Chew toys and rawhides help a little, but they are not enough to thoroughly clean your dogs' choppers.

If your dog already has tartar build-up, the article recommends taking him or her to the vet for a professional cleaning. Brevitz also recommends having the vet clean your pets' teeth if there is a likely chance the pet will bite you if you attempt it.

I would recommend checking with your vet first if you have any apprehension about becoming your pet's dental hygienist. If you are nervous or unsure, it likely won't be a good experience for you or your pet. Dogs can read your emotions better than you can.

If you think you have a dog that is amiable to a little brushing, here's what you need to get started:

• A soft toothbrush that fits your pooch's mouth (the human kind is fine)
• Doggy toothpaste (human toothpaste contains a foaming agent that can make dogs vomit, and it lacks the proper enzymes to fight doggy plaque)

Brevitz' instructions are to wet the brush, dab on the toothpaste, and use a gentle circular motion, concentrating at first on the upper canines (fangs) and the upper fourth molars (the first large teeth in the back of the mouth.) She wrote that these are the teeth that get accumulate the most tartar.

If you pooch has cooperated with your so far in brushing these four teeth, try for the others, focusing on the gum line where plaque tends to build up.

She said with practice you can accomplish a good cleaning in only a few minutes a day.

I plan to try it this weekend with the greyhounds first, since the extensive handling they had all their lives at the racetrack makes them pretty cooperative for almost anything we need to do for them.

Then we can try it on little Stormy. My biggest worry is that he will run off with his new chew toy, the toothbrush.

Anyone else have any experience with home dental hygiene? Post a comment and let us know what worked for you and especially what didn't.

Author and dog trainer Lorie Long will discuss her book "A Dog Who's Always Welcome: Assistance and Therapy Dog Trainers Teach You How to Socialize and Train Your Companion Dog" at the library's headquarters on Electric Road on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m.

Also that day at the Electric Road branch there will be a silent auction of gift items for pets and people who love pets from 1 to 4 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Roanoke Valley SPCA.

Bring the kids to hear children's author Tristan Perry, accompanied by her poodles Nutmeg and Mocha, read from her latest book "Furry Tails: The Adventures of Cinnamon Persimmon" at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20 at the Hollins branch.

And if you do decide to enter your sweetie in the ugly dog contest, e-mail the picture to pets@roanoke.com and I will post it here on the blog. Maybe we can drum up a few votes for you.

That's according to the nation's leading pediatricians' group in a new report about dangers from exotic animals.

Besides evidence that they can carry dangerous and sometimes potentially deadly germs, exotic pets may be more prone than cats and dogs to bite, scratch or claw — putting children younger than 5 particularly at risk, the report says.

Just imagine if he could have played off-leash with all his new friends. He might have slept through his own supper.

Yesterday's event raised an estimated $1,600 toward the $30,000 needed to erect the fence and add other amenities to the acre of land in Highland Park earmarked for the off-leash area.

The next fundraiser is “Going to the Dogs”, a block party to benefit not only the dog park, but also the RVSPCA and St. Francis Service Dogs. The event is scheduled for Oct. 29 in downtown Roanoke.

Click here for more details about the dog park and here for more details about the block party.

GreaterGood.org and Petfinder.com are sponsoring The Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter+ Challange. The goal is to provide up to $100,000 in support and assistance to selected American and Canadian animal rescue and welfare organizations, including Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue, Angels of Assisi, RVSPCA, Regional Animal Control and other locally-based groups.

From now until Dec.14, supporters can log on to The Animal Rescue Site each day and vote for a resuce group. At the end of the contest, the rescue group with the highest number of votes will take the grand prize of $25,000 and the runner-up will be awarded $10,000.

The highest vote-getter in each state, D.C. and Puerto Rico will earn $1,000, as will one group each week that tallies the most votes nationwide.

There is no cost to vote, so this is a pretty painless way to help a good cause.

