Sunday, March 2, 2003		Sunday Activity

Don’t let a messy pet make you fret

TO keep or not to keep. That is the question whenever the issue of keeping domestic pets arises. And the reason for the dilemma is not far to seek. It’s fun to have a dog or cat as a pet but…there is always a catch. Keeping pets is loaded with responsibilities. And there is always the dread of finding dog litter or hair anywhere and everywhere—-from your own bed and blankets to the velvet couches or the pricey rugs in the drawing room.

But animal lovers know how to handle all the bother that goes with having purring or barking companions in the home. Here’s a quick checklist of some problem areas:

One place where it is most annoying to find pet hair is…where else but in your domestic sanctum sanctorum—the bedroom—- whose sanctity is to be protected with ferocious zeal. But ironically, it is the pillows, sheets and duvets where it is most common to sight the hair of your adorable pet.

The trick for removing pet hair from there and furniture, upholstery, sofa and chairbacks, clothes, etc, is to simply put on a rubber glove and brush it off!

If you have dogs or cats as pets, expect to find urine on your flooring. You will need to take corrective measures depending upon the floor surface that has been littered with urine.

If you have hardwood flooring it is best to sand and refinish it since it is very hard to match up the floor finish once you have dealt with a urine stain on the wood.

If the floor is in great shape and there are only a couple of small stains, you may not want to re-finish the entire floor. In some cases by using superfine stainless steel wool and a small amount of thinner you can remove urine stains but you will have to refinish the area to protect it by waxing and buffing it. However, it will be hard to match it with the rest of the floor.