Meet Don Quixote (sometimes de la Mancha)

Meet Don Quixote, a miniature Schnauzer:

He's the newest family member. We like names to be meaningful, otherwise, you might as well name something X6YU8QDQ8SN9 like a computer would. The first name thrown out for him was "caballero" which means "gentleman" because that's exactly how he acts. But "caballero" is an unwieldy name and add to that he's a little clumsy and bookish looking and the other suggestion "Don Quixote" seemed to fit.

If you are not familiar with Spanish literature, Don Quixote (pronounced Don Kee-hoh-tay) is a middle-aged gentleman from the region of La Mancha in central Spain. Obsessed with the chivalrous ideals touted in books he has read, he decides to take up his lance and sword to defend the helpless and destroy the wicked. The story has many adventures and winds to an end, supposedly illustrating the end of the age of chivalry.

So far, chivalrous is a good word for the dog. He's very patient with Talia, letting her hug him and pick him up without growling or snapping at her. He's generous with his adoration of her as well. Like all dogs, (and toddlers) he's also pretty good at getting muddy, so the "Mancha" part of his namesake might fit occasionally, since it means "stain."

While I understand the belief of many that you shouldn't pay for a dog, but rather adopt one of the many who are on the streets, this dog is different. All of the money made from him and his sisters will go to an orphanage to help take care of the children, who would otherwise be on the street. He still has two sisters waiting for a home, if you are interested, and they seemed to be equally good tempered.

To all the gentlemen of the world, canine or otherwise!