Supporters can enter one vote per day per computer, so if you want to help local groups, you could adopt a shotgun approach and vote for each of your favorite groups in turn, or you could vote each day for just one group to maximize its chances of winning.

Click here for all the rules and click here to cast your daily vote.

(Note: If you use the search engine to find your favortie local group, you will find seven that are eligible in Roanoke, but you must enter Hardy as the city to find the Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue.)

Blessing of the animals
Annual tradition to honor St. Francis of Assisi, all animals can receive a blessing.
Where: St. Philip Lutheran Church, 8115 Williamson Road, Roanoke
When: Sunday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m.
Cost: Free

Dogs for dogs
Re-scheduled fundraiser for the Roanoke Dog Park. Events include a talent contest and doggy kissing booth. Dogs are encouraged to bring their well-behaved, leashed humans.
Where: Highland Park, downtown Roanoke
When: Sunday, Oct. 5, noon to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free, food and other item for sale

Dogtoberfest
Festival fundraiser for St. Francis Service Dogs includes parade, agility course, food, music and activities. Leashed dogs are welcome with proof of current rabies vaccines.
Where: St. Francis Service Dogs, 8232 Enon Drive, Roanoke
When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: www.saintfrancisdogs.org

Spay-ghetti dinner
Spaghetti with sauce (meat or vegetarian), bread, salad, dessert and beverage; eat-in or carry-out; curb-side delivery available for advance orders. All proceeds support the Roanoke Valley SPCA spay/neuter clinic.
Where: St. John’s Episcopal Church, Jefferson and Elm Streets, downtown Roanoke
When: Thursday, Oct. 16, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $6 in advance, $7.50 at the door
Contact: www.rvscpa.org

Howl’oween Ball
Party for the animals at this fundraiser for the Franklin County Humane Society. Food, entertainment, dancing, costume contest, auction and cash bar.
Where: Franklin County YMCA’s Essig Youth Center, Rocky Mount
When: Saturday, Oct. 25, 6 to 10 p.m.
Cost: $25 per person
Contact: 489-3491 or plannedpethoodrockymount.com

Howl-O-Ween Walk for the Animals
Fundraiser for Roanoke Valley SPCA. All individuals and teams must register to walk; leashed pets are welcome. Event includes pet/owner costume contest, microchip clinic and canine DNA testing.
Where: Elmwood Park downtown Roanoke
When: Sunday, Oct. 26, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 for microchips, $65 for DNA testing
Contact: www.rvscpa.org or firstgiving.com/walkfortheanimals

Going to the Dogs
Block party with live music and barbeque. Fundraiser for Saint Francis Service Dogs, the Roanoke Dog Park and Roanoke Valley SPCA.
Where: downtown Roanoke
When: Wednesday, Oct. 29
Contact: www.newvaconnects.org

Sylvester does all the footwork as the duo rides across America on an adventure called Tour de Dog. Chiva rides in style, pulled in a wheeled trailer by her favorite cyclist.

The Seattle resident and his pooch embarked on this cross-country tour in mid-March and have now visited 14 states, logged in 4,450 miles, and drummed up $4,670 in donations. Goals for the tour include raising awareness for the welfare of animals and raising funds for animal shelters.

According to his blog, Sylvester is a biomedical engineer and vaccine scientist who is following his passion for animal welfare by networking with and touring shelters, giving presentations to communities, and talking to the media. He writes that he also plans to produce a documentary.

Chiva, a 50-pound, 2-and-a-half-year-old shepherd/husky/boxer/chow mix, adopted Sylvester when they met in an animal shelter in their native state, Delaware. The beautiful pooch is named for a public transportation system in Columbia, where Sylvester spent two summers.

(I found that ironic because there are buses named after two of my dogs, and this guy names his dog after a bus. Oh, I am so easily amused.)

There is no posted itinerary for the remainder of the tour, and so far I have not heard back from the biker or his publicist. If and when Tour de Dog comes to Virginia, I will be sure to let you know.

You can follow the tour by clicking on this link right here.

