How did you get 'Yours' ?

[Alice]

And a big snout ????????????

[Poledragon]

Poledragon came about years and years and years ago, and I've been that name for so long that I'd probably answer to it IRL. It's a combination of a character from a favourite book and the realisation that the last three letters of her name were the first three of dragon. Yeah, I know, I had been drinking.

And no, it has nothing at all to do with pole dancing. Or any other kind of pole for that matter. But if you see a Poledragon on any other forum, you can pretty much guarantee it's me.

And I drew the avatar about 9 years ago whilst playing with the newest Corel Draw that had just come out.

[vicki lorraine]

as a newbie i was just keen to get going on the vine so hence mine is completely predictable. Is it possible to change it? If so, how would i do it?

[Peter]

Guess what?

Yes, nom-de-web is my real name.

The avatar, lifted from the owners website, is to try and publicise a charity which did much to help my late sister with the isolation caused by her advancing deafness.

Liz had been going deaf from childhood and that coupled with her bi-polar depression was causing her to become isolated and depressed. Hearing Dogs gave her the wonderful Blitzen, a German Shorthaired Pointer, who was donated to the charity by his breeder after a traffic accident. Blitzen has a plastic hip as a result of being run over and refuses to walk with consistent style, so was no longer capable of being shown. Liz used to take him to places and explain how the dog could alert her to doorbell, fire alarm and telephone, more often she found herself explaining to total strangers what her dog's logo'd jacket meant.

Tomorrow is ten months since the depression finally took Liz from us, Blitzen was retired to see out his days, he is twelve now, with my brother-in-law where he is now helping in a different way and I am trying to quietly do a bit of the publicity my sister used to do.

So do remember Hearing Dogs if you want to help a worthwhile charity.

[pigletwillie]

like yours???

[kirsty b]

I'm very boring. My name is Kirsty and b is the first letter of my surname.

Avatar is my dog, Boo and one of the kittens we had last year but sadly lost at a month old but that is one of my favourits pics.

I have a different username on another forum I use, because you are advised against using real names and thats kpeanut29.
29 because I am, kp for my first two initials and the peanut because my parents siad that a developing baby in the womb looks like a peanut and that was my nickname as a bump hence initials kp. I really wish I'd thought of that when I first joined the vine!

[Alice]

I don't think you can change it Vicki. I think you would have to re register. But I'm sure L J will let you know. Anyway, whats wrong with the name you have.

[vicki lorraine]

concerned it may be a little predictable. But now it says 'seedling' so i am feeling quite chuffed today.

[Lesley Jay]

We will only change usernames if an email address is used as the username by mistake.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Thank you for your post Peter. I never realised before how important hearing dogs are. I have occasionally seem them on TV, but your post has brought it home to me how vital they are, in real terms. I'm sorry to hear of your loss, but hope that Blitzen brings some comfort to you. I'm sure that the Grapes will remember Hearing Dogs when thinking about donating to charity. Can you let us have details of their HQ? DDL

[pigletwillie]

Oh Lj you spoilsport, I wanted to add an S to mine

[Peter]

Dexter, glad to, http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/ , it is such a sensible extension from Guide Dogs for the Blind and offers a role for small intelligent dogs.

[Peter]

Oh Lj you spoilsport, I wanted to add an S to mine

Would that be Piglet_Swillie ?

[dexterdoglancashire]

Dexter, glad to, http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/ , it is such a sensible extension from Guide Dogs for the Blind and offers a role for small intelligent dogs.

Thanks Peter, will have a look. DDL

[Weavie]

Thanks for info on hearing dogs - will be looking, learning and giving. As for my name Weavie. It's actually the name I gave to my lovely lawn mower. My OH's name is Steve so I also call him Stevie Weavie. My real name is Terrie; I much prefer Weavie so there you have it - sorry not very exciting.