Vets and Vaccines

Feeling pretty sick

Yesterday was awful. My housemate and I had to go to the vet. Vets are bad enough, but to get there you have to go in a car. So even before I got there I was feeling pretty sick and my paws were sweating. Then the vet stuck me with a big needle. 

I was surprised to learn that this needle was a vaccine. My humans have been talking about vaccines a lot lately, and every time they do you can hear a hopeful note in their voices. It is clear that they think a vaccine is a Very Good Thing. They can't wait to get one. So have my humans finally gone crazy?

As it turns out, no. Vaccines are highly unpleasant, but they prevent much, much more unpleasant things. Like rabies, which is a very unpleasant way to die. Family lore tells of the household dog being attacked by a rabid raccoon a few years before I was born. The dog's vaccination saved him, but the raccoon died.

Not having to worry

Upon reflection, the needle was not such a big thing compared to knowing that I don't have to worry about rabies. Similarly, my humans are looking forward to not having to worry about covid-19. 

Bring on the vaccine!