If you are returning to the dating world after a long time away or if you have not had the dating life you hoped for, maybe it is time to try something different.

Mini and Smokey are a bonded pair of 12-year-old pure bred Pomeranians who were surrendered by their owners who could no longer care for them. Mini is a very outgoing girl who likes to play with toys and do twirls and jump into your arms. Smokey is more reserved and timid and depends on Mini for everything. He follows her wherever she goes, lays where she lays and really needs her. Smokey has alopecia, a skin condition that is common for Poms which causes them to lose their hair, but otherwise he is healthy. Both babies are snuggle bunnies and love to be held. Both are kennel and leash trained. Even though they are approximately 12 they do not act their age. They MUST go to the same home.

4855 E. Warner Road, Suite B9

After eight years of treating orthodontic patients with lingual braces, Dr. Ken Danyluk brings patients in Ahwatukee a more inconspicuous option.

As many students are training for football, baseball, hockey, soccer, and other sports, this is also the time of year for sports-related injuries. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), sports-related dental injuries send approximately 600,000 youths to the emergency room each year involving children as young as 5 years old. Prevention is a large aspect of oral health. Oral health prevention includes the prevention of injury to the mouth, teeth, neck, and jaws. In an attempt to promote awareness of facial injury prevention, five organizations have sponsored April as being the National Facial Protection Month: American Dental Association (ADA), American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Academy for Sports Dentistry. Contact sports such as football, hockey, and basketball are common sources of oral injury; however, other sports such as gymnastics and volleyball pose a threat as well. Common head and neck injuries can include concussions, fractured teeth, oral lacerations, jaw joint sprains, and neck injuries.

Periodontal disease affects over 85 percent of dogs over 4 years old. Anesthesia-free teeth cleaning for dogs at Bone-Appetit is being offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 13, 4810 E. Ray Road, Suite 5, for $150. This cleaning is low stress, effective for general cleanings and veterinarian assisted by Dr. Tim Patterson.

Cherokee is a 5-year-old parti-colored purebred Pomeranian. He has a stunning long coat and great teeth. Cherokee is very social and playful, he loves children, is great with other dogs but not cats. He is housebroken, although, he needs a refresher course in potty training. He listens well and is a talker in return. He also great on a leash. Cherokee weighs 10 pounds, is neutered, current on vaccinations and has a microchip.

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Barbara Cude dreams about giving public speeches — or at least she did once.

Periodontal disease affects more than 85 percent of dogs over 4 years old. Anesthesia-free teeth cleaning for dogs at Bone-Appetit is being offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, April 8 at 4810 E. Ray Road, Suite 5, for $150. This cleaning is low stress, low cost, effective for general cleanings and veterinarian assisted by Dr. Tim Patterson.

Surprise is a female Cocker/Poodle blend that weighs in at about 25 pounds. She’s about 10 years old and was severely matted when she was turned in to the Yuma Humane Society ... once she got all cleaned up, had some bad teeth pulled ... Surprise — there was this beautiful girl. She enjoys relaxing with her people. Surprise is housetrained, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.

Brigit is a “senior girl” and a very outgoing and loving cat. Due to poor nutrition in her life, all of her teeth had to be extracted. Brigit has recovered and is doing really well with soft food and gumming dry food. She has long, soft fur that needs regular combing. Her fuzzy feet hide her toenails, which also need regular trimming.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. This special observance started as a one-day event in 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio, to raise public awareness about the importance of oral health. By 1949, the American Dental Association (ADA) held its first national Children’s Dental Health Day on Feb. 8. The local festivities included school essay and poster contests, health fairs, free dental screenings, presentations, and various activities to stimulate children’s interests about dental health. Soon the special day affair became a week-long event in 1955, and in 1981 became a month-long observation known today as National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Gov. Jan Brewer said Monday she needs to be convinced that the bipartisan plan of U.S. senators for immigration reform will have real teeth.

Dr. Chris Woolaver

Los Angeles   •   Dogs and cats can’t brush, spit, gargle or floss on their own. So owners who want to avoid bad pet breath will need to lend a hand.

Millie brings joy to all who meet her

Students from Ahwatukee Foothills elementary schools tried a new craft project at Kyrene de la Estrella during this year’s winter recess.

"Les Misérables” has had a long, arduous journey to the silver screen. It’s been in the works for so long that at one point the film was going to be directed by the now retired Alan Parker, who made the original “Fame” and 1996 adaptation of “Evita.” After decades of rotting in development limbo, the cherished musical finally sees the light of day via the artistic eye of director Tom Hooper of “The King’s Speech. Hooper’s interpretation of “Les Misérables” is a majestic experience composed of enormous sets, elegant costumes, and pitch perfect performances from the entire ensemble. This may very well be the most triumphant movie musical since the genre made a comeback a decade ago with “Moulin Rouge!” and “Chicago.”

The headache, sometimes handy as an excuse, more often than not, a very real, annoying discomfort. For some, it is a pain that is debilitating and in some rare instances a headache could signal an emergency medical situation.

Have you ever said “thank you” through clenched teeth? The gift in that nicely wrapped box was so not what you wanted: comfy clothes instead of designer duds, or a kitchen gadget instead of a shiny piece of jewelry.