Person Gives Their Dog A Human Name, Turns Out His Sister’s Boyfriend Is Named The Same And Family Drama Ensues
Jimmy Chew, Pup Tart, Chew-Barka. These are all the dog names, because… why not? And while many canine owners are clearly getting more creative with the ways to call their furry friends, some people opt for more traditional options like Buddy or Bella. The rest, they go with the name they genuinely like, and quite like naming a baby, they give their dog a human name.
One dog owner who always thought it was funny when dogs have human names named his doggo Brad. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, or a deal at all, to be honest, until their sister came over one day with her boyfriend. “Everything was all fine and good until he asked what my dog’s name was,” Brad’s owner wrote in the post on r/AITA.
As you suspect, the boyfriend turned out to be also named Brad, and this did not go down well. Read on for the full family drama below and make sure to share your thoughts on giving dogs human names, and whether humans should even feel resentful about it.
Meet Brad, a cute dog with a human name whose owner found it funny until their sister and her boyfriend came over one day
Image credits: PapaJonCenaSpriteMix
Image credits: PapaJonCenaSpriteMix
Image credits: PapaJonCenaSpriteMix
It’s no secret that just like anything in this world, pet names come in trends. Think of Bella, a name that topped the list of the most popular female dog and cat names for several years running, thanks to a heroine of the same name in the Twilight series. Or Simba, the classic name and one of the top male cat names ever that rose to fame with the release of The Lion King. Experts say that names influenced by pop culture can literally hit the charts overnight, so think of cats named Billie (Eilish) or Adele.
Giving your furry friend a human name is also nothing new. Many owners are now forgoing names like Fido and Bruiser and opting instead for common human versions that may be explained by a wish to make their pets even more a part of the family.
“Pet humanization—or anthropomorphism, as it’s scientifically known—is becoming common because owners are increasingly wanting to provide their pets with human-like products or experiences,” Charlotte Harper, co-founder of pet wellbeing specialist ITCHpet.com, explained.
Moreover, she added that “Giving them human names is us subconsciously drawing them ever closer into the family environment and treating them as children, which is obviously of great benefit to the pet, and for the family’s general wellbeing.”
But many pet owners feel totally fine with giving their furry friends human names, and others even liked sharing their names with animals
Image credits: LoneMapleStudio
Image credits: BBonushole
Image credits: jcampbell12905
And this is what others had to comment on the “Brad” matter
My mother's cousin raises donkeys. We went to visit him when I was a teenager. He presented us some of his donkeys, one of them called Julie like my sister. I jokingly said I was miffed no donkey was named like me. So the next year, after birthing season, he called saying that he now had a donkey named Laure. And it made my day.
How sweet! I had a little girl name their hamster after me!
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Human Brad is very childish to be upset. What does it matter if your dog has the same name, somebody somewhere probably has a rat or a crocodile named Brad too.
People can be weird. I had a dog named Tessa in primary school and my English teacher was also named Tessa. She got all upset and offended when she learned my dog's name (some kind of pet essay, I don't remember) saying "You shouldn't name dogs after people". I responded with something along the lines of "oh, I thought Tessa was a dog name. My mom chose it". I didn't get in trouble but that teacher never did like me after that.
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I had a workmate named Robert. My other colleague had a tomcat also named Robert. One day, she was talking about Robert being so elegant and such a wonderful kisser - and my boss only realized she was talking about feline Robert when she explained that he always had to climb on the table to reach her for kisses. Human Robert was also a bit on the shorter side but definitely not THAT short - which is exactly what my boss pointed out. It took him several seconds to understand why we were all dying from laughter!!
We have three sets of friends. One with a little girl named skye, one with a little boy named skye and one with the best doggo named skye. Both kids are a bit shy but doggo skye is the best girl who loves pet pets. Anyone who yells “skye come here” at a bbq with invariably be greeted with mixed reviews but you will 100% of the time at least end up with a sweet mamma dog snoot in your lap.
I would be honored to find a pet named Michelle! And BRAVO Brad #1 for keeping your cool when you heard a human douche has your name!
I feel like most of my pets have always had human names. I thought most people did this. We had a child 2 years ago, named Jack. We went to visit our old neighbor, while there, remembered her dog was named Jack. We thought it was hilarious and joked we named the kid after him.
