I enjoyed having company again on my morning jogs. Tofu struggled to keep up at first, but after a few mornings, I think she’ll be just fine. I grinned like an idiot for our entire run. My doggy friends always made me happy, but helping the ones in need gave me joy I could not explain. The closest example I could think of was meeting your newborn for the first time. I don’t know. Adoption was cool and all, but I think taking in strays is the move for me.
After our jog, I took Tofu to the vet’s office in Newcrest. It beat going all the way to Brindleton Bay, but if Newcrest will be our new home, I may as well begin establishing our life there, eh?
The building was really cute and had an urban vibe. The doctor arrived around the same time I did, so I assumed they opened late on the weekends. She was very young. At first, I thought she may have been an assistant or something. She greeted me and asked for a few minutes to prepare for opening. I apologized for arriving so early and told her to take all the time she needed.
I loved the waiting area. It had plenty of kiosks to check-in, but just like the other place, someone still insisted on queuing behind me. At least he wasn’t annoying like the cute cat guy. How was he doing, anyway? He should be really old now.
When I finished checking in, the doctor looked at my information on her phone. How progressive! She turned toward Tofu and greeted her like an honored guest.
“Hello, Tofu! Welcome! I’m so happy to meet you! Come, let’s get you checked out.”
Regardless of her age, she knew exactly what she was doing, and I knew I picked the right doctor for my new baby. Tofu followed her and only looked back at me once. She must have felt comfortable with her, and I was glad.
There were only two rooms in the office. One for examinations and the other for surgeries.
“You run this practice by yourself?” I asked.
“Yes ma’am! Your fur babies get nervous about going to the doctor just like you do. I run this place alone so your pets can have a consistent experience and only need to get to know one person.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you!”
Surely, being the only doctor placed a high demand on her time and allowed little room to grow. But I got the feeling she wasn’t in it for the money, anyway.
She got Tofu on the table and took out a blank form.
“One way I get the animals comfortable with me is to talk to them. I’m gonna ask her some questions, but I’m really asking you, okay?”
“That’s so adorable,” I said.
She asked Tofu about her favorite food, toys, fears, quirks, and all kinds of stuff. But I didn’t have many answers.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t know her that well yet. You see, I took her in yesterday.”
“Oh! Well, that’s wonderful! And it’s okay. We don’t need to do this now. We can fill in the blanks as we all get to know each other. Isn’t that right, Tofu?”
I think she smiled at the nice doctor. I wish I remembered her name.
“I like to create a personal profile for my patients so I can provide individualized care. Okay, Tofu, I’m gonna check you out now. Is that okay?”
The doctor did her thing, and Tofu sat quietly and let her.
“Aren’t you the sweetest,” the doctor said.
“Yes, Tofu,” I said. “You are sweet!”
She finished her examination and concluded Tofu was very healthy, which was exceptional since she lived on the street. She didn’t have on a collar, but the doctor wondered if she wasn’t a stray but a lost dog a long way from home. It pained me to think I may have stolen someone else’s dog, but I put that out of mind. She belonged to me now, and I wouldn’t give her up.
Doc helped Tofu off the table and thanked me for bringing her in.
“It’s really cool what you did. Not too many people will take dogs off the street like that.”
“Oh, it was nothing. I didn’t give it a second thought. I’ve done it before. I think it’s my thing now.”
“Well, it’s great,” she said.
She gave Tofu some treats and got ready for her next patient. We went to the backyard for a little playtime, and she had the time of her life.
