I just don't want any perfumes as she suffers with IBS so I don't want anything irritating her gastro system.

I was gonna suggest All Free Mama! As usual you are way ahead of the curve!!

MamaP...Arm & Hammer packs/pods. They are very low sudsing, rinse VERY clean and clear and there is virtually no scent!!

I'm out of the A&HPacs Larsi so I'll probably use the ALL Pods...and still do a double rinse...hopefully they come clean this time..really they need disinfected but I don't dare use chlorine bleach, her poor gastro system in in bad condition. I also can't just throw the toys away and replace, she mothers them lol.

You using the clothes washer or the dish washer? I would use just something like plain baking soda if in the dishwasher....but if in the clothes washer, I would use a soap, or detergent meant for baby clothes....after all our babies also suck on their clothing and we don't want toxic stuff there either.

Good idea about Baby Detergent but I'll stear clear of using soap since it requires a whole new set of laws. And I'll be using the Speed Queen clothes washer...I don't want fuzz getting trapped in my D/W'er ...imagine the lint on my dishes LOL.

Seriously you ask if I was using a D/W to wash dog toys..LOL.

When I wash Ziva's (my beagle) toys in the SQ I put them in a large laundry bag. She always tries to "kill" them, tears out the stuffings. and they wont get all over the washer that way.

Bea, my lily licks them until she falls asleep, she treats them like they are her babies except for a few that she likes us to throw..I can't tell you how many times Amiee has sewn these toys. I know they really do need disinfected. I could use chlorine bleach than give extra rinses to be sure its all out. Thats a good idea about the laundry bag, I think I'll do that. Thanks Bea

Depends on what kind of dog toys you are talking about....my Latte has a lot that are vinyl or rubber squeaky toys.

Mama, I would be really careful with chlorine bleach. your sodium percarb in hot water might be the way to go. Just let them soak a bit. It's just me, i guess but I would be afraid that even a trace amount would be left in the toys. Vets recommend peroxide to make dogs throw up, so I personally would be more comfortable with that. But like I said that's just me.

Good idea Bea No Chlorine. ..I'll use oxygen bleach in very hot water. Thank You.

OMG and the kids want a Yorkie...and i'm thinking about it.LOL. Actually I spoke with our Vet about getting another dog...he said remember Lily is 6 with health issues..the whole family loves her dearly..if you wait and get another dog when Lily is gone the entire family will most likely resent it..his advice is get another dog while Lily is still with us to prevent that from happening. I think its good advice.

You are welcome, Pink. A yorkie sounds great!. When our first beagle, Bud, was very ill at 15yr. (we got him at 8 weeks old). I tell you I could not have loved him more if he was a skin kid. I told myself I didn't want another. Well,as you can guess, it lasted for 3 weeks. We saw this sweet, little adorable beagle at a shelter. She was heartworm possitive and in tact. She was a hunting dog and my guess is she wouldn't hunt. Well she is now a happy healthy sweetest member of our family.

If you do get another one before Lily crosses the Bridge, treat her a little extra special for a while at least until she gets used to a new bother or sister. But knowing you I know that won't be a problem.

And if you find you have to make that decision and you need to talk to someone, I'm here for ya. It can be hell and you will need to talk to someone, believe me. Sorry for the long post, just my soft spot of our fur kids.

Thank You Bea...I hope its years before I lose Lily...I don't think I could stand to lose her. I've never been an animal lover never bonded with a animal. ..6 years ago when Amiee convinced me she had to have a Yorkie I started looking..I found the runt of the litter about 2 hours from us and called. They were asking 400 $ which is a good price so off we went..when we arrived and they invited us in, the home was in deplorable condition. There was a yorkie laying on the floor and the ugliest chi I'd ever seen on the couch..in a medium sized cage was this tiny puppy eating feces...that's right my Lily. It was plain to see she was Yorkie and Chi and not healthy..I immediatly handed them the 400 and told them to give me my puppy..they could tell I was furious. I took the tiny pup and walked out on the porch turned and told them that they did not scam me that I got a better deal because I would have paid any amount for this dog once I seen her..by the time i got Her home I loved a dog.......ended up Bea that she weighed 13 ounces and the parisites ate holes thru her entire gastro system..She is now 6 year old and weighs 9 pounds but goes regularly to the vets for fluids as she gets bouts of vomiting. The only thing she can eat is boiled boneless skinless chicken breasts. And I love a dog.

Not that I'd consider it useful for battling the stomach flu, or some hospital superbug epidemic... But, it's worth noting that White Vinegar is actually a pretty decent grade disinfectant.

And for what it's worth.. :) The surfactants in Laundry Detergents combined with the agitation and dilution of water in the machine, do help to clean and break-up bacteria by a decent bit. Honestly anything would have trouble staying stable in Alkaline washing conditions.

Bleach is obviously your best bet for anything that needs to be really cleaned, used separately from the main-wash of course. But I think Hot Water, Detergent & Vinegar would be good enough for the most part.

Bea...tonight I talked with the kids about how Yorkies have so many health problems and they agreed to choose a dog a bit more hardy..than Tim looked over at the pic of Larsi's dog and jumped up dang near in tears saying that's what I want..grandma that's my dog ..***ROSIE***.. grandma that's the kind of dog I told you before I want...than Amiee pipes in MOM that's what I've always wanted..I told you before I have always wanted a Beagle..than Chip starts on me..and Tim still hasn't stopped chanting ROSIE...ROSIE...LMAO...what do you say Bea?? Should I start hunting for a Beagle puppy??