Twat. Your sister dodged a bullet. Or at least a snowball. And Henry, Danny and Max agree
My cats have human names, Merida ( yes after the Disney Princess) and Owen. And in Russia its normal to give animals human names, though usually old fashion ones like Kuzia or Frosya
LOL "He is a blight upon all Brads". I don't have to worry, my fur babies came with stripper names that I never changed when I adopted them. Maybe I'll need to worry one day if I meet a Sapphire, but I'd hope she'd be honored to share her name with a beautiful blue-eyed husky.
I have two friends who have a dog with my first name. When they told me their dog was named after me I felt honored. I love it! And btw neither of these two friends know each other. Just randomly honored by both 😄
There's a toad named Viviane above your comment!😂
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Unless she named the dog after the boyfriend (which she clearly didn't) he's a complete baby. And her sister should have been told well I'm sorry I didn't psychically know that at some point in the future after I named him you were going to date a Brad.
We had a cat named Abigail. I was working at a Kinkos and a young woman gave me the same name for her copy order. I smiled and said we had a cat named Abigail, and the look on her face was as if I had just said something extremely inappropriate. Personally, I would be delighted if somebody's pet had the same name as me, but she apparently saw it as an insult.
That's crazy! My cousins were taking votes on names for their new cat and I liked Abby because I had a friend Abbey and she thought it was funny!
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The human brad in the story, was he still in leading strings to get that upset over a pet's name? Like when you tell a toddler they can't drink the bleach, so they throw a tantrum?
I’m Kathy, and several years back I had a roommate whose boyfriend had a Rottweiler named Cathy, a really wonderful dog, who he named long before I even met my roommate—-hell, a couple years before I even moved into the area. Though there were several times when there was a bit of confusion as to which one of us he was talking to, I still really liked having an unintentional canine namesake, especially one as beautiful and sweet as Cathy the Rottie.
I accidentally gave my dog the same name as my elderly next door neighbor. I knew him as 'Mr. X" so it was completely unintentional, but it was a little awkward after I figured it out and would call my dog's name.
In Lithuania, my name (Greta) is same as dog command 'heel' (translated to lithuanian also greta, just pronounced a little different). Should I be offended somehow too? :D
My dogs Barney and Stuart think Brad is a fine name. And Brad #2 should get over it.
My stepson is named Porter, and my brother (whose name is BRAD!) has a dog called Porter, too. Neither was named knowing the other even existed. Plus we live 3k miles apart, so never any confusion. Never heard whining about it from anyone!
he should take a cue from the josh battle that happened that one time. y'know the one.
Good friend has a big ol' dog named Kevin. We're both 58. Seems he just liked the name.
Ummm didn't the sister already know you had a dog named Brad? Wouldn't she have laughed when first meeting Human Brad? Also my father's name is Brad watch out. (and he's not THAT kind of Brad lol) My Macaw is named Wendy so if there's any Wendys reading this, please let me know now if you're offended and we'll hash this out now.
Normal with human names for animals in denmark. My rabbit called bodil - normal female name. Another rabbit called Joakim and a dog called Felix.... They are even names of two from our royal family.
By the way... My boyfriend when I was young named all his mother-pigs after me and my sister... I have allways been honored....
Load More Replies... NTA and the replies are hilarious. My cat had a human name. My MIL asked how Carl was doing and I started talking about how he hasn't had any seizures but he's been really constipated again...by the look on her face I soon realized she meant my uncle. Luckily the guy I worked with named Carl was not a Brad and had a good sense of humor about me asking if he'd pooped lately!
Current varmints are: Holly (dog), Andie and Ginger (cats). Past beloved varmints have included: Stanley, Joebob and Darlene. (dog, cat, cat). Oddly enough, our (human) daughter's name is Cat (short for Catarina, the italian spelling of my favorite Shakespearian character). Never thought that was strange until somebody mentioned it.
I am always hearing people shouting my name, in fact calling the dog of course. Very common dog name, and you can probably guess from my initial which one it is.
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My Grandmother passed away last year and one of the highlights of her 90+ years was when she was a teenager and found out her sister's boyfriend had a pet cow the same name as her.
