In the teeth of the evidence

Yesterday, Mr Noah  was feeling a bit sorry for himself, the dreaded appointment had arrived for the pulling of a tooth. Three weeks ago, M. Fresch, our dentist, had reluctantly informed me that there was nothing further to be done to one of my lower right molars. The nerve had been removed ages ago, but now apparently the remaining stump had perforated and nothing could be constructed on such a poor foundation.
  I feel part of his reluctance was due to the fact that a patient's surviving tooth can be a source of dental revenue for year, as good as a pension... Still, I have several crowned teeth which are still valiantly chewing away, so we both benefit.
  One of the things I most appreciate about M. Fresch, is that he avoids hurting his clients, and yesterday he injected loads of local anaesthetic all around the doomed molar before cutting it in half and pulling the two stumps with a minimum of pain or fuss. His job was rendered a bit more difficult as I take Kardegic or soluble aspirin to thin the blood, which means I bleed more than normal. Still, he managed well in spite of this, though I did leave the surgery with a cotton pad clenched between my jaws like a dog with a bone....
    I'm glad to say my mouth feels better today, though it will be several days before I can eat crispy food. One (further) down, still loads to go, not bad at seventy plus. I wonder how the original Noah fared, he was said to be over seven hundred years old when the Ark floated off.....

    Bye for now, going to eat something soft...

Sad News-- Death of Toffee, Ark Crew-member

For several days, we have not been happy with Toffee`s health, he seemed lethargic and was not eager for food or walks, not like his usual self. Additionally, his breath was getting very smelly, as it had a few months ago before he had several teeth out and the remainder de-tartared. So we made an appointment with Francois Marty, our vet,  this afternoon to have him checked out. We had resigned ourselves to more teeth to be extracted but in the event it was far worse than that. Francois found a large cancer growing in poor Toff`s mouth, which was causing him a lot of pain. As this had not been present two months ago when his teeth were done, it was obviously a rapidly-growing form, and the vet advised that it was not operable successfully. so we found ourselves faced with the dread decision. We agreed that it was best to end it quickly and painlessly and after an injection Toffee slipped away. Rest in peace, Toffee, it`s been a pleasure knowing you... we console ourselves that he has had a far happier and much longer life than he would have known if we had not rescued him from a concrete kennel in death row at the Melle dechetterie.

  We shall bury him tomorrow afternoon in our orchard, where many of out deceased pets lie. A peaceful spot... we shall remember him.

   Bye for now.