[HPforGrownups] Padfoot (was: Naming Wormtail (was Scabbers at Hagrid's))

[SALeathem at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 29133

In a message dated 12/11/2001 17:00:41 GMT Standard Time, Calypso8604 at aol.com 
writes:

<< Padfoot is Padfoot because he has padded feet,  >>

Theres another reason why Padfoot is Padfoot and it's related to an old 
belief regarding big black dogs (as Sirius is when he transforms), and also 
Sirius' name.

First bit, I'm guessing is common knowledge... second bit important padfoot 
bit.
Sirius Black could be taken to mean Black Dog. Sirius is taken from the star 
in the constellation Canis Major. It's more common name is the Dog Star. 
Brightest star in the sky, it's about 8.7 light years from earth. That covers 
why he transforms to a black dog.

As for the Padfoot part - 

Big black dogs have often been seen as either demons or protectors in Europe 
throughout the ages. The various names eventually resulted in the term Shaggy 
Dog... which er... isn't all that demon like to me but anyway. This all ties 
in with the Grim in the wizarding world being a big black dog. 
Apparently in parts of Staffordshire however, the big black dogs were more 
commonly seen as protectors, and given the name Padfoot. They would appear by 
lone walkers at night, by the gates to grave yards and churches and other 
various sacred places, places where they might be of help to people. They 
tend to be larger than your average black dog, appear suddenly and disappear 
just as quickly. Often when people are in trouble or feeling a little ill at 
ease in their surroundings. 
Padfoot was called Padfoot then, because that's what he is/was. A protector 
and a friend. 

In PoA at the end he says to Harry (in a letter) he's sorry if he scared him 
just before the Knight bus arrived, but he wanted to get a glimpse of him 
before he travelled north. I think Sirius was checking up on Harry and making 
sure he was ok, and probably wouldn't have left until he knew Harry wasn't in 
danger anymore (ie: till the Knight Bus arrived). As a dog is it possible he 
could have called the bus, or do you have to do that with a wand? 

Sara