The shelter named our cat Pez. We like Pez (the candy), and I knew it came from the word for "peppermint" in German. My mom had a picture book about a cat named Peppermint. So it seemed like a good name, we liked it, and we kept it.

Now when people hear her name, they say "Like the candy?" or "Like the dispenser?" or "Why did you name her that?" or "Why Pez?" On a side note, the "like the candy" question sounds much more intelligent to me than the "like the dispenser" question. I mean, why is a Pez dispenser called a Pez dispenser? Because it dispenses Pez. Asking "Like the dispenser?" about a cat named Pez is like asking "Like the tissue box?" about a cat named Kleenex. Not that I know of any cats unfortunate enough to be named Kleenex. Thank goodness.

When we explain that the shelter picked the name, we liked it, and we kept it, people invariably look disappointed. Thus, we must have alternate stories ready at the drop of a hat.

If you can come up with such a story (good, interesting, slightly-believable stories preferred), please email it to me.

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