On the naming of puppies

I've always advocated that when you lose a pet, the best thing to do is find a replacement as soon as possible.  Nothing heals the wound like the rub of a 12 week old puppy nose.  With this in mind, I began sending out emails today.  I'm looking for another Boxer puppy - one that will not take Gertie's place, but which will still help fill the hole in my heart.  I've already started getting replies.
At some point I will need to decide if I want a male or a female, so far I've only owned females.  Then there is the name.  Gertie was named after my paternal grandmother, Gertrude Wiest and Lilly is named after my maternal grandmother Lillian D'aubert (that's right, I'm German / French).  If I were to go with a male I could start hitting my grandfathers.  My maternal grandfather's name is Levi.  That has a bit of ring to it.  My paternal grandfather's name was Roy....  Roy....  Why would anyone want to name a dog Roy?

Lilly and Gertie in happier days

Like everybody, I do have a number of deceased relatives who have simply wonderful names, there's a Minnie, and a Gracie, and a Mae and a Laura, there's even an Abbie, though, according to my brother everybody called her Abigail.  On the male side there have been several Johns, a Robb, a Richard and a Cletus, which is another one which might not make a good dog's name.

Of course, in the end, it doesn't make any difference what you name a dog, what's important is the connection you build.  Five and a half years ago I drove north to a breeder on a cool, autumn morning.  There was still frost on the ground when I got there.  The breeder's kennels were heated on the inside, but each had a door leading out to a running area so the puppies could get out and run around.  As we approached, a single puppy walked out and sat down.  I paused a second or two and then turned to the breeder and said, "I'll take that one."