Keeping That Pretty Smile

Before I get back to the weekend activities, I have an important public announcement.


Did you know that today is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day? We were very surprised to hear this, because we thought every day was dog biscuit appreciation day. I don't think we've ever experienced a day without dog biscuits and they are always appreciated. Anyway if the human part of your family is holding out, the canine members need to remind them of this special day.


Saturday we went to a special event at our vet clinic. This is JuJu, the official greeter. She loves Robert and chats away with him whenever she sees him. They also dance together, hopping up and down and flapping their wings together. It's pretty funny to watch.

The event was a mini-class on doggy dentistry, designed to make me feel guilty. I have to confess, I'm not very good about brushing my dog's teeth. I do it occasionally, but some days it's all I can do to find time to brush my own teeth, and the ten canine mouths don't get done.


This handsome fellow is Michael and he was the demo volunteer for the day. I'm not sure the poor guy actually volunteered, but he was a good sport about it. We learned why it's important to brush the doggy teeth and all the awful things that can happen when we don't.


We were given tips on how to make it more fun or at least less awful for everyone involved.


We talked about different types of brushes and toothpastes and most important the rewards given afterwards.


Then poor Michael had his teeth cleaned to show us the proper technique.


The little guy was a good sport and didn't struggle or put up much of an objection to the treatment.


When the brushing was over, he got a very tasty treat.


Then we were shown the torture instruments that are used when we don't brush and our dogs have to have a full dental cleaning.


They explained what each was used for and described some of the awful things that show up on a cleaning.


This should have made me rush home and throw each of them in the bathroom and brush away for the rest of the afternoon. It didn't. I have good intentions of doing a better , more frequent job of brushing, but I can't promise daily brushing for all ten of them. The best I can do is say, I'll try.

Monday the four boys went for their vet visit. Sky had a couple of tiny cysts on his back, but they're nothing to worry about and next time he's in for something, they can be removed with a local.

Noah had a broken nail on a back foot and a splinter between his toes on a front foot. The splinter is causing a sore, so he's taking antibiotics for a few days and we'll be soaking his foot twice a day to get the splinter to work it's way out.

Fudge is missing a tooth. We don't know what happened to it, it's just missing. He must have broken it off while playing and the one next to it is chipped. He hasn't exhibited any pain, so I had only noticed it a few days ago. I don't know when it happened. We'll x-ray to see if the root remains.

Tsar is a little weak in the hindquarters, but Dr B didn't note any arthritis. It may be a nerve in the back that's causing him some trouble. He gets around OK, just a little slower.

The boys were all very well behaved and I was proud of them. Fudge jumped onto the table by himself and didn't need to be held for the blood draw or his vaccinations. He can be a good boy if he wants to be. We'll be getting the results later this afternoon. All in all they did well and were much calmer than the girls.