Category Archives: pets

How to Clean Your Dog or Cat’s Teeth

Molly's beautiful smile
Molly

February is Pet Dental Health Month. The American Veterinary Dental Society estimates that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three!

What if you had to go without brushing your teeth for a week? What if you had to stop for a year? Unthinkable, right?  Yet many pet owners neglect the dental health of their cats and dogs.

Not only does this make their breath bad and their smile yellow, it can lead to periodontal disease or gingivitis. Pets can get swollen and bleeding gums and painful cavities. I know about this personally.  Once our cat, Brownie, stated losing weight.  I noticed she was not eating as much as usual and wondered if she was sick.  When I took her in, the veterinarian showed me that the problem was her teeth: they had gotten so bad that it hurt to eat!

Your your dog or cat may be suffering, too, but it has no way to tell you!

Poor dental care can even lead to kidney, liver, or heart disease.

Yes, it is hard to get a cat or dog to sit still and endure teeth brushing, but it can be done.

Here are some tips:

Buy pet toothpaste. Look for a pet toothpaste with enzymes. It comes in different flavors, try poultry.  Pet tooth paste is safe for pets to swallow and they like the taste. Never use toothpaste made for humans, which can make a pet sick.

You can buy the toothpaste online or at a retail pet store. It should run you $5 to $6. If you buy online, look for a coupon code at check out. Open another window and do a search for the name of the online store along with the words “coupon code.”  You can also try a search with the name of the store and”free shipping.” You may find a code to save you some money.

Buy a pet toothbrush. Some are specially shaped and have two sides so you can brush front and back at once. All have soft bristles. Pet toothbrushes run from $3 to $10. You can even get electric ones. You can also use just a child’s soft toothbrush. You can get those at the dollar store to save money.

If you are just starting, you may want to consider buying a kit that has both the toothpaste and the toothbrush. I have some links below to buy through Amazon.

Let your dog or cat try the taste. Massage the gums with your finger.  Once the animal starts accepting or even looking forward to this new ritual, introduce a toothbrush.

Periodontal disease usually affects the upper, back teeth first and worst so make sure you cover those areas. Try to clean near the gum, just like you do when you do your own teeth.

For a cat or a small dog, hold it in your lap. For a larger dog, have a leash on.

Accept that a bit of chewing or mouthing in inevitable. Do not get frustrated and give up. It may take several weeks for the two of you to get the process down.

Do the best you can.  Even if you cannot brush every tooth completely, the enzymes in the toothpaste will help clean the teeth, and some brushing is better than none. You may be able to do a btter job as you get both get used to it.

Establish a ritual, a time of day when you always do it so you do not forget. Follow up with praise and maybe even a treat. Give yourself a treat, too, so you look forward to the ritual. Do it every day.

Pet Clothing

Dental chews, rawhide, dental bones and other healthy products can help, but do not think they can replace brushing.

If your pet already has signs of periodontal disease, you will need a professional cleaning by your veterinarian. This is expensive because it requires anesthesia. Your pet may require a professional cleaning less frequently if you maintain a routine of brushing, so you save money.

Pat yourself on the back for taking good care of your pet despite your busy schedule. And enjoy a beautiful smile on your pet.

If you love pets, please pass the word on about brushing teeth. Let me know if you have other tips.

A condensed version of this article can be found on eHow.

I found a couple good pet toothbrush / toothpaste kits on Amazon and the links are below.

Help Kids Say Goodbye to a Pet

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10 Tips to Help Kids Say Goodbye to a Pet

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Losing a pet is often the first time a child faces death. Grieving is hard for children who have not confronted mortality. Children want pets to live forever. They lash out against euthanasia. Here are steps to help them accept aging, sickness and loss of a pet.

Kids and pets share a tight bond.
Kids and pets share a tight bond.

1. Be honest. Pets may not get better despite your efforts. All living creatures grow old and die. Different species have varying life spans. Children usually reject the concept of euthanasia. Be clear that adults make these decisions in the best interest of the pet and the family. You may have to repeat this several times over the course of a few weeks. Start the talk early so the idea has time to sink in. Do not argue. Be matter of fact.

2. Share information about medical choices. At some point the right choice may not be to prolong life through additional treatment, but rather to provide comfort and love.  Tell your kids this ahead of time.

