What is a Dentist

“Hey Jake!” called Midge as she and Booker-T entered the yard at Jake's house.

“What are you doing?” asked Booker-T.

“I was sleeping,” said Jake as he sat up in the swing.

“It's time to get up and lets go have some fun,” smiled Booker-T.

“You sleep all the time,” said Midge. “I want to go to the zoo building to see the animals.”

“I woke up early this morning,” said Jake. “So I laid down for little nap after my owner went to work.”

“Jake,” said Midge. “Do they have doggie dentists?”

“I don't think so,” said Jake. “The Vet looks at my teeth when I go for my shots every year.”

“Why do you want to go to the dentist?” asked Booker-T.

“My owner went to the dentist yesterday afternoon,” said Midge. “I didn't know if there were doggie dentists so we can go to the dentist.”

“Does your vet look at your teeth when you go?” asked Jake.

“No,” said Midge. “I don't remember.”

“Humans have all kinds of doctors, don't they,” said Jake.

“Why?” asked Booker-T. “We only have one.”

“I don't know why they have so many,” said Midge. “My owner was talking to her sister one day and she has four different doctors. I'm happy I only have one I see.”

“What kind of doctors does she have?” asked Jake.

“I heard her tell her sister that she has a doctor that checks her heart,” said Midge. “She has one that does her teeth, one that does her yearly checkup and one that checks her insides.”

“Maybe the humans should go see a vet,” said Booker-T. “We only have one doctor.”

“I'm glad we don't have more doctors to see,” said Jake. “I don't like going to see the vet.”

“My vet is nice,” said Midge as she smiled really big and showed her teeth. “Do you think my teeth are good? Maybe I need a dentist too.”

“They look nice,” said Jake. “I don't think you need a dentist.”

“Why do humans go to the dentist?” asked Midge.

“I don't know,” said Jake. “We don't need one.”

“See my teeth,” said Booker-T with a big grin on his face.

“Your teeth look nice too,” said Midge. “Let me see your teeth Jake.”

“See,” said Jake with a big smile on this face as he showed his teeth to Midge and Booker-T. “Now, that we have seen our teeth, can we go to the zoo or maybe go play in the park.”

“Okay,” said Midge. “Lets go.”

“I wonder if the zoo animals go to the dentist,” said Booker-T.

“You can ask them when we go,” laughed Jake.

“ Okay,” said Booker-T. “Lets go.”

The three hurried out the gate and started walking along the sidewalk going to the zoo building where they hold animals for a short time, who are going to the big zoos. It was always fun to see the different animals when they are there.

As they got close to the zoo building, the zoo train pulled into the station and many people with their kids, were standing there waiting to get on the train. They stood and watched them climb on the little train.

“Do you want to sneak on the train again?” asked Midge.

“No,” said Jake.

“Don't you want to go to the big zoo?” asked Booker-T. “I like to go see the big tigers.”

“You like the tigers because they are the same color as you are,” laughed Midge.

“Orange is pretty,” smiled Booker-T. “I like orange and black stripes.”

“It is a long walk from the other side of town if they don't let us back on the train to come home,” said Jake. “Do you want to walk?”

“Oh no,” said Booker-T. “It is too far to walk.”

“Lets go see who is in the little zoo building,” smiled Midge.

They stood for a minute at the door and looked around the room. There were only animals in three of the cages today.

“What is that animal in the corner?” asked Booker-T.

“Looks like maybe an alligator,” said Jake. “I am never sure if they are alligators or crocodiles.”

“How do you know what they are?” asked Midge.

“I think the alligator has a different nose,” said Jake. “Lets go see what the sign says.”

“They have lot of big teeth,” said Booker-T. “I wonder if he goes to the dentist.”

“You can ask him,” suggested Midge. “Lets go see him.”

The three walked to the back cage and Jake read the sign. “He is an alligator,” said Jake. “His name is Ally.”

“Hi Ally,” said Midge.

“You look good to eat,” growled Ally.

“Why do you want to eat me?” asked Midge stepping back from the cage bars. “I just want to be your friend.”

“Why?” asked Ally.

“We like all animals,” said Jake.

“But you look like dinner,” said Ally.

“I don't want to be your dinner,” said Midge. “We just came here to say hello to you.”

“Wow,” said Booker-T. “You have lot of teeth in your big mouth.”

“Lot of teeth to eat with,” said Ally.

“Do you have to go to the dentist?” asked Booker-T.

“What is a dentist?” asked Ally. “Are you a dentist?”

“No, I'm a cat,” said Booker-T.

“Are you two dentists?” asked Ally.

“No,” said Jake. “We are dogs.”

“Why do I need to see a dentist?” asked Ally.

“Humans go see dentists for their teeth,” said Midge. “We wondered if animals do too.”

“I don't know what a dentist is and I don't think anyone looked at my teeth before,” said Ally.

“Do you go to the vet?” asked Jake.

“Well, I'm not sure,” said Ally. “I think when the vet comes to see me, they put me to sleep.”

“Why?” asked Booker-T.

“Because they think I will bite them,” said Ally. “Humans are afraid of alligators.”

“You are scary looking with all those teeth,” said Booker-T.

“Are you afraid of me too?” asked Ally.

“You are behind these bars so we aren't scared,” said Booker-T.

“If you weren't behind the bars, we would be afraid too,” said Midge.

“I don't have many friends because everyone is afraid of me,” sighed Ally.

“That is sad,” said Midge.

“We will be your friend,” said Jake. “If you promise not to eat us.”

“I promise,” smiled Ally.

“I'm happy we are friends now,” said Jake.