Silly Little Pequod got his name when Elizabeth's sister came to Central Florida for a visit, her seven-year-old son in tow. Up to his usual counter surfing antics, Silly Little Pequod grabbed something he shouldn't have—a paper towel, a sponge, a spatula—and Elizabeth turned around and cried, "You silly little shit! Give that back!"
"Elizabeth!" Madeline chastised, pointing to Joseph, her son, unfortunately within earshot. Joseph began giggling and chanting, "Silly little shit! Silly little shit! Silly little shit!"
Madeline rushed to fix the situation, explaining to Joseph that his aunt had said "silly little ship" instead. Joseph happily began screaming "Silly little ship! Silly little ship!" to oblige his mother, but Madeline was still unsatisfied since, if he began the chant at Catholic school, the nuns might not hear the distinction between "ship" and "shit." And so Elizabeth's basenji became Silly Little Pequod, named after the boat in that dreadful novel, Moby Dick.
I am always ready to help with the dishes!
