3 Cool Pet Products

Use these products to pick up after your pets.

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Stained carpets, cat hair everywhere and a general doggy smell are the prices we pay for our beloved pets. Here, new help for pesky problems:

Stains - Spray Holy Cow all-purpose cleaner on almost any surface to erase spots. It has no strong chemicals, so it’s safe to use in places frequented by your favorite four-footer ($3 to $4; holycowproducts.com). For more advice, visit the Humane Society at hsus.org and search for "stains."

Shedding - Groomers and vets brush with the FURminator deShedding Tool to reduce shedding up to 90% in cats and dogs. It can also cut down on hair balls, dander and airborne allergens. Our staff tester loved this hair-removal wonder ($35 to $70; furminator.com).

Smells - Place an Earth Care Odor Removal bag near offensive odors to absorb them, or sprinkle the nontoxic granules on carpets, furniture, cat boxes—even on your pet—to get rid of the unpleasant smells ($10; Petco; cleartheair.com).

From Reader's Digest - November 2007

 

• Keep Kitty's Box Fresh
• 3 clever tricks for taking care of your cat's litter box.
• 
• 5 New Holiday Fashions for Your Pet
• From festive Santa bandanas to red and green collars -- stylish accessories to get your pooch in vogue for the holidays.
• 
• A Clean House with Pets: 4 Tips
• Short and simple suggestions for making pet mess less of a problem.
• 
• Cat and Dog Hair on Clothes and Furniture
• Creative solutions for picking up after your pets.
• 
• Meditate With Your Pet
• Meditating with your pet is good for the health and wellness of both of you!
• 

“ Weed out calories from food and drinks you've been overlooking: spreads, dressings, sauces, condiments, drinks, and snacks. ”

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There was a historical marker near our West Virginia home commemorating the Civil War Battle of Blue's Gap. One day when an oncoming bus was taking too wide a turn, my wife swerved our van out of the way, accidentally clipped the sign and broke it. Wanting to do the right thing, I called the state police to report the damage. Apparently the war is still not over, because the trooper I spoke to asked, "Who won that battle?" "The Union," I replied. "Well, don't worry about it," he said, and hung up.

-- Ted Kalvitis