Clean Up After Coco

It kind of goes without saying, but I’m going to.

If you have a companion animal of the canine type, make sure you take the time to carry something to pick up his or her little messes on your walks around the neighborhood.

Your neighbors will appreciate it!

Just cuz…

It Ain’t Just For Salads

Vinegar

The stuff is magic!

Did you know that there is actually a Vinegar Institute?  That’s where I started learning all the things that I could do with this magical elixir.  Some of the things I learned to do:

• Clean a coffee maker
• Wash a no-wax floor
• Paintbrush softener
• Flea & Tick repellant

I’m tellin’ ya, the stuff is magical!

So check out The Vinegar Institute, and learn some ways you can cut down on some of the harsh chemicals we introduce into our lives almost every day.

 

Just cuz.

Don’t Pet Unless You Ask

I love animals. I think most people do.

Every now and then, I’ll see a visually impaired person with a guide dog, which is now commonly referred to as a Service Animal. Whenever I come in contact with a Service Animal, my first reaction is to smile, talk to the animal, and start petting. But one day, I was nicely informed by the visually impaired person that this wasn’t something that we should do.

Even though these animals resemble the animals we throw balls to or take for walks, Service Animals are not technically considered “pets.” According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a service animal is any animal that has been individually trained to provide assistance or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a physical or mental disability which substantially limits one or more major life functions. In addition, some states have legislation that further defines a service animal.

Who knew!

So I thought I would share some of the etiquette I have learned about Service Animals, should you come in contact with one:

• Do not touch the Service Animal, or the person it assists, without permission.
• Do not make noises at the Service Animal; it may distract the animal from doing its job.
• Do not feed the Service Animal; it may disrupt his/her schedule.
• Do not be offended if the person does not feel like discussing his/her disability or the assistance the Service Animal provides. Not everyone wants to be a walking-talking “show and tell” exhibit.

It’s hard to resist the temptation, but the nicest and most respectful thing to do is abide by the list.

In most cases, I have found, after the initial permission is requested, the person who is being helped by the animal is more than willing to let you pet the animal.

So let’s do the nice and respectful thing, just cuz…

(Oh, this also pertains to police dogs or K9 units!)

Orange You Tired Of Fleas?

I don’t like bugs. I don’t. There’s no way around it. Creepy crawly things make me uncomfortable. Years ago, a friend of mine told me horror stories about her dog and his fleas. UGH! I’m a cat person, so this doesn’t work for me (citrus can be toxic to felines), but if you’re a dog person, and your bow-wow is prone to fleas, give this a try, and tell me if it works!

Dog Flea Repellent
Make some “Citrus Tea.” Take any citrus fruit peels (any – lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruits) and boil them in water until you have a good concentrated citrus tea. Make sure you cool it before using it! Each time you wash your dog, apply some of the concentrate in the final rinse. According to what I read, the citric tea will terminate any existing flees and will also act as a repellent against those that may still be hanging around in the back yard.

I’m hoping this works, so let me know if it does. I love to learn about alternatives to chemicals. A lot of the time, they’re more effective and cost less, too! So use citrus tea instead of those stinky chemicals, just cuz it’s better for our health.