My BF called all his previous cats (there were many, as I understand some of them were half-strays and left their house as they saw fit), aaaand one of them had my father's and my stepfather's name (yup -both have the same name). Hilarious if you ask me, looks like bitchy Brad has no sense of humor.
Why wouldn't that have come up in convo with the sister before they got there?! That would have been the first fun fact I would have told a new guy. Also, my dog's name is Gus!
My husband and I would are planning, that of we ever get a new female dog, we will name it after my friend...😁
My name is Sarah. I am offended that his sister's name is also Sarah. The nerve! How care she disrespect me like that?
My dog's name is Edward. If ANYONE had a problem with his name being Edward- I don't need that kind of negativity in my life. I never dated an Edward, but if I had, I can't imagine them being upset about my dog having the same name. And yes, he's named after Edward Cullen. Full nerd over here. :) IMG_4439-6...13b6d2.jpg 
Mt best friend has two dogs with the same names as my husband and me (dogs predate friendship). It gets confusing sometimes, but neither of us threw a hissy fit and demanded she rename her dogs. Ugh, Brad.
My husband's uncle had a pair of greyhounds named Steve and Bob. I think it was Bob that amused me the most.
Did the sister not know OP had a dog named Brad? They must not be terribly close for her to not be aware of that before bringing human Brad over.
My dog’s name is William, and he’s way more of a good boy than any human William I’ve encountered.
My name isn't super common (for humans), but I have met horses, dogs, cats, goats, and even a pig with my name. If someone's pet name offends you than I can guarantee you are the problem. If the animal was named "for" the person in order to be hurtful, then it might be different - like I have a donkey and My sisters boyfriend is an ass and I then name it for that reason and then make sure they know - d**k move. This - not even close.
If I ever meet an animal named Faith we will become the best of friends.
Well, my dogs, Madeline, Maggie and Parker think a dog named Brad is pretty okay
My b-in-l's aunt had a cat with my name. Bad tempered little thing. I thought it was funny.
Had a cat named Doctor Louise Bourgeois the fourth. She wasn't a real doctor, just it was her first name like the dude who killed President Garfield. No not the man who shot President Garfield, the doctor Doctor who killed him because he didn't believe in bacteria. Yes, he was a real doctor as well, one whose first name was Doctor and he had dirty, fishing in your wound, fingers. I want to say my cat was only like him in name, but she could be a bonehead and I never found out her stance on bacteria.
My cat Pete and my dog Mike think Brad is being a right Brad as well.
I would find it funny if a pet had my name. It could be a running joke!
My animals are Jésus, Soo-ki, Isabeau and Dakota. I've always given my pets human names to show they are valued.
He's just upset because he knows he'll never be as cute as Puppy Brad. Honestly, though, Sarah should watch out: taking things that aren't about you at all (the dog was called Brad long before he was in the picture) as a personal attack is a bit of a red flag.
There is an Irish TV show called Finding Joy that has "Human Aidan" and "Canine Aidan" in it.
I have a silver Bengal named Evie-Jean and yep one of the members of the huge chronic pain group I admin has the same name but she was tickled pink. Human Evie isn’t a jerk
Honestly, it sounds like the sister dodged a bullet. If human Brad couldn't get over the fact that his girlfriend's sister just so happened to have a dog named Brad, who was named before he ever came into his sister's life... then he's far too self-obsessed and takes himself much too seriously. I'm sure there are tons of pets out there with my name, and it doesn't offend me to think about. Both of our pets have 'human' names and we certainly didn't do it with the intent of offending anyone (what a weird thing to think, really), we just picked those names because we liked them.
My boss' name is Tim. I'd worked for this guy for a decade when my SIL got a new dog named Tim. He came with the name, although technically it was "Timber". I had some trouble with it at first -- not insisting anyone else change anything, just calling him "Timber" in my own head -- but after a while it just seemed normal again. Tim my boss, Tim the dog, nothing to do with each other and not at all confusing or weird. It *did* feel weird for a few months though.
Honestly people really need to get the f**k over themselves! Like what an honour it is to share a name with such a wonderful creature such as the dog. Honestly people like these two absolutely hurt my freaking soul! Life's to bloody precious to take yourself this seriously, remember to have fun!
