The continuation of ‘Tiki’s Story’…
Although Tiki had spent so much time at the vet, he was only in the beginning stages of his recovery. For another month or so, Michelle, and some of the staff at that time, would take turns caring for Tiki. He still could not walk due to his injury, so they would carry him around on a large, sturdy platform in order to get him around for the time being. They would carry him inside and outside several times a day, and he would just hang out with Michelle in her office in his spare time. After almost two months of not being able to walk, they knew it was time. It was time to begin teaching him how to walk again. They could see it in his eyes just how much he wanted to walk, and he was determined to become mobile again. They would encourage him to walk by crouching down a small distance away from him, and they would call him to them. Although he would cry out at times due to the pain at first, he eventually began to drag himself using his front legs. He did this for some time to get around, but over time he finally began to use his back legs again. Of course, it wasn’t perfect at first. He would keep his back legs together and he would practically hop around. This was still so, so far from where he started. He was making so much progress then one day, in the blink of an eye, he began walking on all fours. It really goes to show you that with a little hope, you can truly do anything.
Originally, we thought Tiki would be adopted out, but we had grown far too close to him. He was apart of our family now, and everyone had so much love for him. He was simply the one, and he’s been with us ever-since. As you can see, this was not a story that could be summoned up in just a few sentences. Did you know that in the U.S alone, approximately 1.2 million dogs are hit on the roads each year? This is a staggering, heart-breaking number. This is just another reason why Tiki’s story was so important for us to tell. It is important for us to be reminded of how much power we have to help not only people, but animals too. We love you Tiki, and we thank you for bringing so much love and laughter to our lives each and every day. You inspire us, and our lives wouldn’t be the same without you!
Summer is closing in on us and for the staff here at Good Dog that means new additions! Before holidays or the busy summer time we like to bring on new employees to help with the extra work load. I’m sure you have seen some new faces around as we brought on around 5 people before our spring break time for the hotel, daycare and even the front desk.
A love for all animals is a must when working here, our managers put a lot of thought into every new hire before they bring them on to our team. When you are hired at Good Dog you are brought in to a family. We go camping together, support each other at races, have birthday barbecues, pool parties and more! The dogs become an addition to our own family’s as well. We have pictures of them on our phones, share their stories at home, and come in on our days off just to snuggle a few.
Now if you have been coming here a long time I’m sure you know some of our veteran employees by name now!
There is Lucas who works up front with his blond curls you can see from a mile away. He has been with Good Dog working in daycare, hotel and now front desk for over 6 years now!
Mary started working for us back in September of 2007. She knows just about every dogs name and is always snapping pictures in daycare and hotel.
Rebecca is the “mom” to everyone here at Good Dog since she started working with us in 2008. She usually can be seen giving kisses to all the small dogs in daycare.
Jenny is our office manager and started with us six years ago where she has done hotel, daycare and now you can see her at the front desk.
Sam our facility manager started out in hotel over 7 years ago! He now makes sure the building is in good shape, everything is stocked and he even takes on our Sunday hotel grooming.
Then you have our excellent general manager Michelle who was with Good Dog before it even had walls in 2005. She started out in daycare and now keeps everyone in line, employees and dogs alike.
Now I may be a little biased, but I know our staff is top notch! The love and compassion everyone here has for the animals is amazing. Sixteen of our employees have been with us for over a year. With that kind of experience you know your getting the best care for your dog! Check out our website to read up on our new employees!
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It was the perfect nap for dreaming … a snooze so long I had time to fantasize about everything my little doggie mind could imagine. In one dream, I was frolicking in a field. In another I was eating a steak dinner. In my favorite, I got braces to fix my underbite. But as happy as my dreams were, my pain was equally awful when the nap ended.
If memory serves, I woke up at the doctor’s office in a tiny crate, but the lack of space didn’t matter. I hurt so much that I couldn’t move an inch. My medicine-induced snooze ended with a jolt back to reality and painful memories of getting hit by a car. The doctor said I had a bad hip fracture – bad enough that he insisted I stay with him for a month. It would take that long for him to manage my pain and get me up and running again.
And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. The pain was paralyzing, so everything was difficult: eating, scratching, going potty, even sleeping. I made a habit of crying for attention here and there, which I’m pretty darn good at. The highlight of my days, however, was my human visitor. Her name was Jennifer, and she was the one who rescued me from the street. My recovery would’ve been much harder without her.
Getting back on my feet seemed to take eons. When Jennifer finally picked me up from the doctor’s office, my front paws worked well enough to drag my body around, but the back side of me was still immobile. Nonetheless, I couldn’t have been happier to take a ride in her car. Our trip seemed to last forever but was totally worth it — our final destination was a brick building filled with lots of people and even more dogs.
I immediately felt at home and plopped myself behind a big desk, where people started waiting on me hand and foot. And the best part? Happy dogs came in and out of this building all day long. It took me a while, but I finally realized I was at a doggie hotel — a magical place where I was always meeting new friends.
Even though it was painful, I got up everyday to greet dogs, test out their big fluffy beds when they weren’t looking, and get treats and attention from people. Honestly, it felt like I won the lottery and I never wanted it to end. All I knew was that I loved this place, and the people seemed to love me, so I took things day by day and just hoped everything would work out for the best.
To be continued next week …
Hello! My name is Ashleigh. I am a new member here at Good Dog Hotel & Spa and I absolutely love it here!!! I graduated from South Port High this past Spring and I started with the Good Dog family in June 2011. I love working in daycare and seeing all of the dogs’ personalities shine! It really makes my day to play with them in the morning. We have such a great pack of dogs! Riley and Rucker are in the picture with me because they are my favorite dogs!! Of course I love everyone else too but these two big furry babies just always make me smile!!
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Hi! My name is Nick Zachidny. I’m one of the newest members of Good Dog Hotel & Spa and I love it here! I work in Hotel and Daycare and the best part is; I get to bring my dog to work! My dog’s name is Diego and he’s a “fluffy Pit-mix”. I think he’s mixed with either Chow or Golden Retriever. Either way, he’s very sweet! I grew up in Indianapolis and graduated from the Hope Academy in 2009. Dogs have always been a big part of my life and this job is just perfect for me!
Hello, my name is Brittany!
I recently moved here to Indianapolis from a small town by the name of Wabash.
I am currently a student at Herron School of Art and Design were I am studying painting as my major.
I have always had a strong love for my four legged friends and I am extremely thankful to have found a job that allows me to spend each day with happy wagging tails!