Let children help in care.
Let children help in care, such as placing blankets around the house.

3. Let kids help in the care of the pet. Children gain a sense of empowerment and compassion when they care for an animal. As a dog ages it may not want long hikes, but it does need frequent short walks, even just around the block. Explain that this helps the dog both physically and mentally.  A child can place additional blankets around the house so that the older pet has a soft warm place to rest and still be near the family. They can give extra pets or treats. Praise them for their help.

4. If the the time comes for euthanasia, tell the child ahead of time. It is tempting to avoid this conversation. But your child needs a chance to “say goodbye.” Younger children should not accompany you to the veterinarian.

A book about pet death can help explain euthanasia.
A book about pet death can help explain euthanasia.

5. Take photos of the pet with your kids before it is too late. You may use these in a memorial ceremony. The photo will be cherished and help your kids to remember the pet.

6. Let kids help with a memorial ceremony. They can make a scrapbook, draw a picture or write a poem. They can help plant a flower or tree in honor of the pet. Share memories and tell them how lucky the family was to have such a good pet, and what a good life the pet had. Include kids in a discussion of how to honor the pet by contributing to a shelter, dog park, veterinary school or other animal-related cause.

“]Take a portrait to remember the pet.[/caption]

7. Tell the child’s teacher and caregivers what is going on.  Grief causes added stress that can affect behavior and concentration.

8. An age-appropriate book about pet death about a pet dying can be a great tool. Friends may give a card or small gift as a momento (charm for a bracelet, same staffed animal, book) to show their sympathy.

A small gift that represents is a thoughful gesture of sympathy.
A small gift or a pet book is a thoughtful gesture of sympathy.

9.  Children must go through the same stages of grief as adults. Listen. Empathize. Be patient. Plan playdates with friends or relatives who have gone through pet grief.

10. Your child may want to get a new pet right away.  A kitten or puppy requires energy and emotional commitment. Wait until the entire family is ready.

Related posts: How to Donate Your Pet’s Body to a Veterinary School

How to Cope with the Death of a Pet

Molly’s Legacy

The above photos show my two kids with our beloved Dalmatian, Molly, who died three years ago, and our labradoodle puppy we got about a year later. Please let me know if you find these tips helpful, or if you have other tips to share. Thanks!

Pet Clothing

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Make a Cool Poster in the Obama Style

My daughter's pic in Obama Style
My daughter

A fun site from pastemagazine.com allows you to quickly take a photo and turn it into art in the style of the iconic Obama poster.

Iconic campaign poster of Barack Obama
Iconic campaign poster of Barack Obama

Just go to Obamicon.me and follow the easy instructions.  The trick to make the poster look good is to play with the sliders that allow you to adjust how much dark blue, light blue, red and white is in the image.  As a Photoshop guru, I think this a neat little way for just about anyone to make a posterized image without having to know all about Photoshop.  You can then download, email or put the images into Facebook.  The site has more than a half million pics in the gallery now!

Most photos look great just doing it this way. If you want, you can go into Photoshop or another program first, and cut out the background so it has less detail. I did this with my puppy.  You can also edit the pic after you download it.  Make sure to change it from index color to rgb.  I also made the white whiter on mine. Have fun.

Very cool.  (Thanks, Rex, for showing me the site!) Try it.

My husband
My husband

If you just want to buy a Obama Hope campaign poster, check out this Aamzon link.

Amazon has a few other Obama items I like. Like this hat . . . .

And this company sells a cool little pins that looks like the front page of the newspaper for historic events. Check out the one about Obama making history. Would make a nifty little gift for an Obama supporter.

I love the superhero version of Obama on this t-shirt. There are tons of items at Amazon. These were my favorites.

How to Donate Your Pet’s Body to a Veterinary School

Make Lasting Tribute to Your Pet by Donating Your Pet’s Body

Losing a pet is like losing a family member. One way to honor your companion animal is by donating his or her body to a veterinary school. Not only will your donation teach a student about anatomy, it will also encourage a commitment to humane treatment of animals.

We donated Molly's body to a veterinary school.
We donated Molly's body to a veterinary school.

A growing number of veterinary school now offer willed body programs, similar to ones that medical schools have been using for decades.

