skip to main content

Home Decorating

Wow. Now sleeping with pets will give you plague?!...

13 years ago

KINDA rolled my eyes reading this...

I s'pose there's always a few severe cases, but I don't think it'll change many peoples' practices!

Our Callie still sleeps in her kennel next to the bed, door shut.

What do you guys think?!

Faron

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (26)

camp56
13 years ago
Here is an article from WebMD.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pets in Bed
Faron79
Original Author
13 years ago
Hmmm...interesting stuff!

Kinda chuckled when I saw the word "cooties" in that WebMD article!
Overall though, very good info!

Callie DOES love to lick my face...A LOT! She's a "kisser"!

Faron
Related Discussions
Should I Harvest Now Or Give up & Throw out
Q
Comments (27)
Did a web SEARCH and found the following site as the first hit regarding SERENADE- http://www.serenadegarden.com/howto/FAQ.html Even on eBAY can you find this product. http://cgi.ebay.com/Serenade-Organic-Garden-Disease-Control-Spray-32-oz-RTU_W0QQitemZ320264801834QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL0806191277r7250 Most 'hardware' stores cater to people who use common (and mostly non organic based) chemicals in a garden, and would not sell such ORGANIC BASED products, so you would probably never see this there, unless another cusomer asked for it and they ordered it special. To find such products, you would have to locate sources that sell ALTERNATIVE products for ORGANIC control. The internet is obviously quite powerful in giving many choices of sources. Bt, is a good example as is Neem. Neither might not be found in many hardware stores. Hardware stores (True Value, ACE, etc.) carry canning jars. BIGGER hardware stores ike Home Depot and Lowes, do not. Its a matter of popularity too. Most home gardeners may not even bother with trying to be organic when they grow things. Here, I spend extra time and money on organic alternatives to harsh chemicals. Herbs are no different. I wouldn't want to add a chemical base like Miracle Grow to herbs, or spray them with nasty refined chemicals. One place that I DO know that carries MANY organic products is Peaceful Valley and even though they are far away on the west coast, I still buy quite a lot from them. Needless to say , if I could find ALL the organic products in a LOCAL garden shop, I would become their best customer!
...See More
Methinks I have one with the plague
Q
Comments (10)
Thanks so much to all you wonderful sensitive Hostapeople who love cats for the well wishes! I absolutely KNOW that people who love Hostas are the best people on earth! I've honestly never met a hosta lover who didn't love cats. They think he has a brain tumor - he was spurting blood from his ear and they couldn't stop it for a long time - finally stopped and now he's on meds for possible pain and infection and I am to watch him closely for another episode -- and I'm sure that's when I'll have to do the deed. They said he is not suffering yet. I just can't put him down now because he seems fine since they did whatever they did - he sleeps under my hostas and I just want him to be able to sleep there until he's either bleeding or in pain again. For now - we have a few more days - weeks - a month? He talks to me when I'm planting -- chirps. Buff - I thought I was the only one who cries harder when I lose a pet cat than when I am grieving a person! I wonder what a shrink would say? Westy
...See More
A plague of bugs - I'm overwhelmed and need help
Q
Comments (6)
Mentally, I'm recovered. LOL. This was really devastating to me, because I'd never had such a bad year, but I think I was just overdue. The good news is that I've totally immersed myself in organic ways and have been taking crash courses. I've learned SO MUCH. (Much of it here from everyone...you all are great!) Add me to the 100 percent organic converts now. I never plan to use another synthetic chemical again. This weekend, I'm planning on building my very first compost pile! Yes I am, and I'm so excited about it. I've used compost, but it was always purchased from the store (Lowes and Wal Mart). And I'm thinking about next year. This year is kind of an experience in learning, and I've learned a lot. I had a good crop of tomatoes (Celebrity, Caspian Pink - love those - and Better Boys), but it's about died out now. Usually, I have a regular crop of tomatoes through the first frost (which isn't until Halloween or so). But the tomatoes I got were good, and I didn't have a lot of splitting for the first time ever. I credit that to the HGTV/DIY shows that said add a handful of lime when planting. My eggplants did really well for awhile, and that was fun. I still think I'll get a few more, but everything seems to be winding down. This is very unusual, but I've been hearing it from others around the area. It's just not been a good year for anyone it seems. My gypsy peppers, bless their hearts, are indestructable. They just smiled through the invasion and kept on doing their thing. Lots of wonderful peppers. Those are so fun to grow...and so prolific. My herbs all did really well and are still going. (Except the coriander, but it always dies in the heat) But my fears on the cukes and honeydews came true and they're near death. I got a good crop of cukes before the cucumber beetles invaded. (And I ended up with both striped AND spotted beetles, with a few squash bugs for extra fun) I'm sure it's wilt from the beetles. My melons were all deformed and I think had scab on them. Poor things. LOL. But I'm just letting them keep growing, just in case. I finally cut the oldest melon open, and inside was a small, deformed melon. It wasn't sweet enough yet, but it was a nice color and tasted fresh and springy anyway. I got about three nice bites. haha. I've not grown a successful melon yet, but I'll keep trying every year. Now I'm about ready to head to my local extension office, get my soil tested and see if they can help me decide what to do with my garden over winter. I'm trying to decide between black plastic (which will supposedly kill pathogens by cooking them, but I'm not sure about bug eggs), and a cover crop such as hairy vetch. I'm leaning towards hairy vetch if I do a cover crop. But I'll ask the ext. agent for his/her thoughts on our area. I don't know if the lacewings ever did their work or not. I had fun sprinkling the little hatchlings, like fairy dust. My neighbors might have had a few laughs watching me, because I did prance and sprinkle. (I thought lacewings were the size of moths in adulthood, but now I read they're tiny little things) Next year, I'm probably going to introduce beneficials early, some nematodes and ladybugs. I had a lot of different bugs this year, but my big problems were the leafhoppers (they're still hopping and sucking) and the cucumber beetles. The