The Magicians Inspired Dog Names

The Magicians is an American television show based on the novel of the same name, written by Lev Grossman, and centers on the life of student magicians as they try to become better at their craft while facing some challenges along the way. The show’s main protagonist is Quentin Coldwater, a student magician. The name Quentin is also recognizable in the canine world, who is more popularly known as The Miracle Dog.

Quentin is the name of a Missouri dog who miraculously survived a St. Louis gas chamber. His story began on August 10, 2003, when he and seven other dogs were set to be euthanized at the St. Louis city pound via gas chamber. Apparently, Quentin’s owners had left him at an animal shelter in the city due to the fact that they were moving to an apartment where pets were not allowed. Eight days later, Quentin, together with seven other dogs, were placed in an airtight box and pumped with carbon monoxide for fifteen minutes. Later on when the box was opened, it was revealed that all the dogs died with the exception of Quentin, who was left unharmed by the gas and survived with no ill effects.

The story about Quentin’s miraculous survival spread like wildfire and became national news. Randy Grim, the founder of Stray Rescue, was able to save Quentin. According to him, there were more than 700 applicants who wanted to adopt the pooch. In the end, Grim decided to adopt Quentin himself. His amazing story became a focal point in Stray Rescue’s campaign to end animal gas chambers.

He and his new best friend started making public appearances all over the country in an effort to raise awareness regarding the challenges faced by stray dogs. Moreover, they campaigned heavily for humane treatment of all animals and spearheaded the no-kill movement. His personal experience was also vital in closing down numerous animal gas chambers in the country. Quentin became a celebrity not just in St. Louis, Missouri but in all of the United States.

Quentin was also the star of his owner’s 2005 non-fiction book, Miracle Dog: How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row, which details the life of Quentin from the time he was rescued up until his role as an advocate for no-kill animal shelters. In 2013, however, Quentin no longer appeared in public events. On October 2018, his owner Randy Grim shared via social media that Quentin has passed away due to a stroke. While it is a sad occurrence, Grim states that Quentin lived his best life and was a key player in promoting animal welfare.