Blog for Jan 20th 2012, Everyone around here are napping at 2:30pm. We are putting in a new lawn on the side front yard. I can’t seem to get grass to grow normally there, so getting sod next week after it rains.  Journey, the new Bordeaux, is joining the gang well. She has no interest in the chickens when they are loose for a while, and getting use to the cat at night when we are on the couch. She is a heavy dog, so training is beginning early. The hardest thing is to push her out or pull her in! Chanel and her play all morning, chasing each other, playing tag and hide and seek with the ball. TIPS: Cleaning Ears  A good ear cleanser that does not keep the ear moist is Epi-Otic by Virbac. Petco or Petsmart does not sell it, but go to  www.Amazon.com  and you can find the best price.  Look for free shipping. I flush ears weekly and then dry them up with cotton balls, or tissue to absorb the fluid.  If your dogs ears are quite red inside, take a drive to the vet to check for an infection. She may need Clavamox to clear it up.  IF they are charging you an office visit, check the lungs and heart and see if  everything is functioning ok. If your dog is over 4 years old, I recommend a Chemistry panal and CBC, Thyroid screen to rule out Hypothyroidism yearly or whatever your vet recommends. Do you brush teeth?  If not, start now. My dad fails to do this for Sophia, so weekly I am there brushing her teeth and she hates it, but after 3 brushings in 10 days time, the gums stopped bleeding, and tarter beginning to fall off. She will go into the vet for a cleaning soon. Bacteria can fall off teeth and start an infection in the heart or blood stream.  There are different kinds of cleaners just for dogs, so get started daily if you can. Don’t forget eye lubricating drops daily also. Gel or thin ointment is good. Genteal is the best and kind of expensive, but again try www.Amazon.com and shop around for the best price. Stucky is calling me for a one on one nap time with me, so be up in 2 hours. Cyndi