I use that detergent that dare not be mentioned. I'll call it Chuck's Detergent. It's always worked well for me. Nellie's doesn't seem to work as well for me, which is odd since they are very similar. I wouldn't have a problem using H202/sodium percarbonate. Otherwise, I would go with one of the 'natural detergents' or baby detergents..something marketed as non or less toxic

Thank you Speer...LMAO@ Chucks detergent. Haha.

sspeer9 - LOL! I still love good ole "Chuck's" stuff.

mamapinkyo - anything perfume free but has enzymes will be good for dog slobber. That's my go-to for our dog's toys and beds.

mamapinkyo - re: beagles ...... they are cute dogs and have their following. They also are difficult to contain either in a fence or even underground "invisible" fence. The various ones in our neighborhood are always getting out. They also shed like crazy, I've been told, if you're looking at an indoor dog.

Best dog we ever had was a Shih Tzu. Hypoallergenic and they. do. not. shed.

Pinky, Sounds like she came from a dreadful puppy mill. I hate those places. All they are concerned with is the money. Bless her heart and yours for loving her and caring for her.

IMO you can't beat a beagle. But a word of caution. Beagles are NOT to be trusted off leash. The pick up a scent and that's all there is in their world. A good fenced in yard is a must. They are highly motivated scent hounds and once they pick up on a scent there's no stopping them. Nose on the ground constantly.

If you and your family want another dog do research different breeds and check out local shelters, you would be surprised and what loving dogs you can find there. You can even find some pure bred dogs there.

re: dog shelters .... a dear elderly friend found the best little dog at our local pound, many years ago. Her Shih Tzu had died a few months before. One day, without planning to, she drove to the pound, went in, told them what she is looking for, and left. A few days later, they called her. She brought home a very well-mannered purebred Shih Tzu who had been neglected and turned in, in favor of the surrendering family's newer puppy. (those people were nuts.... bit I digress) This little dog was the best companion to my friend for years and now lives with her daughter. (my friend passed away almost five years ago). Daughter is in love with this little dog, too! We always felt that because my friend went in and talked to them, explained her needs, was willing to wait, and they got to look her over, that the dog was hand-picked just for her.

Beagles have a lot more energy than yorkies. They need a lot of exercise and training to be good pets. They have a distinctive bark and will bark at anything, that's what they do. You've said your boys love to play in the woods, so will the dog. If they are yelling like boys do, the excitement will grow and they will feed off each other louder and louder. I understand your preference for a small dog, consider a sheltie or a terrier (also needs training). Dog energy levels are very important because you're already doing so much. Consider older adult dogs already trained. I don't mean a fancy show dog just the basic sit, stay and down performed flawlessly. I would think your daughter would need that in any dog larger than a yorkie. Good luck.

Good advice everyone. The heavy shedding on the Beagle is a disappointment and picking up on scents, I do live in the woods but my back yard is enclosed with a 7 foot high fence. But the wildlife still gets in ..So I just don't know...I've thought about stopping at the shelter and telling them what I'm looking for..so maybe I'll do that. I'm not rushing into anything, this is something that will take careful consideration. it also does not need to be a purebred dog...a heinz 57 needs a home also...my requirements are low shedding..no bigger than medium sized...it must be a puppy...my kids will love a dog reguardless if its a show dog or a mutt. And it needs to be healthy and hardy. I'm taking my time..the boys know this isn't happening this week..and it could take months...they understand. I just don't dare take them to the shelter with me..or they will want whatevers there lol.

mamap - remember that dogs dig their way out under fences, too. Beagles and huskies are known escape artists. There might be some other breeds, too.

Non-shedding breed is the best way to go. You've got enough on your plate with the laundry. (LOL) After 16 years living with a Shih Tzu, I FORGOT that real dogs shed. Aaaaaack! Our little 17-lb. spaniel is a fur machine and I have lint rollers in every room in the house, AND in the car. I have even found dog hair inside the refrigerator. Eeeeew. The stuff is everywhere and she is brushed regularly. We love her to bits and she *is* a love, but no more shedding breeds for us after she crosses to the Rainbow Bridge.

Cavimum the shedding would drive me insane..and my 6 year old has acute asthma although he tests negitive for allergies to dogs I just can't tolorate heavy shedders. Lily sheds only very little in the spring but she's part Yorkie part Chi and I think its the Yorkie in her that prevents shedding. I know there are long haired breeds like Maltese that don't shed but they also require a LOT of grooming. So that's out. My son found Chi puppies that will be ready to leave mom in February. .Iay look at them..I know they shed but not nearly as much as some breeds.

Low shedding, you just wiped out a batch of dog breeds and their cross breeds. How about a poodle? They require some brushing, but it's wool not fur. Highly intelligent. The standard was bred as a hunting dog. I love the miniature and larger toy sizes. Smaller, you run into the same problems you've had with your yorkie.

Anothere vote for a poodle or a poodle mix....but with a mix there is not guarantee you will get the poodle non shedding factor.
I take my poodle to be groomed every 6 weeks, never have to brush nor do nails, and she looks and smells sweet all the time. Poodles are smart....smarter than you and I...come in all sizes, are sweet, playful....and were bread to be retrievers...to bring back downed water fowl>
Besides they are silly and just plain fun!

Miniture poodles are on our list to look into thank you both...

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