These tips for pet owners are in celebration of the arrival of my new dog Frieda, rescued from the Washington Humane Society. I thinks she might just be the most perfect dog in the world!
Now on to the selection. Maybe it’s just that new pet owner thing, but am I the only one out there who finds the vacuum-your-dog suggestion a bit odd?
1967: Care of Pets
From time to time your cherubs are going to surprise you with anything they can drag home as a pet ~ and I mean anything from snails to Great Danes! Here are a few suggestions to help that “stray” (if the rightful owner can’t be found), and of course the pet you planned on, become a happy, healthy, much-loved member of your household.
Have you ever thought of putting reflector tape on your dog or cat collar, to cut down the danger of his being struck by a car at night?
If you own a shaggy dog ~ or any sort of dog that sheds ~ it’s a good idea to hand-vacuum him frequently. Then you don’t have to vacuum the floors and furniture quite so often. Dogs usually like it, and so do your dark-suited guests.
Do you have a dog that must be kept in the house during the day, even when you aren’t there? To keep the house neat and clean in spite of it do this: In the center of the room, put a child’s play pen lined with oilcloth and a thickness of newspaper. Each morning before you leave put in a weighted pan of water, pan of dog food and the dog. In the evening, when you come home, your house will be spotless and both you and your dog can enjoy a leisurely stroll together. (This is recommended for puppies or small breeds.)
Do the metal tags jingling on the collars of your dog or cat drive you to distraction when the animals are in the house? Cover them with clear plastic adhesive tape.
Old-fashioned dog lovers claim that pine needles in the doghouse will keep your animal free of fleas, and that pine needles in the dog bed works the same little wonder. It’s worth a try, if your animal is so afflicted.
You can easily remove animal hairs from dark suits, coats, and dresses by wrapping a length of masking tape around your hand and brushing over the entire garment. The animal hair and lint will stick to the tape. This method is also good for cleaning the upholstery in your car after the pet has had a ride.
If your dog does not eat a full can of dog food at one meal, try this: Remove the ends of the can ~ both ends ~ and push the food from one end of the can into the dog bowl. Cut off as much as he will eat, then replace the end of the can. This will promote savings as far as your dog food is concerned, as well as savings on the mess.
Tired of retrieving your dog’s favorite ball or toy from under the furniture? Take an old nylon stocking, drop the ball into it, and tie. The ball will still bounce and roll, but it will give both you and the dog something with which to swing and retrieve it.
Put a little blueing in the white poodle’s shampoo water and note the difference in his coat.
Have you ever been out walking the dog, passed by a grocery store, and wanted to stop in to shop for a few items, but noticed a sign in the window stating: “No Pets Allowed”? Cut the leather hand strap off his leash and replace it with an inexpensive puppy color with a buckle then you can buckle the leash around anything handy until you return.
When traveling with your pet, fill a bottle of water for him each morning, and take along his water dish. Then you can stop anywhere, anytime he needs a drink, without hunting for a place to get water for him.
Source: Laird, Jean E. Around the House Like Magic. New York, Evanston, and London: Harper and Row,1967.
~ pp. 162-66 ~