FLEAS!

Not sure about the rest of you, but in the last few weeks the fleas have gotten terrible! We have used an organic flea dip, treated the yard , bathed ( with Adam's Flea Shampoo) sprayed (again with Adam's - seems to work best), treated the house, and bombed. Although we are not (yet) infested, there is a problem. I also purchased Adam's Flea collars. I have even placed white plates of soapy water with a light next to it. Amazingly - the fleas jump onto the plate and the soapy water weights them down and they drown! I have heard that 20 Mule Team borax, or table salt, sprinkled over the floors, allowed to sit 20 minutes, then vacuumed helps. I have searched the internet, and discovered a couple of recipes for 'Flea Terminator Dog Treats', which I will share. I can not vouch for its effectiveness, but - if you are like me you will try anything! I am hoping this works - simply because its all natural, and I feel pesticides can have adverse effects. Poor old puppies are irritated by the fleas, then covered in the pesticides, which make the fleas extremely active before they die, which makes the dogs even more uncomfortable. Here is the recipe:

Flea Terminator Dog Treats

3 cubes beef bouillon

1 1/2 cups boiling water

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup cornmeal

2/3 cup brewers' yeast

2 tablespoons garlic powder

2 egg yolks

Preheat oven to 375º F. Dissolve beef bouillon cubes in boiling water, and set aside, Grease cookie sheet.

In a large bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, corn meal, brewers' yeast and garlic powder. Add the yolks, then gradually pour in the bouillon water while stirring. Mix thoroughly to form a firm dough. On a floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness, Cut in desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 20 minutes, in preheated oven. After baking time , turn the oven off and allow cookies to sit inside for at least 3 hours or overnight to harden. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

I have also read in several places, that brewers' yeast is a natural anti-flea remedy. 1 teaspoon per 30 pounds of body weight, daily can provide the B complex vitamins a dog needs. ( wonder if a B complex vitamin supplement would work as well....)

Garlic, is also a known repellant. Careful with this though - as it can be toxic to dogs. Typically, the problem is with large quantities, not 'seasoning portions'. Ask your vet for if it is appropriate to use garlic for fleas for your pet. WHEN IN DOUBT - leave it out!!!

If anyone has a tried and true natural method they would like to share, please let me know. I will be happy to post, as well as give credit where credit it do!

Labor (Day) of Love

Many people are astonished when they hear we have 5 dogs. And even more astonished when they hear that we have 2 living inside - not to mention the fact that one is a Great Pyrenees. Questions I hear most often are:

1. How much dog food do you use a week? This varies with the seasons. In the Summer we use less, because they eat less due to the Georgia heat - but it averages out to about 50 pounds a week.
2. How often do you have to clean up poo? This too varies with the season, but I have found that many feed stores have foods that when converted to waste, will compost rapidly. But - as a general rule once or twice a week with the pooper scooper is plenty.
3. How can you afford so many dogs? This is a question I ask myself many times! We are lucky that our vet offers a multi pet discount, and we take advantage of the local Rabies clinics. And, we sacrifice things for our animals.
4. How do you control fleas and all the pet hair? This is an ongoing battle, but as with everything in life you take the good with the bad. We treat the yard, animals and house (if those pesky fleas invade). But, lets face it - even if there was only one, we would still have to do the same. And for the pet hair - a daily sweeping or vacuuming tends to be enough. The Great Pyrenees, Lulu, will only shed heavily once a year, and we have not had her long enough to experience that. But, brushing helps.
5. What do you do with them when you go out of town? Simple. We have a sitter. Way too many to board in a kennel - besides, I prefer them to stay in their own comfortable surroundings.

All these things are done without remorse. My feelings are we receive more than we give. They are our guardians, our friends and our companions. We owe it to them to prove ourselves worthy of their devotion.

On long weekends, like this one, its all the more special. I have time to do my regular weekend duties, and still have a whole day left. Thats one extra day I can devote my attention to them. Truly a Labor Day of love!

Self Cleaning Fur?!!!

Last night when I got home, John and I decided to dip all the dogs. I make the dip, and we proceeded. 5 dogs takes a while. We did Lulu first. when we finished soaking her thoroughly, we turned her loose. She went directly to the part of the yard that was just dirt...... and rolled..... and rolled.... and then rolled some more! white dog turned brown with mud!!!! Horrible. Was going to take a picture but had 4 more dogs to dip. I remarked to John 'I hope its true that Great Pyrenees have self cleaning fur - if not - Lulu sleeps outside tonight!"

Well - believe it or not - once she dried - the dirt simple combed out! Unbelievable!!!!!! AND she was so clean at bed time she was able to sleep with me! Next time - I will be prepared and have camera close by!