This post was created in collaboration with Healthy With Harvey, a nonprofit dedicated to helping kids understand how to keep themselves healthy & well. You can follow some of Harvey’s adventures on his Facebook page.
by Harvey the Dog
I know what you’re thinking. What does a dog know about vaccines?
More than you’d expect. I almost lost a friend because his owners didn’t know about them.
I'm a Lucky Dog—and I Know It
Hi! I’m Harvey. I’m a goldendoodle, and I’m trying to be an influencer. I’ve got a lot to say.
I’ve got great parents. Good food, fresh water, and a world-class toy collection—scattered through every room of the house. I get treats for tricks, go on playdates, and I’m brushed regularly. Every month, I go to my groomer for a bath, a blowout, and a pedicure. Then they take pictures of me before I go outside and trash my whole look.
On weekends, my parents cook me an egg so I can join them for breakfast. That makes me feel special.
I’ve got my own bed in their bedroom, although I usually prefer sleeping in the middle. I’ve got a bed in the family room. A sofa in the office. And a hammock in the back seat of the truck for road trips—which keeps me safe and comfortable, as it should.
I know I’m a lucky dog. Not every dog is.
My Friend Almost Died
I’ve talked to other dogs, and some of them aren’t getting the attention and healthcare they need. That breaks my heart—especially because of what happened to my friend.
I’ve talked to other dogs, and some of them aren’t getting the attention and healthcare they need. That breaks my heart—especially because of what happened to my friend.
He got parainfluenza. You might know it as kennel cough. It sounds minor, but it isn’t. It’s highly contagious, it spreads fast in crowded places—especially around dogs who aren’t vaccinated—and it hits young pups and older dogs really hard. My friend almost didn’t make it.
He got parainfluenza. You might know it as kennel cough. It sounds minor, but it isn’t. It’s highly contagious, it spreads fast in crowded places—especially around dogs who aren’t vaccinated—and it hits young pups and older dogs really hard. My friend almost didn’t make it.
The worst part? He didn’t have to get sick at all. There are vaccines to prevent this from happening in the first place. His owners just didn’t know.
I have a great doctor—a veterinarian—and my parents trust her judgment completely. If he says I need a vaccine, they make sure I get it. I’m not always thrilled about it, and sometimes I act out. But I know it’s the right thing to do.
And afterward, I get a peanut butter or ice cream treat. So there’s that.
Vaccines Work. I'm Living Proof.
I’ve had all my vaccines, and the only thing I’ve ever noticed afterward is that I might be a little tired that day. That’s it. Imagine how your parents would feel if their awesome pet got seriously ill or died just because they didn’t vaccinate. I think about what my friend went through—and what his family went through watching him—and the choice seems pretty obvious to me.
Being sick isn’t just dangerous. It’s expensive. Compared to that, vaccines are cheap, and they work. If cost is a concern, there are low-cost veterinary clinics and special community events where you can get your pet vaccinated without breaking the bank. There are no good reasons to skip those shots. Trust me on this one. I’m Harvey.
I've Got a Lot Invested in My Family
In our home, I’m not just a dog. I’m a member of the family. An important one.
I don’t just live here—I work here. I greet everyone who comes to the door. I protect my family from UPS delivery trucks and Amazon deliveries. I bark whenever there’s something on the porch. I alert them to incoming storms. When they work from home, I make sure they get up from their desks regularly, because I need my walks—and honestly, they need the exercise too.
I’ve got a lot invested in my family, and I want to show up for them the way they show up for me.
That means staying healthy. That means vaccines.
What I Want You to Know
Just imagine how your family would feel if their dog—their loyal, hardworking, egg-eating, toy-collecting, middle-of-the-bed-sleeping family member—became seriously ill or died because they skipped vaccines. I don’t even want to think about it.
I’m nice to others. I’m good with kids. I take my responsibilities seriously, and that means getting vaccinated to stay healthy. I hope I can influence other dogs—and their owners—to vaccinate too.
If you can’t trust a dog, who can you trust?
[Susan’s bio]. Her story, like all others on this blog, was a voluntary submission. If you want to help make a difference, submit your own post by emailing us through our contact form. We depend on real people like you sharing experience to protect others from misinformation.
