Grin with Confidence During National Smile Month 2022
National Smile Month is a campaign held throughout the UK to raise awareness of the importance of good oral hygiene. National Smile Month 2022 aims to spread the message of the importance of oral hygiene to maintain a bright and white smile - like these two fluffsters pictured above 😁
If you have a dog that enjoys having its teeth cleaned then there's a bonus. I've yet to come across a dog that does and I've owned dogs for over thirty years!
My first dog, Tammy, used to curl her lip and snarl as soon as she saw a toothbrush.
My second dog, Willow, would run the other way or clamp her mouth shut whilst throwing her head from side to side.
Poppy, however, is an exception. She wags her tail the moment she sees her toothbrush and tube of meat flavoured toothpaste. The problem is, she licks the paste off the brush before I've had a chance to even get close to her teeth.
Devon lashes her head from side to side and tries to distract with a tennis ball. I guess playtime is more fun than having her teeth cleaned.
Yet, just like with humans, dental hygiene is important for our canine companions too.
Poor dental care in dogs can lead to tartar, plaque buildup and gingivitis - an early stage of gum disease.
I've used dental sticks in the past, which all my dogs have liked. Although this method is better than nothing, a vet did warn me that they are full of calories so not ideal if wanting to keep your dog from gaining weight. So, what else could I use?
After much researching, I found foods that help maintain our four-legged friend's dental health. Here are just a few:
Raw bones (not cooked). Cooked bones are brittle and prone to break off into sharp shards. Raw bones though are packed with calcium. Chewing on a raw meaty bone helps to clean the teeth and so helps to prevent a build-up of tartar which would then lead to gum disease. Raw bones are full of enzymes and probiotics which stop bad bacteria in a dog’s mouth.
Cranberries. These superfoods contain substances associated with the formation of dental plaque. Due to its special ingredients, they also stop bacteria from sticking to surfaces.
Apples. I found this piece of advice from the Blue Cross Website:
Apples are a fantastic addition to your dog’s diet; they provide vitamin A, vitamin C and dietary fibre. They also provide a way to keep your dog’s teeth clean and helps to freshen their breath!
A smile can brighten your day, especially if you're feeling a bit down. I can't get enough of Poppy and Devon's bright smiles. I've compiled a small 'Goldie Grin Gallery' for you in case you're in need of a smile today 💖
So, these girls always put a smile on my face, but what puts a smile on their faces? Well, here are just a few things:
Food. Yep, that one definitely goes on the top of the list.
Walks. Guaranteed to put a smile on their face especially when racing around the forest.
Belly rubs. They go into the 'zone' as you can see in the fifth picture in the Goldie Grin Gallery 😁🐾
Rabbits. They just love to chase them!
Squirrels. They just love to chase them.
Pigeons. Yes, you guessed it - they love to chase them too 😁
Basically, they are two very happy girls. When I first set up Poppy's Instagram account I called it Crazy Cream Retriever - because that is exactly what she is 😁 When Devon came along, I altered it to Crazy Cream Retrievers. OK, so Devon is only partially cream, but she's still crazy. I could have changed the IG name to Crazy Golden Retrievers because - as their breeder, Ann told me - there's no such thing as a cream retriever, they are all golden retrievers, but I like the name so that's why it's stuck!
If you'd like to check out their daily craziness, you'll find them on Instragram @crazy.cream.retrievers.x
So that's what makes me smile. We've covered what makes 'the girls' smile - so what makes YOU smile?
Happy National Smile Month everyone!
Speak soon,
Gillian and the girls
Author and stars of the children's books:
Poppy on Safari and
Poppy Loves Devon,
and Tammy and Willow. 📖🐾