In 1995 an elderly gentleman brought in his scruffy and ill tempered puppy. Little did Best Friends know, we would have a LONG journey and relationship with “Buddy”.

After many annual visits, Buddy was diagnosed with large bladder stones, surgery was the only option. He made a full recovery, yet only a short year after, he was diagnosed with Diabetes. His owner was under the care of hospice nurses that went above and beyond to help care for Buddy which included insulin injections twice a day. Unfortunately, Buddy’s temper made it difficult to regulate his diabetes since he refused the injections by using his teeth.

A few challenging months passed, Buddy’s eyes failed and resulted in glaucoma. Both painful eyes needed to be surgically removed. Due to the owners financial status and health, he could not afford the essential surgery. Dr. Tom Strolle generously donated his time and equipment to aid in Buddy’s quality of life.

Without the sense of sight Buddy’s aggression became almost intolerable. His daily insulin injections were almost impossible to maintain and his health suffered.

Three short months later his owner passed away and the hospice nurse was leaving. Who would care for Buddy?

I returned from my honeymoon to find a small off white dog that had the lingering sent of pipe tobacco. On his cage read a sign: “ I know you’ll find someone to care for him”. Buddy came home with me.

We created a routine. I earned his respect and trust. He had to get used to new surroundings, and smells. The bitterness he felt towards his injections subsided once he realized it followed with a treat. He no longer bit us. He would “sit pretty” and receive his shot with bravery.

With regulated Diabetes he felt much better. He was learning to navigate our one acre property, and when he was lost he would follow the sound to the other dog’s tags to help him out of a bind. The other dogs were very watchful over Buddy. He learned to maneuver himself from the gravel to the grass, and learned that if he pushed hard enough the gate would open and he could sneak into the cat’s food, I even caught him on the couch a time or two.

Buddy lived with me for two extraordinary years until he passed peacefully in my arms under the apple tree. We learned so much from Buddy. He was so intelligent and strong. He lived amazingly with us and astonished us everyday.

Special Thank you to Best Friends Animal Clinic, and Tom Strolle whom helped lead his path to mine, and donated so much care towards my little Buddy dog.

Below is information about Dental Health Facts from petdental.com

Dog Dental Facts

• Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt at about three to four weeks of age. They have 42 permanent teeth that begin to emerge at about four months.
• Symptoms of gum disease in dogs include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line, inflamed gums and persistent bad breath.
• Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.

Cat Dental Facts

• Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that begin to erupt at about two to three weeks of age. They have 30 permanent teeth that erupt at about three to four months.
• Symptoms of periodontal disease in cats include yellow and brown tartar buildup along the gum line, red inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath.
• Resorptive lesions are the most common tooth disease in domestic cats. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.

Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets.

• An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS). 
• Periodontal disease is a common problem in dogs, particularly smaller breeds. 
• Cats can develop painful resorptive lesions. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.

Oral disease begins with a buildup of bacteria in the pet´s mouth.

• Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formulations that accumulate on the tooth. As bacteria grow in the plaque and as calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to tartar. 
• Bacterial plaque is the most important substrate in the development of periodontal disease. The inflammation and destruction that accompanies periodontal disease results from the direct action of bacteria and their by-products on periodontal tissues as well as the indirect activation of the host immune response.
• Without proper preventive or therapeutic care, plaque and tartar buildup leads to periodontal disease, which affects the tissues and structures supporting the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause oral pain, dysfunction, tooth loss and systemic complications.
• Tartar has a contributory role due to its roughened surface, which enhances bacterial attachment and further plaque development, and also irritates gingival tissues.

Periodontitis may lead to other health problems.

• Periodontal disease causes red, swollen and tender gums, receding gums, bleeding, pain and bad breath. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.
• The inflammation and infection associated with periodontal disease may damage other organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys, or lead to other serious health problems.

Pet owners should look for warning signs of oral disease.

• Common indications of oral disease include bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face or mouth and depression.
• If any of these signs are present, the pet should be taken to the veterinarian for a dental exam.
• Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.

The good news is that pet owners can reduce the risk of oral disease by following AVDS recommendations!

• The first step in preventing oral disease is a routine physical examination including a dental exam.
• Pet owners should practice a regular dental care regimen at home, which may include brushing the pet´s teeth with specially formulated toothpaste. It´s best to start early, but grown dogs and cats can learn to tolerate brushing. Toothpaste for humans is not recommended because it may upset the pet´s stomach.
• Schedule regular follow-up care with your family veterinarian and ask about specially formulated foods with proven benefits in plaque and tartar removal.