Ask any dog owner, and they may tell you their pooches are just like family. That may explain this year's "Top Dog Names" list by Veterinary Pet  Insurance.

Where dog owners seem to be ditching traditional dog names, for more human names. Boyd Huppert has the story.

From it's database. Spot and Sparky are 'sooo' yesterday. Max, Molly, Buddy and Bella are where it's at.  "My kids are on the list, my son's name is Jake, and my daughter is Bella, so  number one and number five."

Folks at the Animal Humane Society believe the name trend is a good thing reflecting the growing importance of pets in our lives. "People see these animals as part of their families now. They need a name like  your child needs a name." 
And when staff members name a stray, they'll opt for Cherie... Barney... or the Oh-so-popular Bella, more often than not. "There's a lot of Bellas that pass thru our doors." 

Besides, it's hard not to giggle when someone calls for a dog named Jim. "I think human names are funny, actually. They are funny. Whatever works, you know. "