Most intelligent dog(a species sniffs cocaine).Right size.

*First 4 breeds should have their tails cut early, professionally. Guards dogsmust be trained and keep away from the family. The last two breeds are versatile and may be nurtured as pets or guard dogs. Their orientation goes a long way to determine their function.