Hi Susan,

I just rescued a 14 year old Maltese and will be taking her to her new foster mom on Saturday. This little girl has not one tooth left so the shelter named her Gummy Bear. I thought that was terrible and so does her new foster mom. She's naming her Gracie Mae (short for Mabel) after both of her grandmothers and she's going to call her Gracie for short.

Grace is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Grace is favor; blessing, good will. Mae is of English /French origin, and the meaning of Mabel is loveable. Shortened form of Amabel originally; later thought to be the French ma bell (my lovely girl), therefore sometimes found as Mabelle.

I had no idea Gracie Mae was short for Mabel because I have relatives from Oklahoma that have both names. I have a few others like Flossie and Bewla. Go figure. Anyway, I think Gracie is an adorable name.

You may come up with a name before your baby comes home but after living with her for a while, she may surprise you and rename herself.

Glynda