Story time!!! About 15y ago, me and two of my girlfriends saved a litter of three Rottweiler pups from being put down (their parents were siblings but we took them to a vet and they were healthy). So we each got one and found them homes. The guy I gave “mine” to was so happy to have her, that he decided to call her Jenny! It’s the biggest honour I’ve ever received!! I shall be happy to be human-Jenny for the rest of my life! Human-Brad is weird!
NTA Brad-the-boyfriend is a humorless twit if he gets offended that someone named their dog Brad before they met him. He doesn't have exclusive rights to the name, and unless your family were being assholes about it, there's no reason for him to be upset. Normal people would laugh, or joke about it, or form a Brad solidarity pact with the dog or insist it gave them automatic godparent rights. Being offended is probrably a redflag that he's a controlling asshole who looks for reasons to take offence.
All thru elementary school... "we named our dog Brandy!" I ain't your bitch, but I will snap, lol.
Honestly,, who gets made about a pet having the same name as them? Personally, I'd find it really fun and funny.
The sister needs to run away from human Brad as quick as her little legs can carry her.
I think human Brad ran away and is alone. The colony of feral Brads didn't want him.
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One thing of my friends has a dog with the same name as me. I don't get annoyed or take it as some sort of insult because they had the dog before we met. Human brad is definitely TA
My mother's cousin raises donkeys. We went to visit him when I was a teenager. He presented us some of his donkeys, one of them called Julie like my sister. I jokingly said I was miffed no donkey was named like me. So the next year, after birthing season, he called saying that he now had a donkey named Laure. And it made my day.
How sweet! I had a little girl name their hamster after me!
Load More Replies... Human Brad is very childish to be upset. What does it matter if your dog has the same name, somebody somewhere probably has a rat or a crocodile named Brad too.
People can be weird. I had a dog named Tessa in primary school and my English teacher was also named Tessa. She got all upset and offended when she learned my dog's name (some kind of pet essay, I don't remember) saying "You shouldn't name dogs after people". I responded with something along the lines of "oh, I thought Tessa was a dog name. My mom chose it". I didn't get in trouble but that teacher never did like me after that.
Load More Replies... I had a workmate named Robert. My other colleague had a tomcat also named Robert. One day, she was talking about Robert being so elegant and such a wonderful kisser - and my boss only realized she was talking about feline Robert when she explained that he always had to climb on the table to reach her for kisses. Human Robert was also a bit on the shorter side but definitely not THAT short - which is exactly what my boss pointed out. It took him several seconds to understand why we were all dying from laughter!!
We have three sets of friends. One with a little girl named skye, one with a little boy named skye and one with the best doggo named skye. Both kids are a bit shy but doggo skye is the best girl who loves pet pets. Anyone who yells “skye come here” at a bbq with invariably be greeted with mixed reviews but you will 100% of the time at least end up with a sweet mamma dog snoot in your lap.
I would be honored to find a pet named Michelle! And BRAVO Brad #1 for keeping your cool when you heard a human douche has your name!
I feel like most of my pets have always had human names. I thought most people did this. We had a child 2 years ago, named Jack. We went to visit our old neighbor, while there, remembered her dog was named Jack. We thought it was hilarious and joked we named the kid after him.
Twat. Your sister dodged a bullet. Or at least a snowball. And Henry, Danny and Max agree
My cats have human names, Merida ( yes after the Disney Princess) and Owen. And in Russia its normal to give animals human names, though usually old fashion ones like Kuzia or Frosya
LOL "He is a blight upon all Brads". I don't have to worry, my fur babies came with stripper names that I never changed when I adopted them. Maybe I'll need to worry one day if I meet a Sapphire, but I'd hope she'd be honored to share her name with a beautiful blue-eyed husky.
I have two friends who have a dog with my first name. When they told me their dog was named after me I felt honored. I love it! And btw neither of these two friends know each other. Just randomly honored by both 😄
There's a toad named Viviane above your comment!😂
Load More Replies... Unless she named the dog after the boyfriend (which she clearly didn't) he's a complete baby. And her sister should have been told well I'm sorry I didn't psychically know that at some point in the future after I named him you were going to date a Brad.
We had a cat named Abigail. I was working at a Kinkos and a young woman gave me the same name for her copy order. I smiled and said we had a cat named Abigail, and the look on her face was as if I had just said something extremely inappropriate. Personally, I would be delighted if somebody's pet had the same name as me, but she apparently saw it as an insult.
