lukkiirish,

Apology accepted.

We just changed bed linens. It took 4 minutes, 29 seconds to strip it and remake it.

My wife was laughing the whole time; couldn't believe I was timing our bed making skills.

This subject reminded me of the posting of the sister-in-law that visited and asked for clean sheets every day, while they were out doing fun things. I do not recall who posted it, but have often wondered if she ever quit being the slave hostess!

That was me with the house guest who wanted daily clean sheets. I did quit that behavior! I now tell guests, up front, sheets are once a week but there are extras in their closet if they wish to change them themselves more often. They don't. The "difficult one" has not been back. I really appreciated the support and agreement here that it was OK to hold my ground on that issue.

This is a distinction only someone who just tolerates pets - not a true pet lover - would make.

One might also wonder how such a person copes with the less pristine periods of marriage/illness/old age in others as well as the frequent mess inherent in infants and young children.

Elizabeth. ..better not let your guests find out you change your sheets every 2-3 days but theirs only once a week. Lol

No, cat huffing isn't an illegal drug gone feline. ... Cat huffing involves burying one's face into a cat's body (usually the neck or belly) and repeatedly inhaling the kitty scent.

This has been in the comics of late. :0)

Yes, my cat sleeps with us, we insist. This time last year, our furnace started having issues, the pilot light wouldn't light. He'd literally wake me up and let me know about it. Probably kept the pipes from freezing. We had a new furnace installed with a different type of pilot light after it happened twice. He's our little "watch out for us" kitty cat.

I change the sheets once a week under normal circumstances. I firmly believe that one can be a true pet lover and not have them sleep in their bed with them. There are many reasons such as personal preferance, quality of sleep and allergies to name a few.

My sister came up with the perfect way to reduce washing bedsheets. She's single. Her bed is a queen size. Week one: sleep on left side. Week two: sleep on right side. Then wash. lol I try to wash mine once a week. Key word here is "try". My blankets I do every few months. Especially in the winter because I can't open my windows to air out my bedroom. Less often in nice weather when I can have the windows wide open to air out the mattress and blankets and make the room smell fresh again.

eta: the ONLY time one of my cats was ever allowed to sleep on my bed was when our bedroom was in the basement and my son lived here with his two cats. Sydney hated his cats and refused to come upstairs so she was in the basement all alone most of the day. I would leave my bedroom door open so she could sleep with me and have human contact. Once my son moved out and took his cats with him, she came upstairs again and was around humans 18 hours a day (the other 8 we slept in our room with the door shut). I can't stand animals in the bedroom and especially not on my bed. Ever. I once let a puppy sleep on my bed and he pooped while I was sleeping. That and animal hair and fighting over a pillow. Nope. No way.

Debby, My 94 year old aunt does that too! Only hers is a king size!

I wash and iron king percale linens once a week. I wash the blanket (lightweight in summer; heavier in winter) a couple times a year -- same with the mattress pad. The down duvet insert goes to the laundry twice a year; its cover gets washed when it looks like it needs it.

No animals IN our bed. (We have adequate bed covers and central heating. LOL) We've had four Westies, one at a time. Some slept on a dog bed placed on the bench at the foot of the bed.

Towels...weekly. Wash cloths...as needed.

Heck, I don't even *bathe* daily at my age, given my limited activity.

It appears that those who 'sleep with the animals' do a lot more washing. Odd.

"This is a distinction only someone who just tolerates pets - not a true pet lover - would make."

This comment couldn't possibly be more wrong. I'd say more about this but I don't want to disclose those personal details. I've had dogs in my home my entire adult life, with only short gaps after each death. I'm the more extreme dog lover of the two of us and have always been more involved with the dog's care as my schedule permitted (during my working years) , on good days and bad. But they're dogs, not little people.

"One might also wonder how such a person copes with the less pristine periods of marriage/illness/old age in others"

We had more children than the national average and I was (and still am) a very hands-on father and very close to all of my kids. I had no issues of this kind at all.

Dogs and cats are not four footed extensions of the immediate family. Nor are they fur-babies, little people or surrogate children as FAR TOO MANY people treat them, which I find extremely sad. They are dogs and cats, deserving of our love and attention to their health and well being at all times, which they in turn repay with their love and the happiness they bring.

Comments that are critical of ME, rather than just my opinions, will always attract a lot of "likes" and usually from the same crowd. That's fine.

