My parents used to call their answering machine "George". If someone called while we were having dinner, for example, they'd say "Let George answer it."
I had a similar experience when I was a vet tech. Lizzie was a the sweetest little Westie you ever saw. She developed a condition that she would need daily medication for. Her owners had her put to sleep. I wasn't there that day or I would have taken her. I quit the next day.