Waiting for Logan

Friday morning, while I waited to find out what time  I could pick Logan up from the emergency animal clinic for his chocolate toxicity, I realized I was just as excited as a year ago, when I waited to pick up my puppy for the first time.  I stood in the waiting room with anticipation, watching each dog that came out. One poked his head out of a room and it was also black and white, but fuzzy. I thought, “what have they done to Logan, he looks all puffy?” Then, I realized it wasn’t him. He came out soon after with his usual excited, jumping up on me cuteness. I was so happy to have my best buddy and business partner back by my side.

Logan and I started Pet Tag Creations, our unique, colorful pet ID tag business officially in October of 2008. But, it all started at the crack of May 20th when I found 7 week old Logan (originally named Fred) on petfinder.com. There was a frantic email to make sure he was still available, emails and phone calls back and forth with Kim from Homeward Trails, an email to my Mom to pray that I get to adopt him, rushing back from work to fill out the forms and fax them back, and FINALLY an OK, he was all mine! I was like a new Mom nesting all week. I cleaned my house, cleaned the car, read part of 2 books–The Monks of New Skete’s Art of Raising a Puppy and How to Be your Dog’s Best Friends, adopted out both a dog I was fostering for Recycled Love and a kitten from BARCS, (who can now be found hanging out at Pretentious Pooch) and called the vet to find out what diseases to watch out for with such a young puppy.  I couldn’t sleep for several days before he came and looked at the petfinder picture on my computer dozens of times a day.  Then there was the note I found later that said, “make dog tag for Fred”, which I had forgotten about.  I kept thinking, “there must be a better tag solution to the metal or plastic uncolorful tags that I see everywhere. I looked online and didn’t find anything. So, I set about creating something more interesting.

After an initial tag I made in polymer clay, collaborating with some glass artists to make fused glass pet tags, and lots of research, I made a tag out of polymer clay that was approved by friends. My first 15 tags were displayed at Dogfest, the Baltimore Humane Society fundraiser, and I received dozens of compliments. Throughout the last year and much more research and feedback from friends, family, and numerous others into the best materials and designs, I have created a new improved pet tag. When I look at those initial tags, I am a bit embarrassed, but I guess that’s how all improvement works–physical, spiritual and emotional. I’m sure I will continue to re-invent my pet tags and self for many years to come.