Pet Momma

Some weeks around here feel like a very on‑brand mix of “cat teeth drama” and “tiny dog running full speed at an A‑frame.” This has definitely been one of those weeks.

Puck’s Teeth: From Drool to Dental
A few weeks ago, we noticed that Puck was drooling a little bit and being extra pesty, and at first I couldn’t figure out what he was trying to tell us. Puck is very good at letting us know when something is wrong, so the “clingy, rub‑his-face-on-us” behavior got my attention pretty quickly. Years ago, when he had urinary tract issues, he literally led us to the litter box, sat in it, and howled until we realized he needed help, so when he starts acting off, I pay attention.

This time, the clue was his breath. Once we noticed how bad it smelled, it was off to the vet. The verdict: some bad teeth that needed to go. Puck went in for a dental cleaning, had four teeth removed, and came home groggy but quickly went back to being his opinionated, snuggly self.

The not‑so‑fun part? Cat dentals are expensive these days, especially once extractions are involved. The good part is that almost immediately after he recovered from anesthesia, he seemed more comfortable. I suspect his mouth had been bothering him longer than he let on.

Bean’s Turn (Because of Course)
Just when I thought we were through the worst of the cat dental adventures, Bean had his checkup. Overall, both cats looked good, but Bean has one bad tooth and some tartar, and our vet recommended a dental for him as well.

 Part of me wishes there were a magical way to do cat teeth without anesthesia, because that’s where so much of the cost comes from, but for now, that’s just part of responsible cat care. Two cat dentals in one season is not my favorite budgeting challenge, but I keep reminding myself that mouth pain is miserable and cats are very good at hiding it.

Between Puck’s extractions and Bean’s upcoming dental, I’m more motivated than ever to stay on top of brushing and home care to stretch out the time between future professional cleanings.

Why Cat Teeth Matter (Even When They Pretend They’re Fine)
If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know how all‑consuming it can be. Cats, of course, don’t tell us they hurt; they keep eating, keep grooming, and maybe just get a little quieter or clingier. With both Puck and Bean, the signs were subtle: drooling, bad breath, and small changes in behavior rather than dramatic symptoms.

Now that I’ve watched Puck bounce back from his dental, I’m convinced that cat teeth are one of those “pay now or pay more (and in pain) later” situations. I’d rather spend the money proactively than find out years from now that they’ve been living with sore mouths.

So that’s the cat side of things: one kitty with fewer teeth but a better quality of life, and another waiting his turn.

Meanwhile, in Dog Agility Land…
While the cats handle their dental journeys, Stanley and I are busy in a very different department: agility.

I went to my first agility club meeting last week. I assumed it was just for humans, so I left Stan at home… and then watched several people walk in with their dogs like it was the most normal thing in the world. Even without him there, it was a great experience. Everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and I left feeling like I joined at exactly the right time.

Our club’s big trial is coming up in May, and I’ll be volunteering so I can see what everything looks like from the inside. I’m excited (and a little nervous) to get a feel for how a full trial day runs, what the energy is like, and how dogs handle being around all those sights, sounds, and smells.

In June, the club will have a booth at a fundraising event for the SPCA where I take classes. There’s going to be a small agility course and demos. I don’t think I’ll be ready for an official demo yet, but I’ve already been told I can volunteer at the booth and run the course at an unofficial time so Stan can try it out with people and distractions around. That feels like the perfect low‑pressure way to dip our toes (and paws) into the “real world” of agility.

Getting Ready: Travel Crate and Focus Work
If we ever do compete, Stanley will need to be comfortable hanging out in a travel crate while we wait for our runs. That means I need to stop just thinking about a crate and actually get one, and then do the slow, patient work of making it a happy place. Stanley loves his crate at home, so it is just a matter of getting him used to a travel crate.

 I found a used portable travel crate, on Facebook Marketplace. I wasn’t going to buy one right now, but it was less than half the price of new, and it had only been used for a couple of weeks.  I just got it, so now I’ll start introducing it at home with all the good stuff: comfy bedding, chews, and short, positive sessions so it becomes his little safe den instead of “the boring place I sit when mom disappears.”

Class-wise, Stan is still doing weekly agility and having a blast. Two weeks ago we had a rough night—he was super distracted and not listening at all. I’ve been working hard on “with me,” “watch me,” and “touch” (hand targeting) to help him stay engaged when the world gets interesting. He’s brave about obstacles; the real work right now is focus and teamwork.

Last class, we worked on the teeter, which he’s only done once before. He ran right up like it was no big deal. He’s solid on the tunnel, the A‑frame, and the other equipment. It’s the in‑between pieces—staying with me, reading my cues, and remembering that zoomies are not always on the lesson plan—that we’re working through.

Now that the weather is nicer, I’ve been setting up jumps and weave poles on the back porch and practicing outside. It’s not as distracting as class, but it’s a big step up from our quiet living room. Birds, neighborhood noises, and random smells make great “practice distractions.”

Playdates, Practice, and a House Full of Projects
Because Stan has a lot of energy (and feelings), I’ve also started trying to line up playdates with other small dogs. We had one playdate last week with a dog from his rescue network. It went pretty well, though I suspect Stan may be a little on the “too enthusiastic” side for her. We’re going to try again next week and see how they do with a second meeting.

We also met an adorable little dog at the dog park that he absolutely loved playing with. I was supposed to meet her again last week, but the weather didn’t cooperate. I’m planning to try the same time again this week and see if we run into them. Note to self: next time, just exchange numbers instead of trusting my luck!

So that’s life here at the moment: one cat recovering from dental extractions, another waiting for his own date with the toothbrush and scaler, a tiny dog learning that teeters are fun and focus is hard, and me trying to keep everyone’s teeth, brains, and bodies busy and healthy.

Soon, Hector has her six month check up, so I’ll be sure to update after that.

If you’ve dealt with cat dentals or have tips for improving Stanley’s focus, I’d love to hear them in the comments.