Gorby
Remember a little while back when, like Prince, I announced that I was changing my name to &? Of course it turned out to be a complete fiasco when people had no idea how to greet me! Well, while I was reading the comments over at YouTube, ScoutPL asked me if my dog’s name was Gorby….. and that got me to thinking. I like the name Gorby better then Kobe!
I never really had an affinity towards Kobe Bryant nor am I really a fan of kobe beef, but Gorbachev is a very famous Russian who did some amazing things for Russia. Therefore, I think the name Gorby has more meaning to me than Kobe… plus EVERY OTHER dog I run into is named Kobe!!!
So, as of today, Kobe will now be known as Gorby! He likes it, as he comes running to me when I call it out. I like it! What do you think? Take the little poll below to let me know.
[poll id=14]
neuroway on 
leonard on 
Greatest Potential on 
Hi, Marina,
Hope Gorby is getting better. I wrote a little article about your dog in my blog: http://la-morsa.blogspot.com/2008/12/cuando-se-enferma-tu-perro.html
best wishes
Manuel
Marina, as long and Kobe-now-Gorby has no confusion in the new name, you shouldn’t have a problem. The two words sound pretty similar, so I think your pup should be ok. Just keep an eye on him. My dog, Max, answers to several names: Max, Biff, Old Man, etc. Dogs don’t really identify themselves with a name… to them it could just as well mean “Your attention is needed over here.” They simply become trained to respond to the word.
signed,
student body
It’s quite likely that Gorby does not distinguish his new name all that much from Kobe because the ending of the two names sound the same. Personally, I love pet names that end in the ‘by’ or ‘be’ sound and I think the pets like it also. Additionally, being that Gorby is a smart and very lucky dog, it is also possible that he just couldn’t resist running to you no matter what you decide to call him.
“So, as of today, Kobe will now be known as Gorby! He likes it, as he comes running to me when I call it out. I like it! What do you think? Take the little poll below to let me know.”
i think you created an instant bias for the poll!! .. shame on you!
I like it!
I really admire Mikhail Gorbachev. 
I really think he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize! I was also very impressed and honored when he showed up at my bosses funeral . I think its cool Kobe changes his name to Gorby.
What’s with the name changing? I’m already use to the name Kobe… even though it is NOT affiliated to Kobe Bryant.
Personally, I say you should keep the name you already have to begin with.
—(subscriber formally known as animalntaz… temporally!)
Go for the name change…the li’l pooch will think it’s just a pet name anyway (pun intended).
Sorta like one of my cats, Samantha. She actually has several nicknames she answers to, like Sammy, Zammies, Zombies and Zoom-Zooms (’cause she runs around a lot)!
And then there’s one of my male tabby cats, Puzz…can’t think of any other name for him. Puzz is, well, Puzz!
“I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!” Wicked Witch of the West
Marnia I hope Gorby is not a useless dog!
http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/useless_dog
gorby sounds a bit weird , but if he likes it , and you like it , then change it . It’s your dog . hmm , a lot of dogs over there are named kobe ?
Marina dear, what input will you ask from us in the future
Will it be baby names? lil’l Marinaita, or Otto Orlova; yes Otto, same name coming or going less confusion that way.
Hey Marina,
I am thinking of changing my name too.
Sir Baron von Bikengruvin McLuvalott III jr. ESQ. MD.
vs 
no harm in changing his name M, i have a friend who has done this name change twice in his llife, he’s thinking of changing again to something like Al-B the 14th, he’s happy! Just confuses my wee brain having been best man at two of his weddings….getting his second wifes name is one thing but one of your best mates on an identity crisis is another
If it makes you happy and woofer gives you the paws up with a wag of the tail, go for it – if he lets off some ggggrrrr’s, starts chewing your gym pumps then I say have a chat, sit down put the kettle on, talk about it, explain, reason with him, give the pro’s and cons. Kobe is ones own after all however I think he knows who is bosslady.
What’s the worse that could happen? He may be confused by it a little at first, raise an eyebrow, ponder, do a few more circles spinning around, checking the mirror a few times, thats what my mate Al-B seemed to do for a while, he came round….think ok, deal with it, move on…Im guessing in a few days the name kobe will be a distant memory, as if that name never was……kobe, shmowby im sticking with gorby
I think he could end up with an identity crises by changing
his name now. Respectfully yours, jimj122345
Gorby is a good name if you like it and he comes when you call him why not
Gorby is much better. Stick with that. My dog was named Slyna, which was pronounced Sloona, which was Swedish for bitch. (Female dog – thought it appropriate).
