United States of Tara Inspired Dog Names

Buck was made famous in the book and movie The Call of the Wild. The story is centered around Buck, a St. Bernard-Scotch Shepherd mix who lives in Santa Clara Valley with a rich judged and his family. Life changes when Buck is stolen by Manuel, the gardener's assistant. Manuel sells Buck for money to gamble with, and Buck is sent to Seattle in a crate without any food. When he is released from the crate, Buck attacks the man known only as the "man in the red sweater." The man hits Buck until he complies. Then, Buck is sold off to two men in Canada who train him to become a sled dog. After learning how to survive in the cold and as a member of the pack, Buck is involved in a rivalry between the lead dog Spitz, who is later killed by the pack after losing a fight to Buck. Buck then becomes the lead of the pack. Buck continues to bounce between owners until his final owner is murdered. At this point, Buck joins a wolf pack that he had previously encountered and socialized with in the forest. This is when it is said that he answered the "call of the wild."

Max is another common dog name from the United States of Tara. One of the most famous dogs named Max is an Old English Sheepdog from Disney's The Little Mermaid. Max is a dog on Prince Eric's ship when Ariel is watching the crew on Eric's birthday. Max takes an immediate liking to Ariel. Max can sniff out evil, and tries to warn Eric that he is about to marry Ursula in her human form as Vanessa. Max also has parts in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, The Little Mermaid: The Series, and 101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure.

A second Max is known as the companion of everyone's favorite Christmas villain the Grinch. Max is featured in all versions of the story, including the book, television special, movie, and musical. Even though max only has two speaking lines throughout the television special, he captured the hearts of viewers due to the Grinch's cruelty toward the little brown dog. He is portrayed with droopy, dark brown ears. The Grinch forces Max to help him steal presents from the homes of the townspeople, and Max wears a stick antler on his head to look like a reindeer.