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Certainly I had disturbing reports as to Alan the soft toy dodo's behaviour at Leeds last year. I was told that he was flirting outrageously with girl dodos even younger than himself, eating in a less than decorous fashion and getting sauce all over his face, and was seen with his beak in someone's wine glass, all despite his having been only 3 months old at the time.
Jasper picked the name himself (although it's certainly possible that Mari had input).
The first I heard of the name was in this Fforde News Fflash, which appeared a day or two after the signing.
15th April 03
+++ Fforde News Fflash: Fforde, after giving a talk in Dayton, Ohio, was presented with a soft toy V1.2 Dodo by Magda, a Fforde Fforum Stalwart. Fforde was reputedly described as delighted by the gift, and has named the new addition to his office 'Alan'. (Reporter: 'Scoop' Slattersthwaite, Salford Daily Eyestrain) +++