According to the Play “Cats” all cats have three names, their real name, a nick name and a secret name. You could do that with Kobe. His real could be Kobe. His nick name could be Gorby, and his secret name could be Mr. Leg Humpper or something like that. I realize that Mr. Leg Humpper, sorry I mean Kobe isn’t a cat but I think it’s still a pretty good idea. I think you should give it a shot.
He’s YOUR dog, so he gets to spend his life with YOU, having YOU feed him and care for him and hug him and he probably even gets to sleep with YOU, so his name should obviously be LUCKY!
Hey,
Just thought I would ask you to find out where the word “Sioux” originated.
Thanks……
Tom
If you like the name Gorby, then you should get another dog and name him Gorby. That way Kobe won’t get confused. Plus you need to find a dog with a “wine stain” on his head before you can name him Gorby.
Now I’m confused…..
OK – so if I like Marinara better than Marina,
then it’s alright to call you that?
It all seems fickle to me – as if names aren’t
significant. I keep forgetting you live in LA…
How far can we go with this idea? Shall we
now call the “Moon” as “The Big Holeless
Doughnut in the Sky” if we like doughnuts?
I dunno… doesn’t seem ethical coming from
a “philologist / etomologist”; or should that be
“Make it up as you go along”. Have you been
influenced by the ramblings of Stokesjr1?
Word request: fickle
Gorby is a much better name, with historical ties. Now you need to get Gorby a little buddy. You can name him “Ronnie” or “Reagan”.
If it weren’t for Gorby and Ronnie, I probaly would not be watching you on you tube today.
go for it. he is your dog. i named my cat boo. first thing i thought when i saw her. but a of of cats are named bo. so i think i may give her a nickname as well like bees ya know boo-bees lol.
I thingk you should call him coby, moby, snowby, joby, noby, or zoby,vat do yew thingk?
The flavor of Colby cheese is often compared to cheddar, but the cheese is much more mild and creamy. Colby also has a high moisture content, and it tends to be much softer than cheddar. The cheese is manufactured with a washed curd process, and is not subjected to cheddaring, as is the case with cheddar cheese. Washing reduces the acid content, making Colby cheese less tangy when it is finished.
from wise geeks COLBY Gorby
I’ve usually had 5 or 6 names for my pets over the years, they respond to all of them with a little time. You can use them like commands–different names for different circumstances…
Oh, I guess I’ve done the same for “girl friends” (not to say they’ve been pets!), funny they always remember the nicknames; or, should I refer to these as ‘pet’ names?
I think Gorby is a much better name.
Whatever happened to Gucci?
I like Gorby more because it is less common. Plus, it relates/connects to your Russian history.
Some names seem to get too popular/common that they seem boring.
I know a girl named Karen who changed her name to Jasmine… it suited her… she’s exotic.
Ok Marina,if Gorby likes His new name the I’m all for it,,but,,now He has to take another baloon ride over the Driftless Area so We can all,,well,,whatever it is Ya do when a name change takes place.
So,ummmm,will Gorby be happier now and stop shittin on the floor? You could call Him “Gorby che volet” just to see what happens.
I had a dog years ago named “Lucinda T Mutt”,best damn dog ever,had a white T on Her chest and was very well trained. She was called “Lucy” or “Loose Wheel” for nicknames. She was,I think,a chocolate lab and spaniel mix,about 70lbs,and smart as a whip.
My dog, Surge, like the name Gorby for Kobie. Mind you Surge weighs a good 120 pounds and sees Kobie/Gorby as an hors d’ourves. ot that he’d snack on the little fella. R.A.
You changed your mind on what kind of dog to have…OK. You change your mind on what to call Him… ‘k. Are you going to change your mind on colour too?
That was not my dog.. that dog belonged to someone in the office where I was filming!
I know that
… Don’t get me wrong though, nothing wrong with adding a little colour. Just don’t forget he’s gotta’ keep his machismo.
bullseye
You mentioned before, when you moved, that Gucci#t=2m36s had to move out to stay with relatives. I thought about what I wrote last night & your reply. Hoping that didn’t come across as sounding critical or implying that you change dogs on a whim, oh no.
If I could borrow your shoulder to cry on, as it were. I know situations change that are difficult emotionally, even when it’s not expected to be. I’ve cried myself to sleep the last couple of nights, admittedly I don’t understand it. With 2 of my kids moving out & a university student moving in, My Cockatiel had to go to a new home… 15+ years had him, been through a lot together he almost always sat with me at the computer (every now & then jumping on the keyboard). Got him through the mourning process when he lost his mate, egglaying. Had to find him when he flew away for a couple of nights ( & comfort my daughter while he was gone)… Recently had him staying down at the shop & customers love him but it’s getting cold there at night, so found a lady that really missed her birds & he’s gone… just like that
I didn’t think it would bother me, he’s in a good place (I hope) I didn’t even get her phone # (damn fool I am)
Thanks for the virtual shoulder (you may want to change your virtual top now, sorry.)
