Otter Oughta Be Her Name

Are you aware that the name Cheoah refers to a certain water loving creature? Very appropriate since otter oughta be her name.

With water drooling out of her mouth, you can see why otter oughta be her name.

With water drooling out of her mouth, you can see why otter oughta be her name

We were hiking one day and ran into a Lakota woman who wanted to be introduced to Qannik, a dog she perceived to be a special spirit because of his eyes. In talking with her, she foretold that we would soon adopt a new Siberian Husky named Cheoah, the Cherokee word for “Spirit.”

Dive! Dive!

Dive! Dive!

Thus, a few weeks later, when we adopted this little red Siberian Husky who had been abandoned behind a foreclosed house, we decided to name her “Cheoah.” Unfortunately, we live in one of the few parts of the world with several thousand Cherokee speakers (we live beside the Eastern Band reservation) who have gleefully told us that Cheoah actually means Otter, not spirit. Fortunately, Cheoah is also that rare Siberian who loves water, as can be seen in these photos.

Why are you looking at me?

Why are you looking at me?

TTH Subscription

Never Miss a Woo!


Don't rely on social media. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and be notified when we post a new story. We will email ONLY when we post something new. No spam—EVER! And you may unsubscribe at any time, no questions asked.

6 Comments

  1. Terry (+Rory) on September 24, 2018 at 8:20 pm

    I LOVE CHEOAH!!! She is such a beauty…and very cool! She follows her own rules!!

  2. All Things Collie on September 24, 2018 at 1:30 pm

    Ha, I wonder where that woman learned the word for spirit!

    Collies don’t usually like the water/swimming. Do huskies? Or is Cheoah unusual?

  3. Juno's mom on September 24, 2018 at 9:27 am

    The dive picture made me think of the fishing style of bears in rivers referred to as snorkeling. She looks like a fuzzy little bear. ;-D

  4. tammy j on September 24, 2018 at 6:49 am

    oh how I love this! a Free spirit listening to her own drummer! 🙂

  5. Jean B Burkhardt on September 24, 2018 at 5:38 am

    Cheoah might be a “spirit” OR an “Otter” but no matter-she is a water loving sweetheart!!!!

  6. Patricia and Rebel on September 24, 2018 at 4:23 am

    Maybe she saw the “Spirit” of the “Otter”

Leave a Comment





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.

Horrible Hurricane Helene: Why So Bad for WNC?

October 29, 2024

Hurricane Helene was a monster storm, but the way it hit Western North Carolina couldn’t have been much worse.

Hu-Dad's Novels

His books pay for our food!