I've been told that cats hate the smell of citrus. So orange peels scattered around the garden seems to work. Beyond that, two years ago, I planted hot peppers at various places in the garden (a row of chilli peppers on the outside and a few rows of hot banana peppers in the middle). The cats wouldn't even come near them. While I suppose it would be possible for it to be harmful to the cat, I think most people are missing the point. It's the smell that the cats hate. So, unless you're sprinkling it through their main walkway, I sincerely doubt that it would be a problem. Cats have a pretty keen sense of smell. Chances are they'll get a good wiff of it long before they walk in it if you were particular about where you put it.

I have a story, but it isn't funny. We have a little yorkie-poo. She was less than a year old when she got sick. She had a few stomach issues and they did a poop culture (sorry!), and found some type bacteria. Treated that but within a couple of weeks, she started vomiting one evening. She had never done this and after a couple of times I called our vet. Because of her small size (she's only 9 lbs. now fully grown) they had us bring her in so she wouldn't get dehydrated. They examined her, pumped her full of fluids and suggested we watch her closely overnight. The fluids and some meds helped with the vomiting but by early morning she was vomiting again. We got up, dressed and ready to get her to the vet their opening time. They did an x-ray and showed us that something was showing in her digestive track. Something she had ingested. I remembered that she had torn one of her little toys and although I never saw any stuffing out of the toy, I knew there was stuffing and we just assumed she had eaten that. They had to do emergency exploratory surgery. I bawled my eyes out. The next day when we were allowed to *visit*, the vet showed me the PLASTIC MEAT WRAPPER that she had eaten. It was to a pretty critical point, it had started through her intestines. The vet was wonderful, even took our little baby home with her overnight to keep a close eye on her and the pup came through the surgery with flying colors. And a nice little *zipper* down her belly. Hubby and I both felt awful. We didn't know she had gotten the wrapper. We figured that she had quickly grabbed it out of the garbage (which was behind a closed door, but if she saw us put something in there she'd jump up to investigate) and gotten away with it without us seeing. The stick on label on the plastic wrapping was what we were seeing on the x-ray. Alot of tears and $$$ over a meat wrapper! She's not interested in the garbage anymore (she was just a puppy then) thankfully, but we are even more cautious when throwing something away! I never throw away a meat wrapper now without putting it in another bag and tying it up first. Our pup too watches tv. It's hilarious. There was an M&M commercial that she didn't like. Now she doesn't like the Weight Watchers commercial where they have the little orange monster (hungry). She knows by the very first sound of that commercial that it's THE ONE and immediately starts barking. She barks at most dogs she sees on tv, other than cesear. Maybe because he's little like her. tina

We're sleep deprived. Thursday and Friday nights our Westie was up and down ten times from his bed at the foot of our bed (and ON our bed). He was trying to escape *some* kind of pain. He refused to eat Wednesday night. He's often gone without eating for three days, then is right as rain, but we planned to take him to the vet this morning -- he's never seemed in pain before! The vet opens at 8:30. About 4 a.m. Eliot stopped pacing and shaking and went quietly to sleep -- us too. I got up quietly this morning and made rice and chicken. Sure enough, Eliot came out and went right to his dish. I gave him a half cup of rice/chicken, then another half cup 30 minutes later. DH walked him and brought home the small stool he passed. We took Eliot and the stool to the vet. He'd passed a twist-tie! WHERE did he pick THAT up? We'll watch carefully for blood. The vet said we would have just watched and waited regardless -- no surgery. She said veterinary magazines run contests to show what dogs have swallowed, and that this is minor. I'm sure it didn't feel minor to Eliot! Early to bed for all of us tonight.

it would be a dining zone...unless there is a dining room elsewhere. look for a drop leaf pedestal table.....if you are not in need of it, I would get it anyway...with no light fixture hanging down, and a pedestal base , you can push it to the side a bit. You would end up using it.....and when people are over you will start to use it....you can do things at it with computer/etc. You can lay out food when folks are around, now that you've done a good job and have a place to show off. . It's a light airy space....get a table, but one that is flexible, as it is not a huge space. [lots of tables /chairs on craigs list-very reasonable too] Love the windows....when there is a sale at lowes or similar....look into "top down/bottom up" cellular shades for the windows. I think the light and view can still be enjoyed and you'd get privacy with flexible adjustments they allow....bring some sample books home. ..have a sister or friend or mom help you find the best ones . That is an investment: not super cheap, but would give you benefit.