Hey Marnia, isn’t funny how we hold on to certain phrases like “filming”, despite changes in technology. Sometimes, our language doesn’t change quickly and at other times words change radically. That has always amazed me.
My presumption is that you were actually video taping and there may actually not have been any tape involved. I presume you didn’t use any film either.
So, perhaps you were “videoing”? Somehow, that just doesn’t sound right. Filming sounds better and if we keep that word around, then in 100 years, HotGrandmaForWords will answer a request regarding, “What is film? Why do we say filming when there is no film.”
I guess it’s time to invent a new word for filming?
Since it all goes onto memory cards now, maybe it should be called “making a video recarding.”.
Dear совершенная Marina, You may name your dog whatever you like. A dog really asks very little from you, and gives you love and attention whenever you want it. Just take care of your dog’s needs (food, shelter, cleanliness, affection, and clean water) and your dog will be devoted to you. You spend more time with your dog than any of us subscribers, so you are the best person to provide the name:!:
Your dear student, seesixcm6
SPUTNIK, STOP CHEWING ON MY RUG
SPUTNIK, QUIET 
I AM FILMING HOTFORWORDS INVESTIGATES 
ONE MORE BARK AND BACK TO MOSCOW FOR YOU SPUTNIK 
I like Yeltsin, Molatov, vodka, or how about SPUTNIK…..HERE SPUTNIK…STOP THAT SPUTNIK…SPUTNIK STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Marina,
For a cute, little fluff-ball like your dog, I believe the name Kobe fits, but I think you have your mind already set.
your dog, your choice…
rename him & dye a purple streak in his fur for Halloween…
i believe in pet names with some meaning behind ‘em – growing up our dog was “Hope” – she was a lame collie mix that showed up on our doorstep one rainy Fall evening while my folks were at a football game – and was with us for 15 glorious years. my next dog was “Kadie” because my ex-wife was a Kappa Delta. the husky i have today is “Illa” – Inuit for “friend”.
but you name your pooch whatever strikes your sweet head as right…
You know what, if the dog responds and seems to like it and it’s easy for the owner, thats what counts
Dear Teach – off the subject, but before I forget, wouid you please consider the word “shindig?” And should you wish to don a mermaid costume for Halloween, I volunteer to carry you around.
What if she chooses to be a mermaid who was granted legs?
Still I know you’d be volunteering.
wouldn’ t we all…
Right,
Marina would you like to Crowd Surf?
I cannot get the poll to work. You have some strong points Marina, so I would vote for Gorby. It adds a certain Grrr to it.
oh I got it to work!
I voted G-man.
I voted for Gorby.
This can be difficult depending on what level you look at.
Kobe is YOUR dog.
Dogs are chattel.
You can call your chattel whatever you want.
The effectiveness of a name change would likely depend on the age of the dog and the degree of change.
Kobe to Gorby is not a drastic change. 2 syllables both ending in bee. The difference being Ko to Gor. Not a drastic change in sound or shape of the mouth to make that sound. Your dog should be good with a simple change like this.
Reason. What was your reason for calling him Kobe in the first place? Your reason for Gorby in honor of Gorbachev is as good as any. But to change it for that reason is a little frivolus. Unless you have some REAL respect for Gorbachev or something happened to him and you wish to honor him. But it would have commercial value to you in enhancing the “foreign” flavor to your lessons at the slight expense to the cuteness factor of Kobe.
Would you be using Gorby as his normal and nick name and Gorbachev when scolding and directing him (like adding a middle name). i.e. Gorbachev stop peeing all over the place and pee on that wall?
In summary. The change is no big deal and would be effective. Just know that YOUR Russianness is not what attracts and keeps people on your site and lessons. It’s your personality and talent.
Now would it be Gorby Gorbachev, Gorby HotForWords, or Gorby Orlova? Just remember to change his licenses, including his pilot’s license (Gee I wonder if that name would be on a no fly list).
Why don’t you call him Woden?
He should have a passport.
To be a true Soviet-named puppy, will you need to dye his hair pink now?
Only a cone head…
But, but . . . what about my Kobe Kard? Will it be changed to Gorby Chef, server of little turds? By the way, is that card, “You’ve won the prize”, a polite way to say, “Now, go away”?
If he was serving little turds he’d need to be named Pootin.
Oh, man , that was sharp!