other good news, and the reason I went organic this year...the birdies! I haven't had tons of butterflies yet, but man do I have many hummingbirds. I finally bought a little feeder that hangs outside my front window, and they come one after another. I've got at least 6-8 that I've seen in a bunch (a gaggle?). And one in particular likes to dance with me, and with my cats, through the window. It's just amazing. I also have a family of cardinals that I've been feeding safflower seeds, and it's been so fun watching their behavior (dad feeding the wife and kids...looks like they're kissing). And one son is starting to turn red...I call him my birdie boy. The others fly away when I approach, but he stays and lets me talk to him, and cocks his head like a pet bird. My family thinks I've lost my mind. LOL. But they're indulging my bird chatter and my new obsession with a compost pile. So that was the longggggggg answer (sorry). Short answer: garden mostly went to hell, but I've enjoyed the birds and intend to keep learning about organic ways. Thanks, Kitty, for asking. ***
...See More
Plagued with Indecision - help!
Q
Comments (21)
Dear Busymom03, You’re very focused on Aesthetics and that’s important. But Great Kitchen Design includes both the aesthetic component, and the functional component. Your kitchen’s purpose is to provide food and beverage service for your home. Whether you cook or not doesn’t mean your kitchen shouldn’t. Your kitchen layout should produce a kitchen that is beautiful, beautifully efficient, and for the long haul. Unless you’re planning on re doing this kitchen in 8 to 12 years when your appliances start to fail? Aesthetically the large massing (pantry, Ovens, Ref/F) has become very popular among designers and the Kitchen Remodeling Industry is all about what’s trendy. Granted “It Looks Cool” but it’s performance aesthetically and functional are not the best option for you. When this Look Fades your kitchen’s aesthetic value will plummet to zero, because your kitchen will become dated (so 2010-2020) just like the 60’s, 70’s, 80s’, 90’s, etc. did and this trend will continue (unfortunitly for consumers). Be careful, use clasical elemets that are not treny and won't fall out of fashion, or you’ll end up where you started, with a kitchen that’s dated and dysfunctional and you'll want to replace. Functionally, I don’t know if you realize this but you have many functional problems built into this kitchen layout. Both your ovens and your refrigerator are in gathering space. That’s two of your four major appliances. The Ref/F you will be in and out of constantly. If there is seating on the island and it’s occupied getting into and out of your Ref/F may be more work than you’d like it to be. When you entertain your family and guests will be standing in front of your ovens and ref/f and you won’t easily be able to get into them. Which will make entertaining your own personal kitchen nightmare. There is no counter top to the left or right of the ovens with island seats occupied you won’t be able to turn and use the island top, and the cabinet adjacent to the range is about 21” wide when you’ll need 27” to 30” to stage what’s going into and coming out of your ovens. Also that counter may be occupied when using your range top. There is no counter to the left of your Ref door, and to use the counter to the right you’ll have to contend with Island seating while you have to back up after you take the items you need (just what you can carry) back up and kick the Ref door shut to get to that counter. Doing something simple like making a sandwich without counter top will be a lot more work and take more time. To use the island or counter to the right of the range top you’ll have the same problems as you have with your oven(s). I don’t think your intention is to live like this making your day to day life much more difficult than it has to be. Your range top (range) area seems to be fine. I don’t think you have large enough wall cabinets to hold all your dishes and glasses on your clean up wall. Unless you have dishes stored in drawers somewhere hopefully close to your sink. Overall design…not a fan of wall papering a kitchen with cabinetry (even though it’s in my best interest if I’m selling cabinetry). When the Wow New wears off it’s boring to look and see cabinetry everywhere. Closet pantries break up the monotony of cabinetry everywhere, give you an opportunity to bring in color, are less expensive to build. And you can store items floor to ceiling making them much more flexible than pantries built in cabinetry. How Does You Kitchen Work? “A Place For Everything & Everything In Its Place” Everyone should do this exercise to make certain their kitchen works. Make a Kitchen Item Inventory Checklist (or download ours) fill it in. Now with your interior elevations and layout handy, locate everything you own. By writing them on your plan and interior elevations, Following These Rules… There are 5 Basic Tasks every residential kitchen performs. Storage, Preparation, Cooking/Baking, Providing Service, & Clean Up. The Appliance Dictates the Task and its Location, The Task Dictates the Kitchen Items Required to perform the Task, The Kitchen Items Dictate the Cabinetry Configuration and Accessories best suited to Store & Retrieve those Items Efficiently. You’ll want to store the kitchen items you’ll use most as close to the appliance you’ use them at as possible. To increase efficiency, and if you do a good job your kitchen will work intuitively. As A Bonus: No More Slave To Your Kitchen because you’re the only one that knows where everything is, because you adapted to the kitchen you inherited when you moved in. Do this excercise and you will not have to adapt to another kitchen, or realize your mistakes after your kitchen is done. SIMPLE. Here is a form for you to use (it’s what we use) to tell how well your kitchen performs and if you have all of your bases covered. http://www.luxurykitcheninteriordesign.com/kitchen-design-monthly-17/ Also, another tool our Kitchen Design Functionality Test will help you with determining how efficiently your arrangement of appliances, cabinetry, and kitchen items works. And if not working well, in taking the test, you’ll discover how to improve its performance. http://www.luxurykitcheninteriordesign.com/kitchen-design-functionality-test-5/ Demand Better Performance Joe Brandao Kitchen Performance Consultant
...See More
tinam61
13 years ago
Our little pup (right around 10 lbs.) sleeps on the end of our bed. She is usually right beside my feet head pointed toward the door (she is soooo protective). I've never thought a thing about her sleeping with us. She's groomed monthly, bathed at least once every two weeks, is on a flea/tick program, up-to-date on shots, etc. so I think she's pretty healthy. The bed is changed at least weekly (sometimes more in hot weather).