Veterinary schools are turning to the willed body model of obtaining cadavers out of ethical concern about using bodies from other sources, such as: animal shelters; breeders who breed animals for research or teaching; the greyhound industry (retired dogs); or biological supply companies. Using animal bodies that have been willingly donated fits with a more humane philosophy.

Donated cadavers are stored in cold storage until needed and then dissected by veterinary students. Students learn about anatomy and gain technical skills of working with a real body. Most schools have a ceremony to honor the pets in the program. The remains are then cremated. Schools may offer the option of having the ashes returned to you. Otherwise the ashes are usually scattered at sea.

By donating your pet’s body, you are  supporting ethical treatment of animals and the training of future veterinarians. An added benefit is that you usually do not have to pay for any cremation services. More important is the lasting tribute you make to your pet through education that improves the health and well being of other animals. Read about our experience donating our dog’s body.

According to the Humane Society the following schools have programs

  • University of California at Davis
  • Texas A&M University
  • Tufts University
  • University of Florida (for large animals only)
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Wisconsin at Madison
  • Western University of Health Sciences

You may check other schools directly as well.

Molly's legacy lives on in the knowledge gained by a veterinary student.
Molly's legacy lives on in the knowledge gained by a veterinary student.

Pet owners arrange for their animal’s body to be donated by talking to their veterinarian ahead of time and filling out some paperwork. The process is simple.

Obtain information from the school nearest you for the details of its program. The school will provide you with paperwork to fill out.

Let your veterinarian know of your plans. If you bring your pet in for euthanasia, bring the paperwork with you. Be sure to bring directions from the school about how the body will be picked up.


Tell your veterinarian to include the pet’s charts with the body.
This will help the veterinary student to gain as much information as possible about the animal and will enhance the educational opportunity.

If you like, write a few short paragraphs about your pet to include with the chart as well as a photo. The student will gain not only scientific knowledge and technical skill, but also a deeper philosophical of the value of a pet’s life.  We did this.

Inquire if the school has any ceremony, publication or other tribute that you can participate in to help honor the pet. Finally, let others know about your experience.  I take great comfort in knowing that a veterinarian student’s knowledge was furthered by our donation of Molly’s body. Read about our experience.

Related posts on my site:

How to Cope with the Loss of a Pet

How to Help Kids Say Goodbye to a Pet

find my eHow How to Cope with the Loss of a Pet

If you found this information helpful, please pass on a link.

Let me know what you think by commenting below. Show your support by “digging” this post. Just click the digg button above.


How to Cope with the Loss of a Pet

Molly growing up with our daughter. Molly is ages 4, 10, and 13.
Our Dalmatian, Molly, growing up with our daughter. Molly is ages 4, 10, and 13.

Pets are part of the family. Yet pets live shorter lives than the humans. We watch them age and die sooner than other family members.

The bond between human and animal companions is forged by love, joy, trust and loyalty. Real grief is to be expected when death breaks the connection.  How does one cope?

People in mourning after the death of a dog, cat or other pet experience conflicting feelings. You will likely go through stages of grief when any loved one dies.

  • Denial
  • Anger
  • Bargaining
  • Depression
  • Acceptance

The whole family will be under stress. Some may be able to move to acceptance faster than others. Be patient with those who need time. Do not belittle them or ask them to “just get over it.”

Paying tribute to your companion can help the family gain closure. Have a memorial ceremony. Share memories. Say a toast. Light a candle. Assemble a scrapbook. Write an essay and share it. Frame a photo and put it in a place of honor. You may want to treasure a keepsake, such a collar or tag. (I keep these in my jewelry box.)  Plant a plant, tree or flower. (We planted a bulb that flowers in the spring in remembrance of our Dalmatian.)

Take positive action in your pet’s name. Make a contribution to a shelter, dog park, veterinary school or other animal-related cause.

Avoid isolation. Friends who have been through this experience will understand your need to talk.  Avoid those who think of pets as “just animals.” Today people do send pet sympathy cards or flowers.

Do not feel guilty if you made the tough decision to have your pet euthanized. Do not let others judge you negatively. Helping your animal die is a loving action. Be proud of your courage in taking it.

