Sensitive readers, if you don’t currently have to deal with messes of a bodily nature, just make a mental note or better yet, bookmark the page and mosey along. Dear Home Ec 101, I have four dogs, they are housebroken, but every once in a while they have an accident. What is the best way … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, I recently officially moved out of my parents house. I was living in a condo while at school, but got a house with my fiance, and have been moving a lot of my old stuff from their house into our new home. While I was away at college though, my sister’s cats … Read more
Ivy says: Good morning, Home Eccers. I sincerely appreciate all the good wishes you all sent last week about my grandmother. She is, at this moment I’m writing, still alive, but weakening. If you’re at all interested, I did write a long post about the situation yesterday over at my parenting blog. Here’s a link. … Read more
Dear Home Ec 101, My cats seem to drop enough fur to make a few new cats on my furniture every day. It’s ridiculous. How can I both prevent this and keep my furniture fur-free? Thanks, Fuzz Butt Ivy says: There are several things you can do to help keep the pet hair at bay. … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, My boyfriend has recently gotten bug bites, mostly on his right arm but other places as well (legs, etc.). They are small, red, and itchy. Smaller than mosquito bites. I haven’t gotten any. He thinks they happen more on a particular couch, but it’s hard to pinpoint (the bed and a computer … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, We have two dogs and two cats, all dark-haired. Our house is COVERED in pet hair-hardwood floors, carpeted floors, tiled floors and counters. Even the back of our television collects HUGE fur-balls. Help! How do I keep this under control without having to spend 2 hours a day sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, and washing? Our animals are taking … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, Our cat marks all areas of our house by peeing especially when another animal comes to visit or where she last marked. We are at our wit’s end…. is there any solution to this problem? Signed, Kitty Mama in Kalamazoo Ivy says: I know way more about cat behavior than any normal … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, My daughter has a grass stain on her pretty little, made with love by Grandma, Easter dress. How can I get it out before we see Grandma again? My 13 year old dog has recently urinated on our carpet, for reasons unknown to us. How can I get that horrible odor out … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, Why is cleaning out cat boxes such an ordeal? How can I make my cat’s litter box smell better if I’m a little bit remiss about getting them scooped every day? What about the LitterMaid? Does that actually work? Signed, Scoopless in Saratoga Ivy says: Man, do I ever feel your pain. … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, How do you get chewed up plastic off the carpet? My puppy and my big dog chew everything! When I had hardwood it was easy. . . carpet, not so much. Also, I have trained the puppy for the most part to pee outside, except for one area of the house. She … Read more