Share This Story
The name game continues. If you want to participate, check out Frankie’s blog and the rules of the game. We are taking a post every day this week and explaining where each member of The Herd’s name came from. We will, at least, finish on July 4 – the day when everyone is supposed to post their stories.
We will continue with the story of The Herd tomorrow, but today we are going to cross the valley to our hu-grandmother’s house (The Herd Annex) and tell you about Tartok (Ruby’s name will be explained on Thursday).
That happy Tartok smile.
Our hu-granddad suffers from a degenerative disease (progressive supranuclear palsy or its cousin, corticobasal degeneration – exact diagnosis is extremely difficult – think Parkinson’s and you have the idea) that affects many basic skills such as mobility and speech. Dealing with something like that is difficult for both the patient and the caregiver, so having a canine in the house is terrific support for hu-grandmom. Since she loved seeing The Herd and their antics (and, remembered fondly our beautiful Nikita who used to woo stories to the hu-grandmom), the hu-grandmom decided that she wanted a Siberian Husky.
Taking kitchen duty seriously.
As it turned out, our fantastic vet knew of a lady who had a Siberian Husky who needed to find a good forever home. A match made in heaven. Tartok made the move in November 2007 (he was born June 30, 2005).
Perfect execution of The Siberian Doughnut
His name was Midnight. A great name, but there was one problem – Midnight was the name of the beloved horse that the hu-grandmom had as a child. A horse is a best friend, a confidant, and a supporter – so the name had too many fond memories and could not be used. Still, we wanted to find a name that represented his black fur and resembled his original name – and we wanted to find a Native American name, preferably Inuit. We tried translating Midnight directly into Inuit (Unnuar Kretirarlugo – imagine trying to pronounce that) and using the word black (Tungulria or Kvernertok). We even played with a couple of names not directly connected to the color (Kinguyakki – Northern Lights – and Tikaani – wolf). Finally, we settled on Tartok which means dark, without light, although the hu-grandmom doesn’t like to acknowledge the “without light” part.
Mr. Cool
OK, mostly a perfect gentleman.
Tartok’s nicknames are mostly plays on his name – Tokkie, Tokkie Wokkie Doo, Ricki Ticki Tocki, and so on.
30 Comments
Leave a Comment
A Kibble Jar
Call it a tip. Or the euphemestic "Buy me a coffee." Or, in our case, "Buy us some kibble." Hu-Dad prefers patronage. Generous patrons have supported artists throughout history. Whatever you want to call it, if you enjoyed this post, consider making a donation to help offset the costs of this website. Your support will help keep our stories ad free.
Read Another Story
← Back One Story ◊ OR ◊ Forward One Story →
Hu-Dad's Latest Musing
Our Hu-Dad shares the latest updates on his writing projects, the books he's reading, and other details in random musings posted on his website. You can check out his novels there as well.
Wings of Doom
December 12, 2024
A simple nightly routine with my dogs led me to face the wings of doom, a hideous creature that lurks in the shadows of my yard.
Hu-Dad's Novels
His books pay for our food!
Thanks for sharing! Tartok is ever so handsome and it’s another name we haven’t heard before! We like it!
Kodi x
O the Tartok! Your story is one of just the right boy in just the right home, and I love it. It is the perfect Forever.
I fank you for sharin the entire story, and my the Mom would like to speak wif you further. I will ask her to email you!
For now, I will say… it is hard for even the bestest mannered boys not to do a little dinner table cleanup! Just sayin.
wif love from the Luke
Yay for hu-grandmom, sorry about her husband though. That can’t be easy. Midnight? No way! Not if the huparents and grandparents don’t want it. Can’t wait to find out the rest of:
Tartok the good the gentle and the best behaved!
Twink!
So really, Tartok is your hu-grandmom’s gateway drug? Obviously Ruby is proof that it worked. 🙂
I just read about the rescue group that closed. How horrible. Those people should be ashamed of themselves and should have to pay back the money they cost everyone. Diana
Another interesting naming story! These have been so cool! As for that “gentleman” crack… Of COURSE you are a gentleman! What do they expect if it’s RIGHT in front of your nose?! The CCC
his name is a great story
I love his story!
Tartok is a well behaved Sibe? Wow, I didn’t know there was such a thing! 🙂
That’s an excellent Siberian Doughnut!
Mochi
Sigh. And he’s sooooooooooo handsome!
Love,
Ammy
Love those names and their stories.
You put so much thought into naming your dogs. I feel so lazy by comparison.
Happy Almost Birthday Tartok!
What a great story!
Thanks fur sharing!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
I love Tartok’s name story!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
What a wonderful match! I love Tartok even more now.
It’s so lucky that Tartok found your grandma!
What a great story- thanks for sharing!
We have missed your name game – we need to go back and catch up!
Tartok is a wonderful name and we can understand that having had a special horse in your life called Midnight it wouldn’t fit for your special dog.
Tartok suits his name, dark and handsome however he does have light!
We are very impressed to hear how well behaved he is but we thought all siberians were – well all the ones we have met on the blogs seem very well behaved!
Not like us bassets at all xxxx
Rikki Tikki Tocki – love it!!! We didn’t know anything about Tartok and how and when he came to be a part of your hu-Grandmom’s family. Thanks for the story – we love his markings.
Mom sends her best for the hu-Grandad to be feeling OK.
Woos – Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Woof! Woof! Interesting Name Story. Thanks for sharing. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Woof! Woof! Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Hi again,
I’m not sure if you got my last comment about 2 seconds ago. My computer is giving me lots of trouble! But I love the way you came up your pups name, Tartok! That is perfect!
Also, thanks for the FUNNY comment about the two dogs I just posted..The high and low one! That made me laugh out loud at my computer!!
xxoo
Deborah
What great name stories. They are so interesting. My dogs names are not interesting. LOL I saw where you posted sometimes poeple think your dogs are wolves. I just cant believe they would think your beautiful dogs are wolves. Diana
That’s a great name and pretty clever too!
I loved your caption for the picture I just posted. I laughed out loud!!!
xxoo
Deborah
oh thank you for sharing that most interesting information.Although I am really sorry your HuGrandad is not well.
Tartok is an amazing Sibe, we love Sibes, we have some here in the town where we live, my Jeannie always goes over and gives them lots of attention, they are so handsome.
lotsaluv, Marvin xxxxxxx
Loving this name game…
I’ve loved all these stories so far! Every time I see Tartok, I am just captured by how stunning he looks. He sounds like he needs his own little pedestal to stand on. I love that the stories have been in chronological order so far, too!
Does Tartok ever visit at the nursing home like Cheoah? They seem like they’d be a good pair.
I’m really enjoying this July 4th game! I had never heard of the Siberian Doughnut, but I think I want one…or a picture of one. It’s good to hear that Tartok turned out to be the perfect match for the hu-grandparents.
Tartok you are so sweet but it looks like when there is food the true sibe comes out like the rest of us!! Stay sweet for the Hu-grandmom:-)
Licks & Nibbles,
Kody & Nia
that was a great story 😀
MORE PLEASE
Kissslobbes
El’bow & Hauwii
That’s what I do with “Loki’s” name. Loki is the Norse god of mischief and evil. I just ignore the evil part. truthfully, he’s too daft to be evil.
and Tartok and Juno would make a good pair. Except for the “shoes” issue with Juno, she really IS a good one–for a SIBE!
I loves me the “good” doggies like Tartok, but I’m always drawn to the naughty ones like Ruby. Glutton for punishment, huh?