pet trouble
Think twice about a festive fur-ball gift. Animal advocate Marie Mead says giving into the impulse to adopt pets during the holidays may not be such a great idea. The author of “Rabbits: Gentle Hearts, Valiant Spirits” (Nova Maris Press, $18.95) says to keep these tips in mind about how much time, attention and love pets really need:
No “return” counter. Adopting a pet is (or should be) a lifelong commitment, Think carefully if you are ready to provide a safe, secure and loving home.
Kids and pets don’t always mix. Younger children who have never been exposed to animals can be too rough and exuberant, inadvertently hurting or scaring the animal, and possibly resulting in bites and scratches. Model behaviors that show the pet is not a plaything, but a respected member of the family.
Hectic holidays. Integrating a pet into your household requires scheduling and a calm environment so they can settle in and bond with their new owners. The holidays may be hectic for animals, causing them to become stressed, ill or aggressive.
floor damage
Holiday toll on home flooring. Winter weather, large family gatherings and even pets can wreak havoc on a home’s wood flooring during the holidays. Daniel Praz, CEO of Mr. Sandless, the largest nonsanding wood refinisher in the U.S., shared some tips on how to protect flooring during seasonal festivities:
Real trees. Water is the enemy of most types of wood floors. If left sitting long enough in one spot, it can cause damage. Place a sheet of plastic underneath real trees followed by a mat and then a tree stand to hold water.
Pets: The scent of a fresh tree can increase pet activity in the home. Keep an eye out for pets that are constantly sniffing around the tree and remember to wipe up accidents as they occur. It takes only about 24 hours before bacteria forms in urine that quickly eats away the floor’s finish.
Partygoers: Heavy foot traffic, spilled drinks and ground-in dirt during a holiday party can rapidly age wood floors. To protect the finish, use area mats by entryways. Clean up spills quickly with a damp rag or mop, and never wet your floors too much. Run a dry mop over the floors immediately after the party is over, remembering to run the mop with, not against, the grain of the boards.
Rock salt: Rock salt and other snow-melting products cause damage to the finish and leave floors looking filmy and spotty. Avoid using rock salt in places such as entryways where it can be easily tracked into the home. Have guests remove their shoes before entering.