That's crazy! My cousins were taking votes on names for their new cat and I liked Abby because I had a friend Abbey and she thought it was funny!
Load More Replies... The human brad in the story, was he still in leading strings to get that upset over a pet's name? Like when you tell a toddler they can't drink the bleach, so they throw a tantrum?
I’m Kathy, and several years back I had a roommate whose boyfriend had a Rottweiler named Cathy, a really wonderful dog, who he named long before I even met my roommate—-hell, a couple years before I even moved into the area. Though there were several times when there was a bit of confusion as to which one of us he was talking to, I still really liked having an unintentional canine namesake, especially one as beautiful and sweet as Cathy the Rottie.
I accidentally gave my dog the same name as my elderly next door neighbor. I knew him as 'Mr. X" so it was completely unintentional, but it was a little awkward after I figured it out and would call my dog's name.
In Lithuania, my name (Greta) is same as dog command 'heel' (translated to lithuanian also greta, just pronounced a little different). Should I be offended somehow too? :D
My dogs Barney and Stuart think Brad is a fine name. And Brad #2 should get over it.
My stepson is named Porter, and my brother (whose name is BRAD!) has a dog called Porter, too. Neither was named knowing the other even existed. Plus we live 3k miles apart, so never any confusion. Never heard whining about it from anyone!
he should take a cue from the josh battle that happened that one time. y'know the one.
Good friend has a big ol' dog named Kevin. We're both 58. Seems he just liked the name.
Ummm didn't the sister already know you had a dog named Brad? Wouldn't she have laughed when first meeting Human Brad? Also my father's name is Brad watch out. (and he's not THAT kind of Brad lol) My Macaw is named Wendy so if there's any Wendys reading this, please let me know now if you're offended and we'll hash this out now.
Normal with human names for animals in denmark. My rabbit called bodil - normal female name. Another rabbit called Joakim and a dog called Felix.... They are even names of two from our royal family.
By the way... My boyfriend when I was young named all his mother-pigs after me and my sister... I have allways been honored....
Load More Replies... NTA and the replies are hilarious. My cat had a human name. My MIL asked how Carl was doing and I started talking about how he hasn't had any seizures but he's been really constipated again...by the look on her face I soon realized she meant my uncle. Luckily the guy I worked with named Carl was not a Brad and had a good sense of humor about me asking if he'd pooped lately!
Current varmints are: Holly (dog), Andie and Ginger (cats). Past beloved varmints have included: Stanley, Joebob and Darlene. (dog, cat, cat). Oddly enough, our (human) daughter's name is Cat (short for Catarina, the italian spelling of my favorite Shakespearian character). Never thought that was strange until somebody mentioned it.
I am always hearing people shouting my name, in fact calling the dog of course. Very common dog name, and you can probably guess from my initial which one it is.
Load More Replies... My Grandmother passed away last year and one of the highlights of her 90+ years was when she was a teenager and found out her sister's boyfriend had a pet cow the same name as her.
My BF called all his previous cats (there were many, as I understand some of them were half-strays and left their house as they saw fit), aaaand one of them had my father's and my stepfather's name (yup -both have the same name). Hilarious if you ask me, looks like bitchy Brad has no sense of humor.
Why wouldn't that have come up in convo with the sister before they got there?! That would have been the first fun fact I would have told a new guy. Also, my dog's name is Gus!
My husband and I would are planning, that of we ever get a new female dog, we will name it after my friend...😁
My name is Sarah. I am offended that his sister's name is also Sarah. The nerve! How care she disrespect me like that?
My dog's name is Edward. If ANYONE had a problem with his name being Edward- I don't need that kind of negativity in my life. I never dated an Edward, but if I had, I can't imagine them being upset about my dog having the same name. And yes, he's named after Edward Cullen. Full nerd over here. :) IMG_4439-6...13b6d2.jpg
Mt best friend has two dogs with the same names as my husband and me (dogs predate friendship). It gets confusing sometimes, but neither of us threw a hissy fit and demanded she rename her dogs. Ugh, Brad.
My husband's uncle had a pair of greyhounds named Steve and Bob. I think it was Bob that amused me the most.
Did the sister not know OP had a dog named Brad? They must not be terribly close for her to not be aware of that before bringing human Brad over.
