Naming the Pups, page 2 |
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The fourth puppy born, a Tri-color, TALL female, receives her name from the Central Highlands Province of Fianarantsoa, which means a "place of good learning." It was a place where Merina nobility came to take in hot water springs in luxury spas--the southernmost stop on the railroad from Tananarive, the capital city. She is clearly a young, classy Coton who learns well and who'd appreciate luxury. We call her FIANA...  |
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The fifth puppy born to Sally and Rossy is a White boy that we named after the northernmost Province of Antsiranana, first explored by the Portuguese in 1543. Here, the strategically important port city of Diego Suarez was, during my tenure on the island, the subject of foreign intrigues between the CIA and the Soviet Union's KGB. Somehow, even though I was merely studying Madagascar's wildlife, I got wrapped up in these adventures. But that's another story, fit to tell to young RANI on the dark winter NY nights that mark his birthplace so far from his ancestral lands. Rani can hold a state secret (and a milk bone and a ball)...  |
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The last puppy born is a character named for the northeastern Province of Toamasina. I spent much time here exploring European pirate haunts (on Saint Mary's Island) and observing tiny Mouse Lemurs (near Fort Dauphin) in the beautiful tropical rain forests of this jungle land. The name of the province comes from the exclamation of Madagascar's King Radama I when he sipped some sea water -- "Toa masina!" (It's salty). And that is appropriate for the handsome, salty little dude we call MASY...  |
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