The Home with Pets

Do you any have pets in your home?  If you do, perhaps you have what we have in our home…shredded upholstery, puke spots and things that have been urinated on….and don’t get me started on the dog and cat hair!!!  This weekend both our dogs got sick. Bubba threw up everywhere after eating something disgusting in the yard, and Lucky came down with lyme disease. Luckily both are feeling fine today.

This weekend we were also working on Luke’s bedroom makeover, so we removed everything from the walls and laid it on the floor. One of the things was a painting of a green dog that an artist had made for Luke. I don’t think it was on the floor for more than half an hour, when it suddenly looked like it had been tinkled on….hmm…

...GUILTY!!

He just needs to mark certain things when they get to a new place. GRRR.

But to me a home with a pet, is a home with a heart. As long as I can remember I’ve always shared one with the four legged kind.  And I wouldn’t have it any other way. So for all you pet owners out there I thought I would share some of the issues we’re having in our home, and perhaps some helpful solutions. And if you have any great advice — PLEASE leave a comment below!!!

SHREDDED FURNITURE

Our cat Bellybutton has some favorite chairs he just can’t stop sharpening his nails on.  I’ve put endless scratch boards all around the house to no avail. I’ve tried putting on saran wrap, but with no luck.  The best idea I think is to….

Image via la maison Fortune

…SLIP COVER A CHAIR.

I found this image on a blog just to prove that slip covers don’t have to be off white and look like Shabby Chic. They can be done in your favorite fabric and look pretty close to an upholstered chair. If it gets ruined, you can just add new fabric.

THE PET BED

Although Luke loves to make this fancy pillow tower for Bubba in the kitchen window seat, the dog bed situation in our house is pretty dismal. They are sleeping on worn blankets or ugly fleece or plaid covered beds, that look terrible in whatever room they’re in. Since I’m redesigning a few rooms in the house, the dog beds will get an update. I was so happy to come across an article on Made by Girl about Fleadog beds. I’m definitely ordering some of these cute beds to go with the new room designs.

Can’t wait to own one of these geometric patterned stylish beds. There won’t be a reason to hide the beds when there are guests anymore.

This is another cute pattern.

Or perhaps a little Greek key and pink. This way the dog bed will be an addition to your interiors, not an eyesore.

ENDLESS PET HAIR

No matter how much we clean and vacuum in our house, when you sit down you’re sure to be covered in dog and cat hair. I’m afraid to admit there’s not a day Luke has gone to school with a completely hair free school fleece sweater. Of course dark colors are impossible to wear since the four legged crew at our house is beige.  One of my best friends works with the Humane Society in NY, and tells me the best way to control pet hair is weekly baths for the animals, and daily brushing. And of course…

…tons of the best tape pet rollers!  I would look like the crazy cat lady if I didn’t use these daily!!  If you have any great suggestions on how to avoid pet hair – PLEASE SHARE!

ACCIDENTS ON RUGS

I think the Humane Society has the best advice on how to clean pet stains. You can read their advice here.

At our house the combination of a Wet Vac and a pet odor neutralizer has been our saving grace. It’s really worth the investment!

IS IT ALL WORTH IS TO HAVE THE WEAR AND TEAR ON YOUR HOME?

Image by Jenny (my fantastic LiveLikeYou assistant) . Her sweet dog Lola.

I think for all the love, loyalty, laughter….

…affection and friendship you receive… it’s a really small price to pay!!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

P.S. Stay tuned for “the perfect Christmas gift to yourself GIVEAWAY” this Wednesday!!

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27 thoughts on “The Home with Pets

  1. I thought I would add in my two cents: Avoid any salty food for the dogs. They can't handle it and will shed their hair.
    I think the geometric dog beds are fantastic! But mine refuses to sleep on anything that resembles a pillow, she prefers to 'play' with it, and by playing, I mean ripping it off to bits and pieces lol.

  2. Ha Ha, this all hits home. I woke up at 4 Am to do a little work and found my dog on the sofa… so much for dog beds. But I love the fleadogs bed, I may give that one a try to save my sofa. As for weeing (and other naughty things) on the floor, I have been amazed at how well our new Living Room rug cleans up. It is made entirely out of cowhides (it's a huge dark brown rug patch worked together). Everything comes right off it. It's the same I guess as a real animal hide, nothing really sticks to it, it all just wipes off. Since dogs (and cats) won't ever really be perfect, may as well get a perfect clean-upable rug.

    1. Maybe that's the answer an animal hide rug…I think Bubba has done something to my zebra cow hide but you're right it comes right off.

  3. Whatever our pets may do to disrupt our "perfectly well ordered lives" is a moot point when we take a moment to look into those eyes….. I surrender! We'll keep on changing those slipcovers and cleaning up.

  4. what an adorable post! Yes, i can't live with out my cat Lola and I've spent a fortune on fancy pet beds, toys and organic foods – of course she prefers to snuggle with me in my bed, home made toys (golf tee, champagne cork, ribbons) and her junk food.

  5. Jill,
    Not a fun time cleaning up I'm sure! I love dogs…especially mine, but since my husband has allergies, our dog has never been allowed anywhere except the main floor which is harwood. She a golden and sheds like crazy and I have to vacuum every 2 days! We too are bff's with the tape roller!!!

    Tell you babies to shape up or no bones from Santa Paws!

  6. I've been lucky…my 3 year old golden retriever hasn't really ruined anything. He once shredded a paper towel, very delicately, and left the strips all together on the floor, in plain sight. The precision was kind of cute. 🙂

  7. Åh de små liven är verkligen värda allt de ställer till med!;-) Har själv en devon rex katt som inte fäller hår tack och lov, och klorna klipper vi när de blir för långa för att slippa bli spetsade i tid och otid haha… vi har ett par naturmattor i hemmet (sisal, jute etc) och de älskar hon att vässa klorna på och väljer bort möbler till förmån för dessa, superbra! Så det är ett tips, mattor i naturmaterial:-) De blir ju inte förstörda heller utan tål lite klovässande. Däremot så är devons riktiga busungar och klätterapor så en och en annan sak har drämt i golvet, glas har krossats, saker har bitits sönder osv. Men som sagt, värt det alla gånger om! Husdjur bidrar med själ till ett hem tycker jag och det går före materiella ting alla gånger:-)

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