The Dyson DC41 "Animal" is the best vaccuum I've ever owned for animal hair. We built a new house 3 yrs ago and I had a central vac system installed with "hide a hose" because I was told that the central vac had much more suction. We have 2 hairy beasts - a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Maine Coon cat. The central vac and the hide a hose was such a pain to drag out and use that I went out and bought the Dyson, intending just to use it on my hardwood floors. Since I've had it - about 2 yrs now - I have never used the central vac! It pulls more hair out of my carpeting and furniture than you can imagine. It also is superb for pulling dirt and grit out of the hardwood floors, where the boards are joined. The only downside is how much you have to empty the collection bins because they pick up so much stuff that other vaccums miss. I love the Dysons so much that I just bought their smallest cannister just to clean my stairs and smaller jobs. If I were building another house, I would not waste money on a central vac system again - I'd just buy a Dyson for each floor. LOVE them and I've owned just about every brand of vaccuum cleaner on the market at some time or another.

Andrea, I looked online for instructions to make hidden tab (back tab) panels and found the site I have linked below. My fabric was $2.00 a yard from eBay, and I bought it from a seller who sells leftovers from a company that makes bedding, comforters, etc. It was 110" wide, including the selvages. The window that you see above is 39" wide, with the rod mounted a bit outside on each end. My fabric was so heavy that there was no need to line these. I cut off the selvages on each side, and split the width down the center. I did double one inch side hems, so each side took up 2". My finished panels are 51" wide. I put 7 tabs across that width, just over 7" (on center) apart. The outside tab on each end is between the bracket and the final, so if I choose to draw them closed, the panel will stay in place, being held by the bracket. I'd typically hand hem to hide stitches, but this fabric was so heavy and patterned that I used my machine to blind stitch them. That can be a tad tricky for a person who doesn't sew a lot, so I'd hand hem if you are more comfortable. Mine have double 4" hems on the bottom. The valance that I made for the bay window is 170" wide for a 64" wide window. I can't use panels there as the dogs like to jump up in that window and check our the back yard. Here is a link that might be useful: back tab panel instructions.

After years of the carpet being soiled it's most likely not salvageable. The pad has absorbed the odor and by this time the urine has probably soaked into the sub-floor. Before bringing another animal into the home, I'd suggest consulting with a flooring company (not the big box stores) so they can send someone out to check your sub-floor for damage. If there is no rot, you can have someone treat the sub-floor and then coat it with a sealer (to keep any remaining odor out) before new flooring goes down. Also, the homeowner shouldn't have to move anything if they aren't able.........all carpet installers I've used move my furniture. If you want new flooring while Nutmeg is alive consider vinyl instead of carpet. Personally, I would work with Nutmeg on getting her to go outside. Take her out on a regular basis with a harness or leash, and start by sitting outdoors with her (not in your lap) so she can slowly adjust. The fact she's blind shouldn't be a reason for her not to go out. I've had blind senior dogs and, with guidance on a leash, they had no problems going outdoors.

I like 3/8" rubber in rolls or mats. Some people claim they smell bad, but I don't find it objectionable and it dissipates over time. https://www.rubberflooringinc.com/rubber-flooring/index.html?campaign=105557825&content=646078963839&keyword=rubber%20gym%20flooring&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7aqkBhDPARIsAKGa0oL3ZtF-9t8E06SHV-M8vokundu8N1vHYKIlLahKaaIMq1yGvAi-pXcaAkzoEALw_wcB