Asa here.  Mom and I both have our annual physicals this week!  However, whereas I look forward to seeing my veterinarian, Mom is a bit reluctant to see her doctor.  What’s not to love?  To show her there is nothing to fear, I decided to invite Mom to tag along on my yearly wellness checkup at the vet’s office.

From the moment I entered the waiting room, the receptionist happily greeted me by name.  She complimented how handsome I am, and marveled that it has been a year already.  Today she even came out from behind the desk to pet me!  Ok, to be honest I wish she would do that every time.  Despite being a big Dire Wolf, I’m still too short to see over the tall desk, and it can be a bit unnerving hearing her voice but not seeing her.  Maybe that’s why Mom is reluctant going to her doctor’s office?  Maybe Mom can’t see over the reception desk?  Anyways after the initial hellos, it was time to get the the task at paw.

I’m ushered into my very own exam room to wait for the vet tech.  I took this pause in the action to show Mom around the room, pointing out areas of interest that she should look for when visiting her doctor.  Such as the treat jar prominently placed on the counter, or the intriguing smells coming from the floor.  Perhaps if she sniffs her exam room floor, she’d recognize a friend who has been there.  Take for example, I can smell that my neighbor Odie was recently there.  Finally the vet tech came to take me to be weighed.

Now Mom and I have vastly different opinions on the weighing process.  I love it!  While I proudly stand on the scale, the other vet techs, veterinarians, and staff popped their heads in to marvel at my rugged good looks and perfect weight.  Perhaps that’s where Mom’s doctor goes wrong?  Maybe if there were more people to witness Mom standing there getting weighed she would feel better about herself?  Next I had to get my blood drawn.  Mom hates needles, and I have to admit I’m not a big fan either.  However, they have it written on my chart that if they give me a squeaky toy, I’ll stand still.  Works like a charm every time!  I think if Mom had a squeaky toy to hug when her doctor draws her blood, it would be a far more relaxing experience.  Plus she’d have a happy keepsake to remind her of the visit.

After that round of excitement, it was back to the exam room to wait for my big moment with Dr. Doug.  I love Dr. Doug!  He got right down on the floor with me, and petted me while giving me treats!  All the while he was examining me from the tip of my nose to the tip of my tail and everything in between.  But he made it so fun that I barely noticed.  Perhaps if Mom’s doctor gave her cookies while sitting on the floor with her that would make the difference?  I took this opportunity to show Mom it was ok to lighten the mood by cracking a joke.  Just as Dr. Doug was about to listen to my heart, I did a well-timed squeak of my new toy.  We all laughed!  Then I dropped the toy, so he could get a better listen to my heart and check my teeth.

Sadly though all good things must come to an end.  And I soon found myself standing in the waiting room once more, bidding a fond farewell to my friends at the veterinarian’s office.  Even their office cat, Sassy, came out to acknowledge my presence!  That’s way more than what my kitty cousins do when I visit them.  I wonder if Mom’s doctor has an office cat?  Perhaps her doctor should get an office dog to greet patients?  Mom can’t resist smiling when she sees a dog.  After Mom paid, I’m loaded into the car exhausted from my morning’s adventure.

Sure there were a few pokes and prods along the way that I didn’t appreciate, but overall my annual visit to the vet’s office is nothing but toys, treats and good friends!  I don’t know why Mom doesn’t feel the same about her annual physical?  I think Mom should switch from her doctor to my veterinarian!  Then she too would look forward to this yearly ritual!