I have lived with dogs all my life and can’t remember us ever brushing their teeth. We’ve tended to give them bones and chews to do the job. Having said that, my little podenca Bebe came as a 6 year old with her teeth in a terrible state – from bad nutrition as a puppy according to my vet. But apart from having the 4 lower front teeth removed, the rest haven’t caused problems and she is now 15 years old.
Here’s a slide show of how to clean your dog’s teeth.
Video of a podenco and a galgo living happily with a cat
Interesting article on herbs to grow for your pets, although note that you should check with your vet if your pet is on medication, and also don’t give herbs during your pet’s pregnancy. I was interested to read that alfalfa can be good for dogs, as it’s what I give my horse along with his daily dose of Devil’s Claw. Has anyone used it for their dog, perhaps to help with arthritis?
Here is an article from Whole Dog Journal on the subject.
Understanding Your Dog’s Vocalizations
Barks, growls, howls, whines, and whimpers – your dog is talking to you, and he’s got a lot to say! Here’s a quick run-down of what your dog might have to say.
Barking
Dogs bark for many reasons, including alert (there’s something out there!), alarm (there’s something bad out there) boredom, demand, fear, suspicion, distress, and pleasure (play).
The bark of a distressed dog, such as a dog who suffers from isolation or separation distress or anxiety, is high-pitched and repetitive; getting higher in pitch as the dog becomes more upset. Boredom barking tends to be more of a repetitive monotone. Alert bark is likely to be a sharp, staccato sound; alarm barking adds a note of intensity to the alert.
Vets are concerned about the risk of exotic, zoonotic diseases being brought into the UK via travelling pets and ‘trojan’ rescue dogs. Read the full article here.
Ann Marie Payne of Ann’s Canine Care in Malaga is a gifted poet. Here is the weblink to one of her verses, well put together with instructions for people who have taken on a foster or adopted rescue dog.
FAUDA, a new group based on Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, fighting against the abuse of all animals on the Islands including podencos. (google translation)
‘FOR AN INTEGRAL PLAN AGAINST ABANDONMENT AND ANIMAL ABUSE IN THE CANARY ISLANDS, NOW! *
Today FAUDA has to give bad news to the Canarian society. Today she has to report that she has been left alone before the animal abuse, before the abandonment and before the zero sacrifice. Today FAUDA does not see that there is any kind of help from the Administrations. In short, everything promised to date by the Public Administrations has not been fulfilled.
Immersed in the month of August 2018, we are still waiting for the commitment of a new regulation of the Canary Islands Government for animal welfare, promised by said institution.
We warn of a great indifference to a social emergency in which the abandonment is far exceeding what can support the protectors and associations. Even the island hostel can no longer handle the current situation.
Given the extreme neglect of public administrations for the realization of an effective plan and the fulfillment of their promises, animal protection associations are forced to carry out only assistance measures, being overwhelmed by the social suffocation in which we find ourselves.
Click on this link on the Whole Dog Journal for details on making dog treats, especially during the hot weather.
Here’s a couple of lists of foods poisonous to your dogs.
My dogs love vegetables such as carrots, courgettes, sweet peppers, tomato cores; here’s a slide show of toxic and dangerous foods for your dogs.
