NEVER SAY "NEVER"

[Cathy C. Bennett]

NEVER SAY “NEVER”… by groovygoldendoodles

Not sure if it’s a “generation” thing, but as a child growing up - my parents, and grandmother memorized meaningful “phrases” that they would verbally “throw” at my siblings and I at the “oddest times” though they deemed them “appropriate moments.”  Here’s an example: we were no longer interested in eating the rest of our dinner, but when we asked to be excused, we were hit with: “people are starving in China, and you want to waste food? - finish what’s on your plate.”

My grandmother was famous for this one: “never say never.” She didn’t even need to hear the entire conversation, she could be walking through a room, here the last sentence, “I would never..." (fill in the rest with your fondest memories...), and she’d pipe in “never say never, Cathy.” So this blog would have to be in honor of my “Nana.”

Over the years the “boys” have trained me well with some “basic” pet care habits:

• walks

• poop patrol

• grooming

And there are some things I do that have become rather routine (which even surprise ME):

• wipe their paws when they come in from outside

• grind up grilled chicken strips for their meals

And if you tried to tell me in 2012 I would:

• drive dogs to doggie day care

• treat them to ice cream occasionally

• write about them and their antics twice a week for other people to enjoy

I would have laughed at you for hours...

But I promise you - when someone once asked me if I brushed their teeth? I not only thought “NO” I smiled, shook my head, and responded with “NEVER HAPPEN - CAPTAIN.” To me, that just seemed like the craziest thing. I’ve always given them GREENIES http://greenies.com/en_US/whatsgreenies/ (that’s a blog all by itself), for tarter control and breath maintenance, but if that's all I do - over time it’s the equivalent to you using a breath mint instead of Colgate! It’s just not enough!

After speaking with the vet during Harley’s annual check-up. I found this great website http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/teeth.htm that not only explains the obvious about canine tooth care, they also tell you what could happen if you don’t incorporate “dental care” in their regular weekly grooming schedule.

A few weeks ago, convinced that even though the Greenies were doing “their thing” very well - it only makes sense to begin brushing teeth and training them NOW so as they age we won’t be trying to “teach an old dog a new trick.” They ADORE their “one on one” time and they LOVE the “chicken flavored” toothpaste.

The website http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/teeth.htm is an easy read and worth clicking on to browse. It gives “step by step” directions WITH pictures (always helps me!), OR you can get a good laugh and look at Leo’s cameo debut on the video http://www.flickr.com/photos/63522592@N02/ (or you can view it from the doodle gallery on the home page). He allowed us to video his “toothbrush time” so he could help others...

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I must admit this is one area I kind of let slide.  I tried to brush Bex's teeth when he was a puppy, but he just kept licking the toothpaste and I just kept getting frustrated!  I gave up and was hoping bones would do the trick!  Dogs in the wild didn't brush their teeth, did they?  That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

YES! Our dogs go crazy over the toothpaste shown above! Still haven't mastered the brushing because they are too busy trying to lick it off the brush!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I refuse to brush Coopers teeth - I give her a raw meaty bone instead! vets are always amazed at how great her teeth are

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Good job!  I started out brushing Rooney's teeth but just haven't stuck with it, just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day.  Both of the boys teeth seem very clean - I'm wondering if it is the shin bones?  I have been seeing an ad for a place that comes to their day care once a month for teeth cleaning that does not involve having then under.  Not sure how they do it but I'm keeping the info just in case.   

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good for you. I haven't gotten to this yet but I do put PetzLife on the doodles teeth every other night. We all hate the ritual but it has mad e a big difference. And Leo looked very cooperative.