The most popular name for man’s best friend in Tacoma only makes sense: Buddy. There are 178 of them licensed in Tacoma and Fircrest, according to a News Tribune anaysis of the city’s database of animal licenses

The most wonderful thing about Tigger is he’s not the only one.

There are 75 of those on record in Tacoma, making it the city’s most popular cat name. It’s followed closely by Smokey at 72.

But there are 202 cats licensed with no name.

Then there’s Just-A-Cat. Just-A-Cat should not be confused with the no-names. She actually has a name.

It’s Just-A-Cat.

Deborah Hamilton found her 17 years ago while attending a barbecue. Just-A-Cat was the runt of the litter, and the only kitten who had not been adopted. Hamilton saw a 5-year-old child kicking the kitten and hitting her head. She couldn’t bear to watch the assault, and decided to take the kitten home to rescue it.

Others at the party were making fun of the skinny runt. Hamilton stuck up for her. “I said, “She’s just a cat,’” she said. “That was it.”

That’s kind of how Fido got his name. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

For generations, the name “Fido” had served as the default dog name for journalists.

And yet there’s only one Fido in Tacoma. He’s a 1-year-old golden retriever-lab-and-chow mix who belongs to the Nugent family.

“The girls named him,” Pamela Nugent said. Her husband suggested the name, and her daughters – ages 9, 8, and 5 – quickly settled on it despite their mother’s protest.

“I said, ‘No, not Fido.’”

But Fido it was.

A joyride through the database reveals other interesting facts. Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma owns an akita-springer mix named Kirby – after the vacuum cleaner, not state Rep. Steve, D-Tacoma.

Someone named their dog Sammy Hagar.

Someone named their cat Dumb Sh – well, let’s just hope it responds to “Here, kitty, kitty.”

And lots of people go for walks every night with a Buddy.