Pet Projects

Pet Projects

Even though we like to think of our pets as important and
treasured members of our families, we sometimes forget about ways
we can include them in our home design and decorating plans.

Thanks to new products and technologies, it has never been easier
to incorporate the needs of our four-legged (or in some cases,
two-legged and gilled) friends into our home designs.

Fabrics: In addition to fun and whimsical pet-inspired patterns,
the growing popularity of outdoor living spaces has led to the
development of new moisture-resistant and antimicrobial fabrics
that are indistinguishable from traditional indoor fabrics.
Whether you choose them to upholster your pieces or use them just
as slipcovers, these fabrics are ideal for pet owners who like to
share their favorite sofas and chairs with their furry friends.
Check out Crypton Super Fabrics to see new fabrics created by
photographer William Wegman and architect Michael Graves that
appeal to pet-loving families. Perennials Fabrics carries an
extensive line of products ranging from contemporary to
traditional patterns and has recently teamed up with textile
designers Galbraith & Paul to create an exciting new line of
durable and beautiful products.

Flooring Surfaces: If you have a family member (or members) who
suffer from allergies and you don't enjoy heavy cleaning on a
frequent basis, you should avoid deep pile carpets such as shag
rugs. Hard surfaces enable you to control allergens better, but
in the past many pet owners shied away from hardwood floors
because of concerns about claw and scratch marks. Thanks to a new
water-based, low VOC polymer floor finish called "Traffic" from
Bona , pet owners can put those fears to rest and once again
enjoy beautiful and easy-to-clean hardwood floors.

Air Quality and Odor Control: Pet owners and non-pet owners alike
should consider room or whole- house air purification systems
that are attached to the air conditioning unit. These filtering
systems, along with a good vacuum with a HEPA filter, can help
remove allergens and irritants from your home (and not just pet
irritants) thus making the air healthier for everyone. To help
control pet odors, make sure you clean up any messes on carpets
and fabrics as soon as they occur and use good quality kitty
litters with maximum odor absorption capabilities. Yesterday's
News - by Purina is made from recycled newspaper and is a good
choice. Avoid scented cat litter - the chemicals used can
irritate both you and your pet.

Space Planning - Indoors and Out: If you own a large dog or a
big bird, you should consider this animal's space needs just as
you would consider the space needs of another member of your
family. Make sure your most-used living spaces (kitchen, family
room, bedrooms) can accommodate your large animal. And regardless
of whether your pets are big or small, find ways to integrate
your animals' needs into your daily life by ensuring that pet
beds, cages, fish tanks and crawling trees blend with the flow
and style of your home. Depending on your style, you might find
something appealing at postmodernpets.com or barkdeco.com. Try
the Lotus Cat Tree or the wicker litter box from dogbedworks.com
or petsnap.com

If your animal enjoys the great outdoors, you may want to
consider a pet door for easy access in and out. Make sure your
yard offers a cool, shady spot for those occasional (and much
needed) cat, rabbit and dog naps and keep it enclosed to keep
your special family members safe from traffic and other hazards,
including wildlife that may prey on them. An outdoor bird aviary
is perfect for milder climates and adds a touch of elegance to
your garden.

A Room with a View: Lucky for us humans, many of our pets?
special homes serve as more than just a place for them to hang
their hats, so to speak, and can actually accentuate the
aesthetics of our homes. The light, color and movement of a
beautiful glass tank filled with azure water can reflect
surrounding room light and highlight the bright colors of the
exotic tropical fish that zip and zag about inside it. The rustic
charm of an antique rabbit hutch might be the perfect anchor for
a terrace or porch corner. A whimsical bird cage hanging
gracefully from the ceiling can add vertical visual interest to a
room. As evidenced by the items available through some of the
websites listed above, the choices for stylish pet homes have
exploded in recent years, so you no longer have to limit your
choices to cheap plastic tubes in gaudy colors but can actually
choose pet homes that enhance your existing decor.

So as you make plans to redesign or redecorate your home,
remember all the warmth and comfort your pets bring to your life
and make a commitment to find ways to make them warm and
comfortable, too.

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Kaja Gam offers interior design in New York. Recently featured
on HGTV.com, Kaja is famous for designing rooms that are
comfortable, functional and make a distinct statement about
your personality. Sign up for Kaja's free e-zine today at
http://www.kajagamdesign.com

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For The Love Of Westies: West Highland Terrier Or Westie Rescue

Article Title: For The Love Of Westies: West Highland Terrier
Or Westie Rescue
Author: Jeff Cuckson

Purebred dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters, and
volunteers can be found in every state to seek them out. West
Highland White Terriers, and even breeds considered rare, all
pass through shelters every year. Those who perform Westie
Terrier rescue are committed to matching homeless terriers with
loving new owners.

Dog owners give up their pets for a variety of reasons, and
many of them have nothing to do with the animal's temperament or
behavior. Perfectly loving, well-behaved Westie Terriers are
rescued every year because their owners have died, moved into
retirement homes, or are suffering from ill health. Other dogs
find their way into shelters because of allergies, divorce, or
new babies.

Westie Terrier rescue organizations do find strays, dogs with
behavioral problems, and dogs who have not been housebroken. A
dog that has lost its owner, for whatever reason, will probably
grieve, so it is crucial that adopted terriers be matched with
the very best new owner. Rescuers will want to determine that
the home the terrier is destined for is loving, secure, and
committed to keeping the dog permanently.

If you wish to perform your own Westie Terrier rescue, a good
place to start is the breed's national and local clubs. The
Westie Terrier Club of America has its own National Rescue
Coordinators, and keeps lists of participating organizations,
state by state. There are also general purebred dog rescue
organizations that handle all breeds, but have representatives
that specialize in individual ones, like Westie Terriers or
Westies. These are usually found in major metropolitan areas
around the country. Your local Humane Society can often refer
you to purebred dog rescue groups, as can their national
organization, The Humane Society of the United States. Try
looking in your local paper for dog rescue groups, or on the
internet.

When you find your Westie rescue organization, expect to go
through an application process before you can get a dog. There
may be adoption fees for your terrier, and most organizations
will expect you to immediately spay or neuter the dog if it has
not already been. Some breed representatives have waiting lists,
but if you are patient, there should be a Westie or West
highland Terrier for you to rescue.

About The Author: Jeff Cuckson is owner of
http://crazyaboutwesties.com a membership site devoted to
Westies. For your 14 day Free Trial to this site Jeff recommends
you visit: http://www.crazyaboutwesties.com

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