Great story.
Hearing about your story reminded me that my ex in laws always had Jack Russell Terriers.
I wonder if people find this strange or not.
They got their first one and named it Jake.
After Jake eventually died, they bought another Jack Russell Terrier right away, named him Jake as well.
After that one passed.
They did it again.
Right away bought another JRT, named him Jake.
Is this common?
No, but "King of Queens" had an episode about the subject.