(Photo from bikingdog.blogspot.com)

1. Are you ready to make a long-term commitment? Adopting a pet means being responsible for his or her health and happiness for the rest of the pet's life; this could be up to 15 years or longer for dogs.

2. Is the animal right for your household? A strong, active pet may be too much for a young child or elderly person to handle. Small pets may be too delicate for rough play with children. Always make sure that everyone in the household agrees to adopt an animal.

3. Who will be the primary caretaker for the animal? One adult in the home should be designated as the primary caretaker so that the pet's needs do not become lost in the shuffle of busy schedules.

4. Can you afford the animal? The cost of a pet is more than just the purchase price or adoption fee; remember to include the cost of food, pet supplies, veterinarian bills and training.

5. Are you ready to commit to making this dog a good canine citizen? A well-trained dog is a pleasure and is welcome in public parks, on walks, and as a visitor. Research shows that people who take the time to train their dogs are more likely to keep them longer than people who don't.

Keep checking The Happy Wag this month for helpful tidbits on pets, including from how to introduce a new dog to an existing pack (been there, done that) and to how to choose the other important people and places in your pet's life, like a vet, a groomer, and a kennel.

LeNoir said he took Jake, a 14-pound, 2-year-old rat terrier that he and his wife adopted from a shelter, to the pier for a daily swim. Last Friday, Jake encountered more than jellyfish as he paddled through the water.

Jake’s pet dad said he dove in the water after he saw Jake dragged under, and hit the 5-foot shark as hard as he could with his fist.

“It was like hitting concrete,” LeNoir is quoted in the Herald article.

The shark did let go of Jake, who swam back to shore with LeNoir right behind him.

Jake suffered punctures to skin and muscle, but is expected to make a full recovery.

''He looks great and is recuperating well,'' veterinarian Suzanne Sigel is quoted. ``I was worried he may have inhaled saltwater when he was pulled under, but there's no evidence of infection or pneumonia. He's healing great.''

(Photo from WHEC-TV Rochester, N.Y. Web site)

Sunday, Oct 5 - Dogs for Dogs in Highland Park from noon to 4 p.m.

A day of fun is planned for the entire family, including four-legged members (dogs are welcome on leash, please). Cash donations will be accepted at this event, and official dog park T-shirts ($15 each) and dog park bumper stickers ($5 each) will be sold. A schedule of the day’s activities includes:

• Dog Park Informational Showcase – noon to 4 p.m. Residents of the Old Southwest neighborhood and greater Roanoke community are invited to learn more about plans for this fenced, off-leash, public dog park. Information will be provided on fencing materials, gating, benches, waste receptacles, landscaping, and more. The proposed one-acre site within Highland Park will be roped-off so residents can visualize the dog park’s dimensions.

• Buddy Wash and Nail Trim – noon to 3 p.m. For a $10 donation, dogs will be bathed, and for an additional $10 donation, veterinary professionals will provide nail trims.

• Dogs for Dogs – noon to 2 p.m. Enjoy a lunchtime meal of hot dogs, chips, and a soft drink for a $5 donation. The Roanoke Dog Park Steering Committee thanks Kroger for their generous donation of food and supplies for the “Dogs for Dogs” fundraising event.

• Dog Kissing Booth – noon to 3:00 pm. For a $1 donation, get (or give!) a kiss from Rudy the Dalmatian, otherwise known as "The Kissing Bandit."

• Roanoke’s Greatest Dog Talent Show – 3 p.m. Everyone believes his or her dog is the world’s greatest. By making a $5 donation, proud pet parents finally have the opportunity to prove it. Contest categories range from “Best Trick,” “Best Dressed,” and “Mirror Image” (person and dog who look most alike), to “Biggest Dog,” “Smallest Dog,” and “Best in Show” (overall crowd favorite). Prizes, including dog park T-shirts, pet treats, and pet store gift certificates, will be awarded.

Dexter once again did battle with his arch enemy, the smelly cat. And once again, Dexter lost.

