I pulled into my driveway the other night and was met by a dog I did not know who came over to my car, put her feet up on the door, and smiled at me through the window. She acted as if we had been doing this for years. I snapped a leash on her and took her for a walk hoping she would lead herself home. She did not. None of the people I met on our walk recognized her. She was pit bull and I was too tired to go through the steps of a proper introduction with my canine family so I thought it best she sleep in the car. She climbed right in and curled into a little ball. I left her with food and water; and tucked her in with a blanket for the night.

The next morning she met my family; my concern about her with other dogs was needless. She was great with my guys. She was a sweet dog who had been well-socialized to the world – human, dog and car. It was clear she was loved and well cared for. Sadly, she had no collar and no tags.

As soon as the nearby vet opened, I took her in. They scanned her, YEA!, she had a chip. The receptionist called the number; owner answered and was at the vet in 20 minutes.

And so there it is, the value of tagging and the value of chipping your pet. Tagging is valuable in its immediacy. Chipping is valuable in its permanency. As the Humane Society United States says, “identifications tags are your dog’s first ticket home.”

Identification tags are available at almost every pet store and an infinite number of makers of pet id tags exist on-line. Your vet or local shelter will give you the information you need to chip your dog. It matters not whom you use, it matters that you use.

May your dog live long and happy and always at your side.

Lezley