EverythingDogBlog: What is February Good For, Anyway?

EverythingDogBlog: February is for National Pet Dental Health Month! And Responsible Pet Owner's Month! And National Spay and Neuter Awareness Month! A threesome!

1. You DO brush your dog's teeth every day, don't you?

I didn't think so. That's understandable - neither do I! But February is National Pet Dental Health Month (http://www.seattledogspot.com/blog/dog-blog/post/the-improtance-of-dental-health-for-your-pet).

The next time you take your best friend to the vet, ask about brushing his teeth. In the meantime, read lots of helpful information at https://www.avma.org/Events/pethealth/Pages/February-is-National-Pet-Dental-Health-Month.aspx

For periodic teeth cleanings, Clipper’s Canine Café in Savage Mill (see logo) can book you an appointment for a non-anesthetic tooth cleaning (see photos for the Before and After shots of a dog whose teeth were cleaned at Clipper’s in January). That’s the best news I have heard in a long time, especially for older dogs and any dog who shouldn’t be anesthetized unless absolutely necessary. (www.clipperscaninecafe.com).

Appointments are available at Clipper’s one Saturday a month. Read back here later for more information on Jess and her anesthesia-free teeth cleaning service as a career in my series, Canine Careers.

By the way, Clipper’s Canine Café is a ‘unique boutique,’ specializing in natural diets for dogs (and cats) which carries all the best stuff for your best friend: RuffWear, Kong, West Paw, edible greeting cards (for dogs) and even ‘cat stuff.’ Kate lectures on natural diets and is also available in the store to help answer questions. In April, keep your eyes peeled for a special presentation on pet allergies.

Clipper’s even has a drive-through (“Complimentary Canine Curbside Carryout”) and schedules rescue events every Saturday so you can just drop in with your current dog and meet the next member of your family. Want your order delivered? No problem!

2. February is also Responsible Pet Owner’s Month.

Is your dog spayed or neutered? Do you always go outside WITH your dog and interact with him, even in your backyard?

When your dog is tied up outside are you always there with him – gardening, mowing the lawn or washing your car?

And, finally, do you always take two poop bags when your dog takes you for a walk, even if he has just ‘gone’? You may need one for more ‘business’ and, chances are, you will see that someone else has not picked up what he should have – here is your chance to be a VERY responsible pet owner.

3. And finally, February is National Spay and Neuter Awareness Month and Tuesday, 26 February (always the last Tuesday in February), is World Spay Day supported by the ASPCA, the HSUS, the Doris Day Animal Foundation, PetSmart Charities, Petfinder, and the House Rabbit Society, among others. Click here for events in or near zipcode 21044: https://spaydayportal.humanesociety.org/sd_findEvent_US.aspx?zip=21044 (I counted 17 events within 50 miles [there is even a Pet Pageant you can enter: http://petpageant.humanesociety.org/contest.html?contestid=5])

For example, B-More Dog is participating in World Spay Day 2013 with the first B-More Dog SIP & SNIP Happy Hour Fundraiser to help provide free spay-and-neuter's for pit-bull dogs in the Baltimore area. Treat yourself to a specialty drink called the B-More Spay, participate in a 50/50 raffle, play fun spay/neuter games (you know you’re curious!), and get lots of information regarding the benefits of spaying and neutering and low cost spay/neuter resources! From 5-8 pm at The Horse You Came In On Saloon, 1626 Thames Street, Baltimore (worth attending just to say you were in The Horse You Came In On).