August 9, 2013
Dear Diary,


Today was a roller coaster of emotion, but as always, I handled it with my customary epic fortitude.


It started out like any other Friday. Work was as busy as ever – so many dogs were checking in, it made my head spin. Per usual, I held everything together with my shrewd management acumen. Had I not been there, I’m not sure how the Good Dog staff would’ve made it through the morning.


At 11:30, things started to slow down and Mandy came through the door. I didn’t expect Mandy and Jenny’s shift to start until 1:00, so I was a bit surprised, but she scooped me up and tossed me in the car. I’m always pumped for car rides, so things were looking up. I thrust my head out the window and let the breeze hit my face, and life was looking beautiful. Or so I thought.


Unfortunately, our destination was the vet’s office. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Dr. Dietz and everyone at Daisy Lane. In fact, Dr. Dietz is atop my “favorite humans” list. However, trips to the vet often involve needles, and I despise needles. I absolutely loathe them. Come at me with a simple nail clipper, and I’m definitely hard to handle. Come at me with a needle, and I’m a total nightmare. I tried running for the door, but to no avail. It was just an embarrassing display of scuffling and slipping around the lobby before I ended up back on the table.


But then something amazing happened … the needle didn’t hurt. The whole ordeal was easy-breezy and a total non-issue. Miss Linda gave me a quick hug, Dr. Dietz put something into the back of my neck, and I took it like a champ and didn’t make a peep. As it turns out, Dr. Dietz was simply micro-chipping me. I’m told this is a very important step in keeping me safe, because if I ever get lost, any vet can scan my chip and my owner’s information pops up.


Those who know me might scoff at the idea of me getting lost. First, I have 30-some people looking after me 24/7, so slipping away is unlikely. Second (and most importantly), I’m not known for my speed. My co-worker Lucas (who looks like a surfer but is quite the runner) could catch me in no time, even if I have a 20-minute head start. But Michelle and Mr. Matt insisted I be chipped, because life is uncertain. There are plenty of stories about dogs that get lost. With a chip, they go straight home to their families. Without a chip, the outlook is grim. Dr. Dietz also emphasized how important it is to actually register your dog’s chip online. If you don’t register your contact information, the chip is useless. Mandy said the registration was so easy, it took like 45.2 seconds.


So in summary, I encountered my first friendly needle today. It was pain-free for everyone involved, and after a little research, I discovered micro-chipping can take place at any vet, Humane Society, or the F.A.C.E. low-cost spay/neuter clinic. As a former stray, I have some experience feeling lost and alone, and I wouldn’t wish that kind of sadness on anyone. So now I’m on a mission to make sure every dog gets micro-chipped!


Until next time,
Tiki