My hubby let our early-rising dogs out Saturday morning just after 5, with full plans to bring them back in and head back to bed. Ah, it was not to be. He hollers up the stairs at me that we have another skunk emergency.

I would have figured that out anyway as I stumbled from my deep sleep and got a noseful of the rank odor wafting through our house.

We go into emergency clean-up mode, segregating the non-skunked dogs from the one who reeks, gathering the ingredients for the magic skunk-busting elixir, and choosing what old towels I won't mind tossing once we are done.

We need to fill up a bucket with the proper ratio of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish soap (recipe follows after the jump.) My hubs asks me how many cups are in a quart.

Did I mention it's not yet 6 a.m. on a Saturday, I am only half-awake, and I really hate number problems? This question almost caused a meltdown on my part. (The answer is four, by the way.)

The mixture does have to be in the right proportions and slathered on the dog immediately or it won't be as effective. We conjure up the potion on our screened porch and drench our poor dog in it, and all the while he is slobbering profusely because we are pretty sure he got sprayed right in the mouth and neck area.

Then we hose him off and he runs and shakes a little, rub him down in clean towels, light every scented candle, spray the contents of all the Febreeze and Glade aerosols we had, and head to the family room to watch SportsCenter.

What else do you do with a sad, wet dog in a smelly house at 6 a.m. on a Saturday?

Dexter felt pretty sorry for himself the rest of the day. He snoozed and dreamed on the couch a lot, no doubt reliving his defeat at the tail of Pepe LePew, wondering where he went wrong. He had to be escorted into the back yard for potty breaks because he was afraid the offending beast was still lurking somewhere.

By Sunday he was feeling more secure and today he was fine. No lasting damage done.

Moral of the story: The skunks are out there folks. Keep this recipe handy and hope this doesn't happen to you.

Sunday, Oct 5th - Dogs for Dogs in Highland Park from Noon to 4 p.m.

A day of fun is planned for the entire family, including four-legged members (dogs are welcome on leash, please). Cash donations will be accepted at this event, and official dog park T-shirts ($15 each) and dog park bumper stickers ($5 each) will be sold. A schedule of the day’s activities includes:

• Dog Park Informational Showcase – Noon to 4 p.m. Residents of the Old Southwest neighborhood and greater Roanoke community are invited to learn more about plans for this fenced, off-leash, public dog park. Information will be provided on fencing materials, gating, benches, waste receptacles, landscaping, and more. The proposed one-acre site within Highland Park will be roped-off so residents can visualize the dog park’s dimensions.

• Buddy Wash and Nail Trim – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For a $10 donation, dogs will be bathed, and for an additional $10 donation, veterinary professionals will provide nail trims.

• Dogs for Dogs – noon to 2 p.m. Enjoy a lunchtime meal of hot dogs, chips, and a soft drink for a $5 donation. The Roanoke Dog Park Steering Committee thanks Kroger for their generous donation of food and supplies for the “Dogs for Dogs” fundraising event.

• Roanoke’s Greatest Dog Talent Show – 2 p.m. Everyone believes their dog is the world’s greatest. By making a $5 donation, proud pet parents finally have the opportunity to prove it. Contest categories range from “Best Trick,” “Best Dressed,” and “Mirror Image” (person and dog who look most alike), to “Biggest Dog,” “Smallest Dog,” and “Best in Show” (overall crowd favorite). Prizes, including dog park T-shirts, pet treats, and pet store gift certificates, will be awarded.

To volunteer - email Lauren Ellerman at lellerman@frithlawfirm.com.

Well, as happy as you can reasonably expect a cat to be, anyway. Disdain is their default setting, after all. That's what I admire and love about kitties; their cynicism is all wrapped up in purrs and delivered with just enough leg rubbings to make you keep trying to please them.

Thanks to everyone for playing along this week. Stay tuned for more contests and giveaways, if you can try to make it out to the dog park fundraiser tomorrow, and have a great weekend!