My dog’s name is William, and he’s way more of a good boy than any human William I’ve encountered.
My name isn't super common (for humans), but I have met horses, dogs, cats, goats, and even a pig with my name. If someone's pet name offends you than I can guarantee you are the problem. If the animal was named "for" the person in order to be hurtful, then it might be different - like I have a donkey and My sisters boyfriend is an ass and I then name it for that reason and then make sure they know - d**k move. This - not even close.
If I ever meet an animal named Faith we will become the best of friends.
Well, my dogs, Madeline, Maggie and Parker think a dog named Brad is pretty okay
My b-in-l's aunt had a cat with my name. Bad tempered little thing. I thought it was funny.
Had a cat named Doctor Louise Bourgeois the fourth. She wasn't a real doctor, just it was her first name like the dude who killed President Garfield. No not the man who shot President Garfield, the doctor Doctor who killed him because he didn't believe in bacteria. Yes, he was a real doctor as well, one whose first name was Doctor and he had dirty, fishing in your wound, fingers. I want to say my cat was only like him in name, but she could be a bonehead and I never found out her stance on bacteria.
My cat Pete and my dog Mike think Brad is being a right Brad as well.
I would find it funny if a pet had my name. It could be a running joke!
My animals are Jésus, Soo-ki, Isabeau and Dakota. I've always given my pets human names to show they are valued.
He's just upset because he knows he'll never be as cute as Puppy Brad. Honestly, though, Sarah should watch out: taking things that aren't about you at all (the dog was called Brad long before he was in the picture) as a personal attack is a bit of a red flag.
There is an Irish TV show called Finding Joy that has "Human Aidan" and "Canine Aidan" in it.
I have a silver Bengal named Evie-Jean and yep one of the members of the huge chronic pain group I admin has the same name but she was tickled pink. Human Evie isn’t a jerk
Honestly, it sounds like the sister dodged a bullet. If human Brad couldn't get over the fact that his girlfriend's sister just so happened to have a dog named Brad, who was named before he ever came into his sister's life... then he's far too self-obsessed and takes himself much too seriously. I'm sure there are tons of pets out there with my name, and it doesn't offend me to think about. Both of our pets have 'human' names and we certainly didn't do it with the intent of offending anyone (what a weird thing to think, really), we just picked those names because we liked them.
My boss' name is Tim. I'd worked for this guy for a decade when my SIL got a new dog named Tim. He came with the name, although technically it was "Timber". I had some trouble with it at first -- not insisting anyone else change anything, just calling him "Timber" in my own head -- but after a while it just seemed normal again. Tim my boss, Tim the dog, nothing to do with each other and not at all confusing or weird. It *did* feel weird for a few months though.
Honestly people really need to get the f**k over themselves! Like what an honour it is to share a name with such a wonderful creature such as the dog. Honestly people like these two absolutely hurt my freaking soul! Life's to bloody precious to take yourself this seriously, remember to have fun!
Story time!!! About 15y ago, me and two of my girlfriends saved a litter of three Rottweiler pups from being put down (their parents were siblings but we took them to a vet and they were healthy). So we each got one and found them homes. The guy I gave “mine” to was so happy to have her, that he decided to call her Jenny! It’s the biggest honour I’ve ever received!! I shall be happy to be human-Jenny for the rest of my life! Human-Brad is weird!
NTA Brad-the-boyfriend is a humorless twit if he gets offended that someone named their dog Brad before they met him. He doesn't have exclusive rights to the name, and unless your family were being assholes about it, there's no reason for him to be upset. Normal people would laugh, or joke about it, or form a Brad solidarity pact with the dog or insist it gave them automatic godparent rights. Being offended is probrably a redflag that he's a controlling asshole who looks for reasons to take offence.
All thru elementary school... "we named our dog Brandy!" I ain't your bitch, but I will snap, lol.
Honestly,, who gets made about a pet having the same name as them? Personally, I'd find it really fun and funny.
The sister needs to run away from human Brad as quick as her little legs can carry her.
I think human Brad ran away and is alone. The colony of feral Brads didn't want him.
Load More Replies... One thing of my friends has a dog with the same name as me. I don't get annoyed or take it as some sort of insult because they had the dog before we met. Human brad is definitely TA
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