My oldest daughter is ready for some human cousins as evidenced by her recent observation:
“You know, I really like kittens and puppies. I like dogs and cats,” Madeline said, “but it’s astonishing that all I have is furry cousins.”
My sister-in-law and her husband have two wiry, little pups named Winston and Lelia, and my brother and his new bride recently adopted this cutie named Munchkin. (Rae piped in that Winston was their hairiest cousin.)
The girls can’t wait to meet their newest “cousin” even if she is on the hairy side.
***
So long as we’re on the topic of pets, our dear Layla – a Great Dane/Lab mix – is suffering from some horrid halitosis. We have not changed her food or oral hygine care, but her hot, hot breath reeks lately. It smells like fish. It’s gotten so bad we’re thinking of changing her name from Layla to Stinka. Any suggestions for improving her breath? We’re always pushing the poor girl away now because the smell makes you want to gag.
Okay, I know you’re going to think we’ve lost our minds, but we started making our own dog food and the dogs’ breath and *ahem* waste products have been much less smelly and more manageable. It’s really a lot easier than you’re imagining it to be, I swear!
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Hi Kate! We had a lab several years ago that developed *really* awful breath once. After a few weeks of it we held him down and looked in his mouth to find a bone of something lodged sideways across the top of his mouth. Steve had to pull it out with fishing pliers, but you could tell the dog was relieved to have it gone, and his breath improved to normal. :)
My guess is that she has a rotten tooth that is causing her some discomfort and gag breath.
I would guess teeth also. Maybe she needs a cleaning – dogs get bad tartar build up. Time for a vet visit.
Thanks for all the suggestions! I do brush her teeth, but she is due for a vet checkup in October, and I’ll ask for a cleaning then. She had one last year when we first adopted her. I wasn’ sure if any of those minty bones worked, or if there were any other dental products that might be helpful.
Oh, and how do you make your own dog food?
Munchkin’s paws are huge! Are they sure it’s not really a mountain lion or something? :)
My first thought is teeth, too!
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Product named Liquid Oral Care suggested. Love you!!!