Now you may wonder why I just didn’t have counseling with Doc or one of my other colleagues? Well there are ethical guidelines that prohibit that. That’s a good thing, because you need someone that has a unbias perspective. After all, what if I needed to talk about a problem I was having with Doc or a co-worker?

You may be wondering what kind of problems that a very handsome, popular and smart therapy dog would have? Well you might be surprised. Just because everything looks good on the outside, doesn’t mean that I don’t have issues just like everyone else. There is no shame in admitting that, in fact it takes courage to be vulnerable. Just like going to the doctor if you have a medical problem, self-care also means taking care of your mental health.

When I arrived at my new counselors office, I have to admit I was a little anxious, since I was the one that was use to doing the therapy, not receiving it. I soon found out that I had nothing to worry about. As soon as I climbed up in the chair and he looked at me and smiled, I felt right at ease. As the counseling session went along it became easier to talk about my problems. And I have to admit that by the end of the session, I was feeling more hopeful and had a plan to work on the things that had been bothering me.

After the counseling appointment, Doc put me in the car and drove me home and she asked how it went. I told her I was glad that I had gone, that talking to someone helped to ease my mind. Then she said, ” I am proud of you for asking for help when you needed it Grover.”

If you or anyone you know needs help or support, you can contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-6264.

It can be easy to get stuck in the every day grind. Go to work, come home, do some chores, take care of the kids and pets, watch tv, go to bed and then get up and do it all over again. I guess days like National Goof Off Day are to remind us to mix it up sometimes, de stress and not get stuck doing the same old thing. In other words, don’t forget to inject some fun in your life.

So today, even though we are at work, I am going to let loose a little and be silly and try to cheer up my co-workers. Maybe even take a nap in the middle of the work day. ( I can get away with that) Then when we get home, I will encourage Doc to forget the chores and maybe even watch Ferris Buellers Day Off to remind us that everyone needs to let loose and have fun sometimes.

Long ago, Doc taught me a valuable lesson. Ask for what you need. If the request is reasonable, most of the time you will get what you ask for. As usual, she was right, and that is how I ended up with my very plush new area rug for the office we use.

Since I am 10 years old and considered elderly, by dog standards, I sometimes need some extra help and care. Now don’t get me wrong I am still in good health and can do “zoomies” around the yard, but I have some trouble getting up on slick surfaces. Since there is no carpeting in the office we use, Doc noticed my back legs were sliding out from under me when I got up off the floor. To prevent any injuries in my old age, Doc started looking into some area rugs that would be easy to clean. After she looked at some on-line and got some information, she sent a message to the CEO about my predicament. After looking at some options and some discussion about what would be best for the space and what could be easily cleaned, it was decided that a rug would be just the thing to help me.

About a week went by and we ran into the CEO in the hallway and he told us the rug had been ordered and would be here soon. Doc thanked him and then she shocked me when she had the nerve to tell him that she thought a flat screen TV in our office, tuned to the Pet channel would help to keep me calm. He didn’t miss a beat and without hesitation told her ” That is a hard no!” I was relieved when I looked up and saw that smirk on her face because for a minute I thought she was serious. You never know with her, and that was a perfect example of being turned down because the request was no where near being reasonable.

The day we came back to work from vacation the rug was in the office rolled up in a corner. One of our patient’s was nice enough to help unroll it and place it on the floor. I was so excited I got on top of it even before it was rolled out all the way. Let me just say, I love my new rug. It feels magical to me. I sleep on it most of the time and even have dreams that I can fly on it across space and time. Now I am able to get up without sliding and I think the colors compliment my fur coat. Sometimes the simple things in life help the most and bring the most pleasure. I am thankful to the place I work that they take such good care of this therapy dog.

Well, Doc had the nerve to go to Florida without me again, but left me in the capable hands of the staff at my veterinarians office. For 10 days while Doc was hanging out by the ocean, lying in the sun and watching the dolphins and manatees, I was being pampered, like a pooch of my celebrity status should be.

While Doc was gone the staff gave me a pedicure and daily massages, brushed out my coat, rubbed my ears and played with me in the big yard in back of the office. The only thing I didn’t like was that one of my favorite vet techs brought her dog to work and had the nerve to pay attention to it. I just whined and cried until she finally came over and spent equal time with me. She said I was acting jealous. Can you imagine? I just wanted some attention too.

I have to say it was kind of weird not going to work, but Doc says that’s what vacation is for, to vacate. It’s really important just to take some “me time” away from the job whether you are man or beast. It was nice to sleep in everyday.

The time went by so fast the I could hardly believe it when on Monday afternoon they told me that Doc was there to pick me up. As they brought me into the main office from the kennel, I was surprised how many of the staff was there to say good by. They all told me how much they would miss me and patted and hugged me on the way out. I never though much about it, but the people that take care of all the animals get stressed and need a good therapy dog around too. I hope I cheered them up while I was there.

After my farewell’s to the staff, I went around the corner and I saw Doc waiting for me. At first I didn’t look at her. The thing is, I didn’t want her to know that I had a good time as I thought she should feel at least a little guilty for leaving me behind. But she looked so happy to see me I just couldn’t help but wag my tail and go right up to her.

Soon we were home and after supper it was getting late, so we climbed in bed to watch some tv. Both Doc and I fell asleep we were both so worn out from our adventures. It’s often nice to go away, but like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz said, ” There is no place like home.” No truer words were ever spoken.