It's just me and the pets.....so I wash the bed linens when I feel they need it :-) And it is a king size bed and I do move around a bit so it can take some time before I think they are grungy enough to wash. And to be perfectly honest, there are more than a few nights that I never make it to bed if I doze off in front of the TV. I may not wake up until the wee hours of the morning and then too tired and groggy to bother with moving!!

I tend to prefer flannel sheets (year round) and even freshly washed but well used flannel sheets never have that same "clean sheet" feel of percale or linen :-) So less of a compulsion for changing more frequently. And changing the linens on a king size bed all by yourself is work!!

btw, my pets sleep on the bed.......not in it......and there is a decorative quilt over the duvet which is covered as well and these all get washed as frequently as I feel necessary. So they are not much of a motivation to make me want to change the linens more frequently.

There are only the two of us. I do laundry every day. I don't even think about it. It's not like I have to wash by hand on a rubbing board, or outside under a tree. I have very few clothes now....lost all in the flood. Having fewer clothes is almost a blessing, rather than a curse. So when I need to make a full load, I will strip the bed and wash the sheets, because I love freshly laundered sheets. I am home all day....it takes no time to do that. I remember one time I had 83 towels. I guess I hoarded towels. I gave a lot of them away to another wildlife rehabber. And some to my daughter. Now I have about 6. I never use a towel over. I know some people hang them up to dry and use them over and over. I have no condemnation for anyone who does that. Things like that that are not my business. I don't spend time thinking about things like that.

"Dogs and cats are not four footed extensions of the immediate family. Nor are they fur-babies, little people or surrogate children as FAR TOO MANY people treat them, which I find extremely sad. "

This is YOUR opinion only, Elmer, and you are welcome to it. But it is not the opinion held by everyone else so please do not try to impose it on those who may have a differing viewpoint. As you are wont to do so often as you apparently think no one else has an opinion that matters. Who are you to decide how other people feel about their pets??

And I sure as heck don't need or want your sympathy about how I feel about or treat my pets!! Go feel sad about something else because I am perfectly happy living my life and treating my pets the way I do.

"This is YOUR opinion only, Elmer, "

Of course, that's correct. Who said otherwise?

"do not try to impose it on those who may have a differing viewpoint"

I didn't and wouldn't. I expressed my opinion.

"Who are you to decide how other people feel about their pets??"

I can have whatever feelings I want, just as you can. I expressly said "which I find extremely sad", which is clearly saying something that is my opinion only. You might not be happy to know how many people I've run into, many pet owners and lovers among them, who agree with me on this score.

" Go feel sad about something else "

I'd say it's you who are intolerant of my views, it's not the other way around. I just said I found it sad that so many lose perspective with animals.

To say that someone who does not have limits to what their pets do (or where they rest) is not a pet lover is ‘fighting words’ to those of us who do love our pets and have spent time (sometimes money) to train them to behave like the wonderful creatures that they are. Pets are a wonderful part of life, but they are not humans. It always makes me a little sad when people use the term ‘fur baby’. Maybe because I have actual children?

ML (always a dog owner who never let them on furniture or human beds, and they were fine with that.)

I don't understand why the way people feel about/treat/refer to their pets (unless there is neglect and/or abuse involved, of course) has to be such a bone of contention (no pun intended). Many people do consider their pets family members and I just cannot see anything wrong with that.

I also don't understand people who criticize others because, according to them, money spent on pets is a "waste" and should be spent on people instead. Just let people treat their pets (and spend their money) the way they see fit (again, as long as there is no neglect/abuse) and let them do what makes them happy. No skin off anyone's nose.

I pay no attention to when I launder my bedding because I have a nice collection of it. But I do allow my cats and dogs when we had them to sleep with me. They all through the years have taken care of me when I have been not feeling well. When I hurt they are right next to or even closer to where the pain is. Even if they did not provide that help to me they are welcome on my bed.

"Of course, that's correct. Who said otherwise?"

You did. Do you bother to read what you write before you post? When you state something like "Dogs and cats are not four footed extensions of the immediate family. Nor are they fur-babies, little people or surrogate children as FAR TOO MANY people treat them, which I find extremely sad" it comes across as a statement of fact, not as your opinion. And perhaps that's what gets folks up in arms about your posts. There is nothing in them that indicates you are actually expressing an opinion....no indicator words that would lead us to understand that is your opinion only and not a Elmer declaration of how the world should be.

