From The FOG* Files

Last month, while preparing for a long trip, I posted about how I was trying to decide whether or not to have Mason microchipped before we departed. I had read many articles and I spoke with Mason’s veterinarians in Portland and Los Angeles but I wanted to add shared experience to my information.

“Dear readers,” I wrote in the post. “I would really appreciate your help on this one. Are your dogs microchipped? If so, did you struggle with the decision or was it a no-brainer? If not, why not? Have you been reunited with your lost dog thanks to a microchip? Do you worry that a microchip could be harmful to your dog’s health?”

I received many responses here and on DDY’s Facebook page and I truly appreciate each one. I also posted my questions to the Dog Health Issues Facebook page, an open group run by Jana Rade, who writes the awesome dog health and wellness blog, Dawg Business.

All of the feedback really helped me sort out my feelings on the issue and make the decision to have Mason microchipped. The procedure was quick, it didn’t bother Mason one bit and I felt really good knowing that a backup was in place to keep Mason’s identity secure during our travels, which took us across two states and included:

• 12 cities
• 4 hotels
• 4 beaches
• 3 dog parks
• 2 campgrounds
• 2 shopping malls
• 1 doggie daycare
• Many roadside rest areas!

Most comments were in favor of microchipping and several people provided personal experiences or anecdotes about lost dogs reunited with their families thanks to microchips.

Our Facebook pals at The Old Dog House, a non-profit senior dog rescue and sanctuary in Jacksonville, Florida, pointed out that microchips can travel from the insertion point (between the shoulder blades) so I’ll definitely be following the tip offered by “Houndstooth,” from the Tales and Tails blog: “I ask the vet to recheck it, too, when we go in for routine visits to make sure that it is still in place and still works, and so far, so good.”

On the Dog Health Issues page, group member Dawn Chapdelaine helped me put the decision in perspective. “… There are pros and cons to everything in life. One must search their heart, [do] a lot of research and then decide what is best for them.”

Dawn’s comment reminded me of one of my mantras while caring for Daley near the very end of his life when Degenerative Myelopathy, pancreatitis, low-grade liver cancer and a nasty urinary tract infection were doing their best to gang up on him and confuse the hell out of me while picking treatment plans: “Make the best decision that you can with the information that you have at the time.”

I believe it rings true for healthcare decisions for dogs at any age. Thank you to everyone who helped me make this decision!

Next up from The FOG* Files: Why we picked a road trip over a plane ride to Southern California and Mason’s must-haves for the trip, including the Snoozer Lookout pet car seat and the Car-GO SturdiShelter from Sturdi Products!

*Future Old Guy (FOG): Mason’s a young guy now (about 3 years old) but someday he’ll be an old guy. One of DDY’s goals is to spread awareness that age is just a number. Issues that dogs face when they’re young often figure into their wellness when they’re older. With that in mind, DDY will occasionally post about Mason’s health, wellness and lifestyle.