Call Me Moxy

So for the literature fanatics out there, you should recognize that line as a spoof on the first line of a rather popular, classic book.

Today's post is not about literature.

You may find it difficult to find the definition for "Moxy" as in the phrase, "You've got Moxy." That would be because "Moxy" is a misspelling of a word that's not so much a noun as it is a brand name. It is more-appropriately spelled, "You've got Moxie." Moxie is actually a brand of soda invented in the 1880s (yes, that's 18 not 19). For those of you wondering what the devil "Moxy" (or Moxie) means, Meriam-Webster will be of little help as they only remind us that Moxie is a brand name. They give synonyms: pep and courage. A thesaurus would lead you to a synonym set including: adventure, courage, valor, stamina, guts, and backbone.

As a side note, I've always wanted people to say to me, "Tyler, now you've got Moxie."

Today's post is not about spelling, definitions, grammar, or even advertising—all notorious fascinations of mine.

Of trivial historic interest is that Moxie is the official soft drink of the great state of Maine; also the phrase, “You’ve got Moxie” comes from the heavy advertising of Moxie possessing the ability to calm one’s nerves. Hence the ability to gain control of one’s nerves is often referred to as having obtained Moxie. Thus the synonyms “courage,” “determination,” and “fearlessness.”

Today’s post is also not about history—another of my interests.

Today’s post is about a well-mannered, short-haired Chihuahua who left California because the shelter where she stayed was overflowing with animals. It’s about how she was scheduled to be euthanized, but somebody came up with some cash to transport her to another facility…in Utah. About how she sat in her cage for days, patiently enduring the yapping of the Chihuahuas and other small dogs as they vied for the attention of would-be adopters. And about how a family with four little girls walked through the door one day and their dad looked at all the other miniature animals and decided to take her for a walk. It’s the story of how she came to be adopted by these Oremites; and how they named her, “Moxy.”

Meet Moxy:

Yes, she's got plenty of attitude, and she's quite the adventurer. She's two and a half years old, and some say she looks like a mix between a Chihuahua and a Dachshund. She's got a nice little asymmetric white stripe over her shoulders. You'll also notice her snout has two white patches—also asymmetrical. She appears to be house-trained, although I've already caught her peeing on the carpet. The girls love her and her first name (supplied by Tyler) was "Foxy" because she looks like a fox. I was later overruled in favor of the arguably cuter and cooler name of "Moxy." So as not to be overruled again, I immediately engraved them on her tags. No question now what her name is.

P.S. And now it is indisputable that I do, indeed, have Moxy.