As a self described wordsmith, I would think you could easily understand the implications of how you say things as much as what you say.

Anything anyone says is an opinion or information from a third party, unless the person happens to be talking about something they have specific credentials and expertise in. Here or anywhere else.

We all hold opinions and usually think when there are choices or decisions between alternatives, the one we make is what's right for us. I don't ever impose my views on others. That doesn't stop me or anyone else from thinking at times that others holding a different view may have come down on the wrong side of the decision, but that's for them to do and live with.

Sheets once a week unless one of us is sick and then I change them every day or two. The bedspread is pulled back so it gets cleaned about twice a year but I fluff it in the dryer about every 2-3 months, along with the sham covers. The quilt or lightweight blanket we sleep under gets washed about once a month. Again, unless we are sick and it gets washed too.

.......now I've been guilted to go change the sheets.....

LOL

I love my extended fur baby family.

Pffft to you know who.

Just finished changing the sheets and hubby is now taking a nap. He has used up his "first time in the clean sheets" experience for this week and I am looking forward to having that experience when I go to bed tonight.

I don't care, the comment says much about you and nothing about me. IN MY OPINION, stated for those who can't remember a comment is an opinion.

Earlier this month there was a report on our local news about a K-9 police officer who’d been killed in the line of duty. The officer’s name was Axe but the way in which the reporters spoke of him he could have easily been a human and it’s obvious by the turn out at his memorial service (video link posted) he was a member of more than just one “family”.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/watch-fellow-police-dogs-whimper-at-memorial-for-slain-k-9-officer-in-michigan

Also, there are many soldiers who’ve come home heartbroken because they’ve had to leave a dog they adopted and cared for behind. Many have been able to have their dog relocated to the States as a tool to help them to heal. And..more importantly, our Military is becoming more and more accepting of that policy. To me that is a very clear indicator that a large portion of society has really softened it’s perspective about how we view our pets.

A dog will literally risk it’s own life to save the life of someone it loves and they will stlll love someone who’s mistreated or abused them unconditionally. That’s more than most humans would do so why shouldn’t they be considered a part of one’s family? I feel sad for those who won’t or can’t recognize this. When I’m home our dog tends to keep me in her line of sight. If she’s not laying in her bed, she’s watching me work or laying next to me with her head on my lap. The joy she’s brought to our world has more than earned her a place in our family as well as our hearts.

Some of you have to disagree even when in bed. LOL

Ha! You are on a roll with the bed thing today!

I have a lot of respect and wonder for REAL working dogs and also for their handlers. Not the mini guys or little fluff balls with scam "service dog" vests you see women carrying in woven basket purses in stores and elsewhere where dogs really don't belong. Whether the larger ones used for police, or search and rescue, or military work, or even the little guys used as sniffer dogs to find drugs and other contraband at travel entry points. These latter ones are cute, running around and sniffing baggage and carry-ons in the Customs/Immigration parts of the airport when you arrive on an international flight. I've seen them both in the US and abroad.

The thing is, most individuals selected for these intense jobs requiring a lot of training and long work shifts are high drive dogs. Dogs with extreme levels of energy and the need to spend their days working doing something. Many get destructive and unhappy without enough mental and physical work each day. Such dogs often make poor household pets but for the owners who can devote hours every day to keeping them occupied, or owners who spend their days outdoors in settings where the dogs can be with them and roam around off leash running and exploring.

in stores and elsewhere where dogs really don't belong.

If their human is blind or has other severe disabilities, dogs IMHO do belong in stores and other places where the dogs can help.

Dogs have played increasing roles in various disabilities. While there are those who take advantage, the fact is that many people are immensely helped by their service dogs, whether in stores or elsewhere.

If they are service dogs of course they belong in stores, but if they are not, they certainly shouldn't be in a grocery store or any other for that matter. I have seen people with tiny dogs in stores. How are they helping? Please don't say emotional support.

"Please don't say emotional support."

And why not?? Emotional support service dogs have just as valid a role to play with service to their humans as does any other kind of service dog. Or are you saying that people with emotional issues that can be aggravated by being out in public or in close contact with others do not have a valid disability?

Some people don't have the sense to de-worm or take care of a dog properly and they shouldn't be in shopping carts where other people place their food products. If they need to carry their small dog into a grocery store then it should be in a dog pouch/carrier on the person, not in the cart.