I think it all depends on how old he is, but found [THIS] to hopefully be of assistance to you. According to these ppl, their dogs seem to respond well to an appropriately applied name change, and they offer what seems to me to be sound advice on the matter. That said, my vote is change if you wish, but do it right.
Ciao,
Fianchetto
With nod of approval to Capman/Ghost Rider who observes that the names are very phonetically similar enough to minimize confusion for your pet
Additionally… I am considering getting a pair of cats. Initially was going to get one, and name it ‘Mischief’ (collective noun for mice). Researching the matter, I learned that cats do not recognise their names as dogs do, but rather a sound associated with pleasure (treat, play or petting) when they respond to it by coming when it is called. I have also learned that one should name cats with simple names, ending in the ‘ee’ sound (I don’t know why they like ‘ee’), and avoiding the hard ’s’ as it resembles the hissing noise that has a negative connotation for cats. I don’t know about dogs, but to be sure, there must be someone somewhere that does. I also have decided that if I do get a cat, I intend to get Siamese breed, and learn that they need a lot of attention, and is best to get two that they may play with one another while I am away (work, shopping, etc.). The book I reference is [HERE].
They also have a [Dog Owner's Manual] which may provide you with naming information particular to dogs (on page 67).
Finally, all seriousness aside, I offer [Quiche Lorraine]
Ciao,
Fianchetto
MY DOG WHISPERER suggestion can remedy all problems…look below….
I don’t like to pour cold water on your ideas, BUT …
Then again …
maybe you should call him Bobby.
The question is does Kobe er Gorby like his new name? Hope the little guy doesn’t get an identity crisis!
NEXT WEEK ON DOG WHISPERER……Kobe or Gorby from Hotforwords is in rehab and free basing Alpo and Milkbone speedballs or Mb balls. Jose, will meet with Marina and try to help Kobe/Gorby to stop being a junkie……Marina,…..yes Jose, WTF, got a problem with the name SNOOPY
LOL…I CRACK MYSELF UP SOMETIMES…….
Bravo, NB! the first step to recovery is admission that you have the problem. Now find yourself a 12-step program and get off that crack….
I urge great caution before changing Kobe’s name. An attempt to change the name of dogs, boats, wives, and loved ones tempts the fates! It’s much too close to Halloween to risk this. Besides, Kobe is a cute name…. Q
…..shave “Gorby’s” fur off his head, if he got that wine stain birthmark of South America it’s a done deal
brazen—brazil–brave bull
I think it fits your nature as well as little Gorby. Gorbachev was once a great leader of your country so you still have ties back to you home which is great. Plus Kobe and Gorby sound so much alike that Gorby probably doesn’t know the difference. Plus he is still young and will understand his mothers choice of changing his name. Just don’t change yours.
Oh and by the way are you going to put a port wine stain on Gorby’s little head to match Gorbachev.Just kidding.
For a minute there I thought I saw a Ghost.
portugese—good wine
Combine man Gorby is still in the policey realm!
gorby
Hey Marina, now that you brought this up, did you think we forgot about that Koba thingie?
And here is that fascinating question.
When will we get to know the answer?
Inquisitive minds wanna know.
Ohhhh yeah… I was good.
I don’t think she will ever answer the Koba remark that she made. Oh I thought being good refered to Christmas as telling Santa that you were good this year.
But, now that I brought up your old nickname Koba, might you like it even better, yet? We know you were little Mermaid when you were younger, so that wouldn’t fit little fluffy fluff.
Depending on where your nickname Koba came from, it might be a nice name for fluffy fluff? No? If it has possibilities, add it to the voting machine.
Koba, the dog in charge.
Marina says she is of aristocracy, Stalin’s little pet actress
Koba is a nickname that Stalin insisted people call him.. based on a Robin Hood type character from a book. I had a recent friend call me that… perhaps as a joke on her part!
Human women change their names all the time… how about you change your name to Mrs. Fianchetto, and get a green card as a bonus?
Another mystery solved by Hot For Words.
What book?
Wooo Hooo, I got it semi right.
Thank you Marina for finally clearing thaaaat up. I don’t think I could have gone another day without knowing that.
Besides, we (except aLx) like your pigtails better as a sign of authority anyway.
So, are you Robin hood in drag, or are you Maid Mariana?
Thanks Rusalka ноги, I was also wondering about the origin of your old nickname, Koba
but thats not this meaning
name
I say kobe
how would you like it if your parents changed your 
also kobe sounds cooler
*name -.-
I concur!!!
Gorby it is.
Wow. You are fast!
how long has this been up….
About as long as you can say dang that was fast.
huh?
does that make you top dog?