A blog post by Josiah, the four-pound Yorkie puppy
I just had a big adventure! It was time to see the vet for my next puppy visit. My first trip to the vet was to an office in the big city, where I was prodded and poked, and the smell made my nose wrinkle. It wasn’t any fun.
But here in the countryside, the vet comes to the farm! It’s totally different and such a great adventure. Even better, the vet’s visit took place at Beauregard’s farm.
Beauregard is a doodle who lives on a nearby farm. He is my new friend and neighbor—the humans said he’ll be like a big brother. And he is huge!
It made me feel safer, knowing Beauregard would see the vet first. Then I could see how he was doing. And I wanted to explore more of Beauregard’s farm. I’ve been told I’ll be spending a lot of time visiting him there.
The Backpack Ride
First, Miss Janet lowered me into a backpack to keep me safe on the ride to Beauregard’s farm. It was all squishy inside. It felt like when Miss Janet wraps me up in a towel after rainy, muddy walks. Except the backpack had a bottom I could sit on and meshy windows to look out. I couldn’t see very well through the windows, but my nose could still smell.
I tried to jump around and push the meshy windows open, but I was stuck inside. I settled down when the car started moving. The rumble of the car is soothing.
Cool air started blowing inside the car, and I noticed a peppermint scent. Miss Janet said the smell keeps the mice away. I perked up at the thought of mice running around. I’m a Yorkie, and our noses are great at sniffing out rodents. If I see a mouse, I’ll chase him away. But I’ll have to be free from the backpack to run after him.
Arrival at Beauregard’s Farm
As Miss Janet took me out of the backpack and opened the door, Beauregard was running over to see me. He was as big as I remembered from our first visit. But I wasn’t scared. I was glad he was doing fine after his vet visit.
Beauregard smelled like sunshine, earthworms, and creek moss. I wanted to hug and kiss him. I reached out for his head and tickled his neck with all four feet, and he let me.
Meeting the Vet
Beauregard walked with me to the front of his house. In the beautiful garden, the vet and her assistant were looking at flowers. My new aunt—Beauregard’s human—cut some pretty purple flowers to give them.
The vet’s bag smelled just like the garden. She had all these little bottles filled with flower scents. She sprayed something over my head that smelled just like my lavender bear chew toy. Miss Janet says lavender is a plant that makes me feel calm—or tries to. The vet and her assistant gushed over me and handed me treats.
Then came the big weigh-in: Four pounds! Wow, I’m such a big dog now. I wonder if I’ll get as big as Beauregard. Maybe not quite. But I’m really growing.
We had to bring poop samples to the vet. Mine was in a tiny ziploc bag. Beauregard’s was in a gallon bag. The vet laughed and said she wasn’t worried about getting them mixed up. She checked mine for parasites. I don’t have any! I have no idea what that means, but Miss Janet was happy.
Magnolia Cone and Fluttering Leaves
The vet looked me over from head to toe, with treats and cuddles along the way. Everyone says l’m so cute. Then the humans let me sit on the ground for a while. I saw this cool-looking thing that looked like my Kong toy but all bumpy and made out of wood. The humans called it a magnolia cone from the big magnolia tree in the yard.
I haven’t seen this tree yet, but Miss Janet said Beauregard loved playing inside that tree as a puppy. I couldn’t imagine a tree so big you can play inside it. Maybe someday soon I’ll get to see the big magnolia tree.
I took a bite of the cone and spit it out. Not very tasty. But it was fun to tear it apart, scatter the pieces, and bat them around. What a great toy. Miss Janet said Beauregard also loved playing with magnolia cones as a puppy.
Just then, the wind kicked up and scattered some leaves. I tracked one and pounced on it, then another, and another. The humans laughed and clapped. I think they were impressed by how well I pounced.
Running Free in the Yard
When the vet finished checking on me and said I’m doing great, I was allowed to play in the yard. Without my leash! I bounced all over. So much fun.
Cuddling with Beauregard
Beauregard was watching through the front door while the vet visited with me. I think he wished he could come out and play. When the vet was done with her visit, Beauregard came out to say goodbye.
He sat down in the grass, and I got to cuddle with him. He felt like a big, soft pillow. I knew he was big enough to clobber me, but he didn’t try. I think he is going to be a good big brother, and I can’t wait to visit him again.
What a big adventure. I’m ready for a nap.
Hope your day is filled with sunshine, gardens, friends, and fun.
Josiah
The Inquisitive Yorkie 