The news story about New Zealand outlawing certain names puttered around the Internet a few weeks ago, and most of those verboten names were on the “inelegant” side, to say the least. I’ve long wished for laws like this in the US because from what I’ve overheard in the park, there are more than enough little Emersons, Maximuses, and Californias out there already (yes, California, so you know her junior high years will be a breeze). I don’t even like the nutty names they give show dogs, but at least dogs don’t really know how to be ashamed, and these pups often get treats. See if you can tell the difference between the names that are banned in New Zealand and those rewarded with ribbons by the American Kennel Club. As was true with the reaction to Banana Joe V Tani Kazari’s Westminster win, you may be surprised.