sleepypasture's Profile

@bebeh No problem! I hope my struggle last year can help you and others. I bought a 50lb bag of diatomaceous earth from my local natural gardening center. You can spread it around evenly by taking a large jar w/ lid and poking medium-sized holes in the lid. Fill the jar 1/2 full with DE and put the lid on, and then shake it on carpets, couches, etc. Leave on for 2-3 days and then vacuum up. Wear a mask though, because it's dusty and drying and not great for the lungs. Good luck!

I've been using rubber gloves to pick up cat and dog hair for years and it works like a charm! Although I've never had to dampen them...that seems unnecessary.

I have two greyhounds, and I really don't want to go 40mph down the sidewalk on a scooter/trike/skateboard!

I have 2 greyhounds and 2 cats. The greys are not allowed on the bed (it's only a full) or on the couch (there would be no room for me). I used to have to pile boxes and stuff on the bed to keep them off while I was gone but they quickly learned that they could knock them off the bed, and when I got home I could see where they had been curled up on it. So, I picked up a "Tattle Tale" from PetSmart. It's a vibration-sensitive "audible repellant" which really just means that it beeps loudly when they get on the bed (or sofa). My greys hate any sort of beeping (the microwave, coffee maker, etc) so I thought it would work well, and I was right. They don't even TRY to get on the bed anymore. It's a platform bed so it's right at their level, so that is saying a LOT.<BR><BR>The cats, well, they are allowed on pretty much anything except any kitchen or eating surfaces.<BR><BR>http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2755431

GREYHOUNDS, for all of the reasons previously mentioned! <BR><BR>But be prepared to answer the constant silly questions, such as:
-"Why is your dog so skinny; don't you feed it?"
(Yes, my dog is well-fed, and would actually be very unhealthy if over-fed)
-"Do you race your dog?"
(Um...no, it's called retirement.)
-"Is that a Whippet?"
(Nope, Whippets aren't 75 lbs.)

Mrs. Mack - I agree with Susan-Marie, greyhounds make fantastic apartment pets. I was living in a 600sf loft with one 12-yr-old cat when I adopted my first greyhound, Maggie, from Animal Control. And she is the first dog I have ever had. I took her out to the loft's small dog run 3-4 times a day, and that was plenty of exercise. The other tenants loved her, and she VERY rarely barks (I have had her a year now and have MAYBE heard her bark 10 times). In general, greyhounds do not have oily skin so they rarely need baths, they curl up in their bed like a cat, and they are extremely calm. (Keep in mind that they should NEVER be left outside as a yard dog.) They live up to their nickname "the 45MPH couch potatoes!" There are tons of great greyhound resources online by searching "retired greyhounds." I fell so hard for the breed that when I recently bought my first house, I adopted a second greyhound, Clive!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/hollispics/Clive/cliveandmaggie.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/hollispics/Maggie/IMG_3858.jpg

Jessimuhka and Zhenpoo- I have used Soft Claw nail covers on both my cat (when she was a kitten and I was training her about scratching) and on my 75 lb greyhound Clive (to protect my hardwoods). They are GREAT. Depending on how active your pet is, I have seen them last between 2 weeks and 6 weeks. A friend of mine was so impressed that she chose to use them on her cat instead of de-clawing.

And as far as fleas go, there are a lot of safe treatments. Borax, Boric Acid, and Diatomaceous Earth all work. Here's a good link:
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/010305a.cfm
Although I prefer buying the Diatomaceous Earth that is specifically made for pest control, and not the kind made for pools.
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=2262