Clean teeth leads to less health problems and better smelling breath

Most of us probably brush our teeth twice a day. Probably a good majority floss at least one time daily.
Dentists for some time have been sounding the alarm about how important dental hygiene is to prevent other forms of disease; gum disease, cavities, loss of bone structure in the mouth and even heart attack.
Those same warnings apply to pets such as dogs. The importance of keeping your pooches teeth clean and plaque free have been documented and are as important as annual injections.
When you take your dog into the vet, hopefully on a yearly basis to keep it's shots updated, the vet should look in your dogs mouth and observed gum and teeth condition.
A recommendation may be made to have the dogs cleaned in the office at a later date or to remove some teeth that are rotting.
At home, you can help prevent tooth, gum and bad breath problems by introducing tooth brushing gradually to your dog.
Pet stores will had toothpaste specifically for dogs. Do not use human tooth paste due to some of the ingredients in it.
You'll want to pick up a doggie tooth brush or finger brush. Begin with letting the dog smell the toothpaste for a few days before putting a little on the brush and letting them get used to that.
Once you do start to brush, only clean the outside of the teeth. Raise the lip up or down with one hand  to allow the brush to get into the dog's mouth. Keep the time for brushing brief because the dog's attention span is short.
If you can brush the dog's teeth once a week, great. If you can do it daily or a little more often, that's even better.
Another way to keep teeth clean is allowing them to play with a chew toy of some kind. Check with your vet or pet shop for recommendations.

Molly, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Last ice fishing school of the season

In nothing else, Mark Martin's final ice fishing school participants had great weather. Not much wind for openers which meant wind chills and that bitter cold was all but a memory.
"The sun was shining. It was just about perfect except the bite was slow," Martin said. "We could see the fish lying on or near the bottom with our cameras but there weren't many takers.
And as usual, on the last day, just before packing it in, Martin gave it one last chance, but moved a little.
"Boy I got into them," he said. "You should have been there. I could have had a limit in no time."
Limit is a key word, especially on this fishery. As we were waiting for our classmates to arrive at Linwood Beach Marina, a DNR conservation officer was having a word with four anglers.
Later, he stopped to talk with me. "We are on the lookout for registrations and helmets but we also pay attention to people with too many fish.
"The limit is five in possession daily. This guy was bringing his fish in along with a buddies who was still on the ice. That's illegal and we'll write a violation for it any time."
As the CO explained, "We're here trying to protect the resource." When he finished his explanation, all those in our group thanked him for the job he was doing.
It's been said before, if you are going to do it, then do it right. Otherwise don't do it at all.

Lots of ice but few fish

Whatever the rhyme or reason, walleyes seemed to have a case of the lockjaw on Saginaw Bay last Sunday and Monday when the second session of Mark Martin's Ice Fishing Vacation School convened out of Linwood Beach Marina.
Talk of where to go went from a couple mile out to eight or ten miles from the Marina in Linwood. Those longer runs can be iffy even in all the cold weather we've been experiencing.
Once the wind kicks up, pressure cracks you crossed on the way out may be open water several feet wide on the trip back after a days fishing.
Saginaw Bay is one body of water you don't drive to and go fishing without some prior knowledge from local anglers or bait shop owners or your own experience.
I wouldn't go it alone on the Bay either. Too much can happen like sleds breaking down, white outs, or some sort of injury.
Leave word with someone as to where you will be launching, the area you expect to fish and the time you will be coming off the ice.
Unlike Lake St. Clair where anglers are rescued floating on a large ice flow, Saginaw Bay seems to take the unwary into it's ice cold depths.
Don Luenberger pictured below showing how he carries his ice lures is from Bay City and fishes the Bay nearly 200 times during the year.
Although this is his "home water," Luenberger doesn't take any unnecessary chances. "There aren't any fish worth it," he often says.

More snow so what's new

In north Oakland County we woke this morning to several inches of new, overnight snow. I'm waiting for it to quit falling to clear out the drive. That snowblower has paid for itself this year.
With record amounts of snow piling up, what happens when we get a good thaw and this stuff has to go someplace?
Rivers, streams and lakes will eventually be the recipients of the run off. So will basements, roofs and  storm sewers.
A few years ago while attempting to fish the south branch of the AuSable River in late spring, wading was impossible above Chase Bridge due to high water levels and extremely fast currents.
Even in the Mason Tract, places normally fished in somewhat peaceful waters that held trout, conditions made wading nearly impossible.
All along the river, the fish that were purported to be in certain holes were nowhere to be found. This condition lasted up to and including the hex season that occurs in June.
Unless we begin to get some slow melt-off, these conditions are likely to persist and last well into the trout season.
Like an old hunting partner used to say about his grandfather fishing Saginaw Bay with one of his son's, 'better hear her for shore Andy. There's a high sea comin'.

Gilda's Club victim to cold weather

Gilda's Club on Rochester Road in Royal Oak was on the receiving end of the bad side of winter. Wednesday, a fire suppression pipe broke sending gallons of water from the third floor all the way to the basement.
Walls, floors, carpets, equipment and furniture, were some of the items that were damaged by the burst pipe.
Gilda's, named for the famous comedienne, Gilda Radner, who was from the Detroit area, was founded to be a source of comfort, information and activities for people undergoing treatment for cancer. Radner died several years ago from cancer.
Damage is estimated to be $200,000 to the 9600-square-foot house built in 1912. A company has been at Gilda's since the incident, drying up water, tearing drywall out back to the studs, and other clean up.
The house is like a second home to many of it's members who find comfort, peace and understanding through the various programs and groups offered that are all free.
Currently, clean up professionals are on site, but volunteers will be needed and welcome when it comes time to move furniture and other office-related equipment back in.
For more information or to find out where monetary donations can be send, visit www.gildasclub.detroit.org or call (248) 577-0800.
This worthy organization has been helping people who are struggling with cancer and the after affects of treatment.
Now this very organization is in need of much appreciated any help and support you may be able to offer.