We're pretty healthy people and like Faron said, the article isn't going to change our practices.

tina
busybee3
13 years ago
don't see pets sleeping with you as being a problem unless they have fleas... but, pets with fleas are no good period, because they're bringing fleas into the house!!! yuck! but, if you have an affectionate pet who loves to be petted or sit on your lap or the couch, i don't know what the difference would be, whether you're awake or asleep!

now, allowing a pet to lick an open wound---another YUCK! i don't like being licked on the face either...guess i've seen my dogs licking their butts too often!!
yogacat
13 years ago
I've slept with cats for over 35 years. I've no plans to change that. The current group doesn't go outside or come in contact with other animals.
Meghane
13 years ago
Now I have a new weapon in the "Yes, Mrs. X, your cat has fleas and that is a problem" discussion. I usually had them at tapeworms which are non-pathogenic for pets and people but are very high on the EW scale, but this just ups the ante. Gotta love it.

My pets are all on effective monthly flea and tick control, and are dewormed with their heartworm prevention monthly. I'm not worried about that. One of my dogs had a MRSA UTI but since I don't drink dog pee I didn't worry about that either. If I had a veggie garden at the time, I would have prevented him from peeing in it, as per usual standards.
neetsiepie
13 years ago
Meh. I live in the house of fur. My cat loves to sleep on my head. The dogs join me in morning snugs (they're not allowed to sleep with us, tho). My granddogs kiss my face, and I frequently kiss my cats...even tho they absolutely hate it.

I wash my hands after touching my pets, and I always wash my face after being doggie kissed. I figure the ick factor is probably worse at restaurants and from handling money and doorknobs than it is from my pets.