I'm talking about tiny dogs.

Sheesh why did this thread turn in to bashing a member for stating an opinion?

Please don't say emotional support.

Hardly a day goes by without a shoot out somewhere, where innocents die. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of these murders, but if a little emotional support in the way of a dog might help even a few so that they do not go out and kill, I would not be so quick to dismiss it. Many people are over stressed, it is not so crazy to think that a little companion might improve mood and maybe even decrease drug/alcohol use.

You pounced again without reading what I wrote, Lucille. I said SCAM service dogs in stores and elsewhere dogs don't belong. I said I wasn't referring to real working dogs, of which the wonderful dogs that work with sight-impaired folks are at the top of the list. The (usually) women carrying color coordinated dogs with often matching outfits or accessories are the ones I have in mind. They can leave their living outfit accessories in the car while they shop. Or even at home.

If you haven't seen the increasing parade of these phony service dog hucksters as I have, especially on airplanes, then you haven't been paying attention.

It's exactly what marylmi is describing. I'm not worried about worms but it's the dogs who serve as fashion accessories to the outfit who can stay in the car. They're fur babies. It has nothing to do with emotional support.

No Elmer, you first wrote about small dogs, and the 'scam' referred to the clothing, and then you went on to say that dogs do not belong in stores. Read your own posts why don't you.

The fact that some of the service dogs are small, and the fact that some advantage is being taken by a few, does not decrease the value of a diminutive service dog.

I said

"Not the mini guys or little fluff balls with scam "service dog" vests
you see women carrying in woven basket purses in stores and elsewhere".

Reread my most recent post about this proliferation of phonies. Or don't , your choice.

If it's a small/tiny dog then carry it on you. People do it all the time with babies. Babies in a grocery cart dont bother me at all but that's not where a dog should be.

elsewhere where dogs really don't belong.

Is what you said, and I'm calling you out on it. Service dogs belong wherever their humans are.

I often like your comments Lucille but not when you misunderstand something and continue to wrongly hammer away. You're bringing up your own misunderstanding over and over, nothing else. I clarified and you continue. Go ahead.

I accept your attempt to backpedal Elmer, you were wrong and had to do something about it.

We have a customer who had this teeny tiny little furball of a dog. My cat is twice the size her dog was. No exaggeration there. Her dog was a service dog! We tried to tell her she could not bring her dog inside the store (she carried it in a 'purse', or it would stand by her feet and literally shake!). One day, she pulled out legal government documents saying her dog was a service dog! She had him for that "emotional" support and there was not a thing we could do about it. We have to, by law, allow any and all service animals inside the store with their owner. Her dog died a few months ago. Haven't seen much of her since.

Babies in grocery carts that people place their food items in are gross too. Snotty hands,poopy diaper,drooly face. No better than a dog. Dont care it's a human,and therefore more worthy than a dog, don't want your kids poop germs on my produce any more than I would want an animals germs on them.

Not to mention the incessant screeching....

amylou321, if you saw what I see on a daily basis working in a store, the shopping cart is the least of your worries. I wish I had the picture still of the dirty wet sweaty soggy socks someone stuffed on the shelf beside the Christies Ritz crackers on the shelf when they stole a brand new white pair of socks. I only noticed the gross wet dirty socks because they left the wrapper from the socks they stole, on the floor. I bent down to pick it up and something on the shelf caught my eye. Then there's the people who pick their nose and then pick up an item to check it out, then put it back on the shelf. I could go on, but really: the shopping cart is pretty clean next to some of the stuff on the shelves.

That's kinda my point. People in general are just as if not more disgusting than a dog. And what makes it worse,unlike a dog, people are disgusting on purpose.

In the US unless things changed a store owner, manager, clerk, ect can not just refuse a dog into a store if they are told its a service dog. And no license is allowed to be requested in fact I don't think there are licenses for service dogs.

I thought the topic was about bedding not service animals.

I don't even know. Not nearly as often as everyone else. It's just me, dogs aren't allowed in my bedroom. In fact all bedrooms are off limits to them. Doesn't seem to matter, though, opened the door the other day to the small front bedroom and there was a huge pile of Chewie hair right by the door. I haven't been in that room for a while. Only time I go in there is to get the vacuum and put it back. I usually sweep and not vacuum now too because the dog hair kills my vacuums...so don't use it very often.