Roxy's breath has been horrible and I thought I cleaned out all the nooks and crannies around her teeth and in her gum line. She was still licking and lapping, so I put her in the tub and stood over her and lifted her head up and checked her gums again. (She has no traction to back up and try to escape in the tub.) I found a new crevice full of hair that I had missed before. Her breath no longer stinks and she stopped licking!

I should try to take a video of me cleaning out the creases in her mouth so others would know what I'm talking about. I know that some dogs don't have the deep creases. Roxy has creases across the roof of her mouth from behind her front teeth all the way to the back. At the front, the first three creases are about 1/4 inch deep and they get more shallow towards her tonsils. I have to clean the tufts of hair that collect in those pockets once every week or so.


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"