We, too, keep our critters on regular flea treatment regiments and the cats get wormed regularly (one of them constantly seems to have tapeworms). All of 'em get their shots and are in good health.
PRO
Lori A. Sawaya
13 years ago
My dog sleeps with me. He's not an outside kinda guy. Rat terrier, not furry, not smelly, no drooling. He was made for snuggling and no one will convince me otherwise.

First the baby carrots (remember that old thread) and now this. !!!

Guess I'm living dangerously - on the edge I tell ya. If eating baby carrots and letting my dog snuggle at the foot of the bed finally 'gets' me one of these days. . . well, I just want to say that it's been nice knowing all of you.

xoxo,
Lori
tinam61
13 years ago
Funcolors - you crack me up!!!

"He was made for snuggling and no one will convince me otherwise." Love this!!

tina
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
13 years ago
You all don't have my dog!
He is on frontline plus and never has fleas but he does like to lay outside in the sun everyday...in a pile of leaves or in the mulched beds.
He also wants to lay on me every single night for hours.
So, I try and watch tv with Dad- he likes the company- and Chipper the beagle will sit on my lap and snuggle and snore.
Every evening he starts following me around waiting for me to sit down.

Anyway!, Last night he had an upset stomach and it was making all kinds of gurgling noises and he was distressed. I knew something was wrong the moment Dad and I got home from his Doctors appointment.

So he sat in my lap for a couple hours after I made dinner...and sat on my shoulders, on my head, all over my lap, and this continued to bedtime when he wanted to get in bed with me. I made him get in his bed...he would have none of it! He wanted in the big bed in his distress.

So I got all the covers out to cover my nice bedding, etc, made his bed on the other side, and he wanted to basically sit on my head again. Or mash up against my face and neck. Or my pillow. or right on top of me.

Eventually I got up to give him some pepcid and which I should have done earlier and he was fine and went to sleep back on the floor bed.

I will now wash all the bedding ....why?

Because every time he sits on me I feel itchy and sometimes have bites on my chest, neck and back. Something gets under my bra and bites me all along the band.
So when we do this lay on my lap for the whole movie, I shower before going to bed.
Things can live on a dog for 24 hours before the frontline kills them but they can transfer to me.
tinam61
13 years ago
Oh Bumble! I must have the giggles this morning or something cuz ya'll are cracking me up. You had me at "Chipper the Beagle". Heeeeee!

"Things can live on a dog for 24 hours before the frontline kills them but they can transfer to me." I didn't know this. I thought the medication repells the insects? I never see anything on Abby. She has a flea sensitivity and I swear, ONE flea will drive her crazy. I did, however, once get a tick from her. It was immediately afterwards that we changed to Advantix.

Okay, okay gotta get moving here and get over these giggles . . .

tina
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
13 years ago
It's not just fleas ,tina. It can be mites, lice, microscopic bugs that you can't see...I have never seen anything but I know something is biting me.

Take ticks for example, which are visible. Sometimes in the summer I find them in the dogs bed. They aren't attaching themselves but they can live long enough for the dogs to carry them into the house...and attach to me.
I need people Frontline!
natal
13 years ago
Funcolors, those fake baby carrots aren't going to hurt you ... they just don't have any flavor and don't taste like a real carrot.
PRO
Lori A. Sawaya
13 years ago
Oh, natal, natal, natal!!! Ranch dressing. It's really all about Ranch dressing. The delivery method is kind of not relevant thus baby carrots.
allison0704
13 years ago
I don't remember the baby carrots thread - someone fill me in.

My 8lb Yorkie Shih tzu sleeps under the covers, curled up next to my stomach. I love it. One cat is usually on foot of bed. Large dog used to sleep with you - on top of covers, but I got him a huge, comfy bed with tiny puppy came along. I've been sleeping with our pets (mostly cats) for the past 29 years. Won't be changing my ways!
natal
13 years ago
I'll pass on the Ranch. I love carrots, but rarely eat them with a dip. I julienne them for salads and use them regularly in a Mirepoix. Making a ginger carrot soup tomorrow.

Allison, it was one of those threads where the discussion goes off topic. Maybe it was about Christmas trees?
PRO
Lori A. Sawaya
13 years ago
lol! I think it WAS suppose to be about Christmas trees. I don't remember all the details exactly to share with Allison but what I do remember is that it was darn entertaining. (as is often the case here on "Conversations")
PRO
Diane Smith at Walter E. Smithe Furniture
13 years ago
We have our kitties trained (pretty much) to go downstairs at night or they keep everyone awake pawing at doors to come in the bedrooms.
But for me, naps are not complete without a cat curled up at my feet!
I think grocery cart handles have more cooties than most pets.

