"The more time I spend around people, the more I love dogs," Joy Condon says with a grin. Sparkling eyes, a quick wit and a great love of dogs pretty much sums up Mrs Condon.
Arriving at her small flat in Beach Haven she introduces us to her "dog". Mackie is a large porcelain dachshund.
It was named after her first dog and it's also her mother's maiden name, something Mrs Condon's mum wasn't too happy about.
Dog names are something she knows a lot about. Mrs Condon has compiled more than 60,000 of them.
She started breeding pure-bred dachschunds in 1951 as a member of the New Zealand Kennel Club and it didn't take too long to run out of names.
"At the time, we had to give two names per dog when registering them. It doesn't take long before you're poring through dictionaries looking for ideas."
By 1969, she started collecting names alphabetically and the idea was in the back of her head to keep them for a book. Which is exactly what she has done. She originally approached publishers who weren't interested. So she has gone it alone.
"It's to be used as a reference book. We have telephone books and dictionaries why not a book of names?
"You can find a name that suits your name.
"If you have a bulldog, you would want a more macho name."
While the average family might not run out of pet names in a lifetime, it can be a struggle for professionals.
"The horse racing industry will be very interested and I know of dog breeders that are waiting for publication."
Mrs Condon isn't quite certain yet when the book will be released. It's largely finished but she is waiting for a friend to finish off the cartoon for the front cover.
Her favourites?
I'm Red Boots, Gin 'n Ginger, Midnite Caper, More Magic, Witchery, I'm So Saucy, All Spice, Merry Pippin and I'm Mary Contrary.
Joy's book knocks spots off dogs' names
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