TERRE HAUTE — Anyone who has ever had a pet knows about the wear and tear associated with owning a pet. Cats scratch and dogs chew. Toys are sometimes left lying around and an occasional accident happens. Most pets are considered family members; for that reason, consider turning your house into a pet-friendly home.
The carpet is usually the first item in the home that will show wear from pets. When replacing the carpet, think of alternatives. There are choices for flooring today that would better hold up to the wear of pets. Hardwood flooring (be sure to choose a hard wood, not a soft wood, such as pine) will add value to your home as well as tolerate pets (and children). Ceramic or porcelain tile, marble, granite, slate, vinyl and laminate are other good flooring choices. Easy cleanup includes sweeping and damp mopping. If you are determined to have carpet, then you might want to consider modular carpeting. It comes in squares, and if something happens to damage an area, simply replace the square.
If you are in the market for new furniture, instead of choosing a loose-weave fabric (something animals can get their claws caught in), consider leather. It wears well with pets (and children). All it requires is a damp cloth and it will look as good as new (even after hair balls and shedding)! If you can’t afford to buy new furniture, think about getting slip covers. They typically wash well and protect your furniture. Ultrasuede and heavy cottons are good choices of fabrics for longer wear. Remember to consider your pet when buying new bed coverings, as well. A satin or knit is out of the question, if your cat or dog share your bed. Also, be sure it is washable.
When it comes to the walls, think washable, as well. Paint is washable, durable and affordable. Wallpaper, especially textured wallpaper, can trap fur, dander and oils from pets (also cats sometimes like to scratch wallpaper).
If you want wallpaper, consider hanging it above a chair rail. Be sure to provide your cat with scratching posts. The best (and least expensive) choice is a piece of firewood; they love it.
The litter box is not an attractive addition to any room. Be creative when deciding where to place it. You can put the litter box behind an attractive screen, behind a large piece of furniture, or conceal it with plants (be careful they’re not poisonous). Avoid putting it in the laundry room (unless you have another one). Your cat probably won’t use it if the washer is spinning or your tennis shoes are in the dryer.
Keep your pet in mind when making home decorating choices, you and he will rest easier and be happier when sharing the space.
Valley Life
Paw Prints: Make your home animal friendly
- Valley Life
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Terre Haute museums keeping history alive
Even if you don’t have a mystical Egyptian tablet that brings museum inhabitants to life at sunset like character Larry Daley in the “Night in the Museum” movies, history can come alive for you, your friends and family at the many museums in the Wabash Valley.
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ANNIVERSARIES: Feb. 12, 2012
• Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Jackson
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Learn brief history of Social Security at Brown Bag
Join Amy Long, Social Security operations supervisor, for a brief history of Social Security, including why and how Social Security was created, changes over the years and information on the future at 12:10 p.m. Thursday at the Vigo County Public Library for a Brown Bag.
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Terre Haute’s litter leads to trashy look, feast for crows
Dear My Fellow Hoosiers,
Why do you litter? When I moved here in April 2007 there were two things that I noticed right away about the Wabash Valley. -
PAW PRINTS: Enjoy a pet-friendly Valentine’s Day
Every year, the poison control experts see a rise in pet cases around Feb. 14, with many involving chocolate and lilies (a flower that is potentially fatal to cats).
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Greene’s Goose Pond offers Marsh Madness, March 2-4
Special to the Tribune-StarWildlife Area’s annual Marsh Madness bird festival takes place March 2-4 at multiple locations around Greene County.
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WEDDINGS: Feb. 12, 2012
• McBride Menestrina
• Baer-Marshall
• Miller-Lunsford
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ENGAGEMENTS: Feb. 12, 2012
• Archer-Cooper
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VIDEO: On the Banks of the Wabash far away …
Paul Dresser left Terre Haute a niche in history.
Opportunism, squabbling and fading memories gradually washed that gift away, like the unending flow of the Wabash River he immortalized in song.
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Vectren cautions public about snow, ice removal
Vectren Energy Delivery wants to remind customers to proceed with caution when removing snow and ice around natural gas meters at their homes or businesses this winter.
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Workshop to emphasize basics of alpaca farming
A one-day seminar on the fundamentals of alpaca farming is planned for Saturday at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
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Genealogy Society offers free forum
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society is offering a free educational forum titled “Brick Wall Hurdling” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in rooms A, B and C of the Vigo County Public Library at Seventh and Poplar streets.
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PAW PRINTS: Want to adopt a pit bull? Here are some helpful hints
Despite the bad publicity, pit bulls can be very lovable and loyal family dogs. There is a great deal of confusion associated with the label “pit bull.” The most accurate definition refers to two breeds: the American pit bull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier. Some people include other breeds in this group because they share similar head shapes and body types.
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Purdue Extension to offer diabetes cooking school
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service-Parke County is offering a diabetes cooking school starting Feb. 27.
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Pepsi Community Caps Program to benefit charities
Refreshment Services-Pepsi will kick off its 2012 Community Caps Program on March 1. The Community Caps Program will benefit several charitable organizations and schools in Clay, Parke, Vermillion and Vigo counties in Indiana and Edgar County in Illinois.
- Special Occasions: Feb. 5, 2012
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Serve as 4-H judge, volunteer
The 2012 4-H Bi-State Judges and Leaders Clinic will be Feb. 18 at Ivy Tech Community College’s Main Campus, at 8000 S. Education Drive.
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BRIDGE COLUMN : Feb. 5, 2012
With January now history we can report new faces in both master point races, male and female.
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Tried 'n' True: Upside Down Pizza calls for crescent rolls
When our boys were young, we went every Sunday evening for pizza in Charleston, Ill. When they got to be older and they were working on the farm, I would make pizza from scratch.
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Extension to offer basic food preservation workshops
Purdue University Extension will be offering basic food preservation workshops at Clabber Girl Culinary Classroom in Terre Haute. Two sessions will offer different methods.
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GRAPE SENSE: Trips open my eyes to new wines in new regions
The wine industry spends a lot of money worldwide to promote brands, regions, and wine tourism. One of the many ways the wine industry invests is press trips.
Depending on when you read this column, I’m either in France or just returned from a press trip.
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Clay Habitat plans open house
Habitat for Humanity of Clay County will stage the dedication ceremony and open house for the Mary Ann Hofmann family home from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 12 at 518 E. Ridge St. in Brazil.
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Born to perform: Terre Haute South senior to sing in Carnegie Hall
Soon, the domed ceiling of Carnegie Hall and the archway in the Hayes family kitchen will share a special connection.
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8th District Rep. Bucshon visits CASA volunteers
The U.S Representative of the 8th Congressional District, Larry Bucshon met with CASA volunteers earlier this month to learn more about the Vigo County Court Appointed Special Advocates.
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Paw Prints: Animal protection law ranking hits home
The Humane Society of the United States released the 2011 “Humane State Ranking” of all 50 states and Washington D.C.
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Tried 'n' True: Here's a recipe for all you chocolate lovers
This recipe is for all you chocolate lovers.
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Soybean farmers build state fair building
Since 98 percent of Americans no longer live on farms, Indiana soybean farmers are going to bring the farm to the public in a new exhibit building at the 2012 Indiana State Fair.
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Sign up now for Rockville Public Library’s ebook class
Rockville Public Library will have free demonstrations on how to use ebook readers with its downloadable ebook service, Overdrive.
- Weddings, Anniversaries: Jan. 29, 2012
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Sullivan Foundation looking for Volunteer of Year
The Sullivan County Community Foundation is currently seeking nominations for its “Volunteer of the Year” award to be announced March 29.
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