Here is a link that might be useful: Here you go allison!
IdaClaire
13 years ago
Most nights I have 3 tabbies curled up right next to me, and they each have their own little designated spot. Sometimes it's a bit much when noctural butt-licking ensues (theirs, not mine), but for the most part I'll brave the cooties just to be able to feel their warm plumpness cuddled up against me.
natal
13 years ago
Artie's newest thing is snuggling under the covers with his head poking out. Even with my allergies I can't imagine it any other way.
PRO
Lori A. Sawaya
13 years ago
Sometimes it's a bit much when nocturnal butt-licking ensues (theirs, not mine)

...aaaand there ya go. Exactly what I'm talking about. To top it off, this quality entertainment is free to anyone who wants to join in. (the forum, not the butt-licking).
allison0704
13 years ago
Thanks!
trancegemini_wa
13 years ago
If my dogs or cat had fleas I don't think I'd even want them in the bed with me anyway since fleas really creep me out. I also dont like my dogs licking my face and when they do it I turn my head downwards so they end up licking the top of my nose or forehead and then I wash my face afterwards, I couldnt stand being licked around the mouth since I have a fair idea where those furry little mouths have been! I adore my dogs but I have no intention of sharing fleas or saliva with them LOL so I think Im pretty safe.

I remember watching an episode of the osbournes where ozzie would let the dogs lick him all over his mouth, it was so ickky to watch. If he was my husband I wouldnt get anywhere near that mouth LOL
OllieJane
13 years ago
trancegemini, I just saw a recorded "Funniest Home Video's" where this dog was kissing/licking this women IN the mouth and thought I was going to hurl! They should have put a warning before showing that scene-my DH and I (DS likes gross things) had to cover our eyes. YUK!! It wasn't long before I read about the "sleeping with your pets" article, which I don't think is that bad. But, kissing in your mouth?
leahcate
13 years ago
"theirs not mine" Oh AJ, I can't stop giggling!
I had a friend whose new little wiener pup slept in their bed. One night, shortly after his arrival.....well, actually in the morning, her DH discovered his boxers had been eaten off his bod while he slept!!
trancegemini_wa
13 years ago
"I just saw a recorded "Funniest Home Video's" where this dog was kissing/licking this women IN the mouth and thought I was going to hurl!"

LOL, OMG olliesmom that is just gross!! eww, imagine the germs, gee I hope she worms her dog, EWW, yuk, no, that's just wrong on so many levels! LOL

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN A Stylist’s Secrets for Giving Your Kitchen the Wow Factor

By Coral Interiors

There’s more to getting a fabulous kitchen than designing and installing it. It's the little details that elevate its look

PETS 16 Stylish Built-In Sleeping Areas for Dogs

Give pets their own safe haven with these built-in dog beds for the kitchen, living areas and laundry room

COLOR How to Give Neutral Paint Colors a Subtle Jolt

By Jennifer Ott Design

Don’t compete with your neutral hues — complement them!

HEALTHY HOME Give Your Baby the Healthiest, Safest Nursery Possible

By Robyn Lawrence

Protect your newborn by choosing nontoxic nursery furniture, bedding, rugs and paint. We give you all the details here

CHRISTMAS Gift Giving the Simple-ish Way

By Alison Hodgson

If buying holiday gifts drives you to the spiked holiday punch, try these easier but still rewarding traditions

Houzz Call: What Gives You the Creeps at Home?

By Stacy Briscoe

Halloween horror got nothing on your basement, attic or closet? Show us that scary spot you steer clear of

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Hate Hauling Laundry? Give Dirty Clothes the Chute

By Nicole White Designs Interiors LLC

New project for a new year: Install a quick route to the laundry room

INSPIRING GARDENS Lawn Gives Way to a More Natural Lakeside Garden

By Bonnie Monte

Meadow grasses, beach pebbles and driftwood replace turfgrass in a nature-friendly landscape on Lake Washington’s shore

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Give Your Driveway and Front Walk More Curb Appeal

By Laura Gaskill

Prevent injuries and tire damage while making a great first impression by replacing or repairing front paths

REMODELING GUIDES Give Me a Wall, a Roof, or a House of Glass

By Erin Lang Norris

Swoon over spaces warmed by sunlight — from one side, or many

Sponsored

More Discussions

Help with Studio Apt

40

Backsplash - changing grout color

17

Entryway pedestal table?

7

Need help with sitting room/lounge room furniture

6

Undercabinet Lighting in Kitchen

2