Be honest and open with your kids. This may be a opportunity to teach them a healthy understanding about death. Get them an age-appropriate pet grief book. Be patient. Listen. They may be traumatized emotionally and even physically. They may lash out or be unable to concentrate. Inform their teacher about the death. Let children participate in any memorial.  An art project or a poem will help them express feelings.

Older people sometimes have the toughest time mourning the loss of a pet. Check in so they do not feel alone.

Be sensitive to remaining pets who may be confused or grieving as well. Try to keep to their routine as much as possible. Give them extra attention.

Do not adopt a new pet right away. Although you will always miss the deceased animal, you will eventually accept his or her death.  At that point you will be ready to consider getting another pet.  A kitten or puppy requires energy and emotional commitment. Wait until the whole family is ready.

Know that others have gone on to accept their pet’s death, and you will too in time. Your veterinarian may be able to direct you to grief counseling if you need it.

Our companion animals impart lessons about the most important things in life: patience, responsibility, commitment, communication, fun, loyalty, respect and love. Years from now, certain sights, sounds or smells may trigger a memory of your beloved dog or cat. But these moments will make you smile, not cry.  You will appreciate how much your pet enriched your life. And you will know that even in death, he or she was giving you a gift: the lesson of how to accept mortality and cope with loss of something that we hold dear.

Related post: How to Help Kids Say Goodbye to a Pet,

Related post: How to Donate Your Pet’s Body to a Veterinary School.

If you live in Southern California you may want to consider donating your pet’s body to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences.  As part of its reverence-for-life philosophy it does not accept cadavers from shelters. Click here for more information on their Willed Deceased Animals for Veterinary Education (WAVE) program. Read about our experience donating Molly’s body to WesternU and Molly’s legacy.



For my birthday, my sister painted  Molly and our cat Brownie as angels.
For my birthday, my sister painted Molly and our cat Brownie as angels.

Here’s some links to books that may help you mourn a pet.

Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover’s Story of Joy and Anguish

My Dog, Chloe: Grieving the Loss of a Man’s Best Friend

The Memorial Service & The Grieving Guide (2 Disc Set)

Everything for a DogPaw Prints in Heaven?: Christians and Pet Loss

Honey the Rock Hound: A Puppy Dies A Family Mourns

you can find more links to books about pet death here

Should Obama get a Labradoodle? Should you?

Should Obama pick a labradoodle?  We did. Smart. Cute. Fun.

When our labradoodle puppy Ginger feels she is not getting enough attention, she steals whatever is most precious to you and runs like crazy. Fast. Won’t drop it . . . even for a cookie. If you open the car door to trick her into thinking it’s a trip to the dog park, she won’t buy it. Until you change your mind to actually go to the park. Then somehow she knows, and jumps right in. So smart.

Labradoodle Ginger as a puppy.
Labradoodle Ginger as a puppy.

What does a labradoodle look like?

The fur can vary in color and texture. Depends on the fur of the lab mom and the poodle dad. Also on which generation the labradoodle is. First generation (lab and poodle parents) and second (2 labradoodle parents or labradoodle and poodle parent, for example). At one year Ginger’s fur is still silky soft. Fur can even vary within the same litter. Ginger recently celebrated her one-year birthday by having a playdate with two of her littermates. One sister is more curly and one is more lab-like.  party photos

The size can vary as well. Depends on the size of the poodle dad, standard to miniature. Our labradoodle Ginger has a 12 lb dad, and her mom was a regular lab.  At one year she is about 30 lbs. Perfect size for us.

Do a web search and come up with tons of images that show the wide variety of size and fur. People are often surprised that Ginger is a labradoodle as she does not have super curly fur. They also are surprised by her small size.

Ginger is good natured and great with kids. A watch dog: alert with a big-dog bark, not a yappy little-dog one. Her faults: she does tend to whine a bit. And contrary to reports that labradoodles do not shed, she does. But just a bit.  First generations tend to shed more. Oh, and like I said, she steals your stuff.

Obama wants to adopt from a shelter.  Labradoodles and goldendoodles are popular now and most breeders fetch a good price. He may not be able to find a “shelterdoodle.”

To see more labradoodle photos of Ginger as a puppy, check out my photo gallery: labradoodlephotos

Ginger with mom and dad
Ginger with mom and dad