Insurance for dogs: a necessity AZ Bone up on pet insurance if you have a dog. (We didn't get it and we should have.) [Arizona Republic]

Britain's oldest dog, age 27 UK Bramble, the collie, owes her longevity to good genes and meticulous care by her vegan owner, Anne Heritage. "She has a big bowl of rice, lentils and organic vegetables every evening. She's an inspiration and just goes to show that if you do eat the right things and keep on exercising, you can extend your life." [Daily Telegraph]

Cindy, a Jack Russell terrier and  Britain's second oldest dog at age 24, owes her longevity to four daily tea parties with her owner.

Therapy dog brings cheer to seniors IN  A five year old german shepherd named Munster takes part in a Paws for People Pet Therapy Program and his impact is huge, according to the Activities Director of Caritas Adult Health Day Services: "They might have had pets, it is something they can relate to. It's also wonderful social interaction, they'll talk about this all afternoon. My heart just sings to see them so interested in that dog." [Northwest Indiana News] Related: Please help Pets on Wheels (When our dog recovers from his knee injury (possible [partial] Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear), he'll return to his favorite activity: volunteering for Pets on Wheels.

Brush your dog's teeth AZ A vet dispenses great advice: "grab the brush and brush your dog's teeth." He even tells us how... very important if you want your dog to get in the record book as the "world's oldest dog."  [Arizona Repubic]

 Never one to give up after repeated failure on doggy teeth cleaning, I recently bought our dog yet another dental kit: "Denta Clean," which contained mint flavored mouth rinse (ugh, he hates it); sugar free breath mints (he won't touch them); gel mints for dogs shaped like little marrow bones (he loves them); tooth paste (no thanks, he closes him mouth adamantly); and toothbrush (easy to use). Our dog has never gotten used to getting his teeth cleaned, but he puts up with it since he knows he can't get out of it.

The last time our dog got his teeth cleaned, he came home missing a tooth, right in the middle of his winsome smile. When we realized a tooth was missing, we confirmed it with photos prior to teeth cleaning. He had poor nutrition as a puppy and no teeth cleanings until we adopted him, so this was normal for him. Precautions to take if your dog has loose teeth include never giving it a chew toy or bone which might pull them out and reminding the vet that your dog's teeth are loose when you take it in for its teeth cleaning (I forgot to tell our vet.). "Pet Gel", which contains Aloe Vera,  is supposed to sooth a dog's gums; Dao likes it and he smacks his lips less often at night when we remember to "lube" his teeth at bedtime.

Related: Should your dog get that bone?, Adventures in doggy teeth cleaning I, Adventures in doggy teeth cleaning II