Yvonne -
 
I too have a nice place and want to keep it in nice shape.  This is what
I do:
 
I have found that putting newspapers in my fuzzies favorite spots on the
hardwoods has stopped the damage.  I use 3-4 sheets of open pages of
newspaper in their favorite corners.
 
For the carpets, I cut a piece of plastic - thick - to fit bigger than the
open newspaper pages in their corners and other spots - staple it just
above the baseboard - so they can't run off with the plastic - and then
I place open newspaper sheets on top of the plastic and then use two
thumbtacks to secure the newspaper.  This way the carpet is protected
from moisture and odor.
 
I even use this method on my tile bathroom floors to keep the stains out
of the grout and off the baseboards.  Poncho, my little stinker, comes in
when I use the potty and he thinks it's time for him to go too, so he
backs up to the toilet base and makes his deposit.  (He likes to see me
clean it up, put it in the toilet and watch it get flushed down.  Just
like a kid he wants to copy Mom.)
 
Anyway, I just run around each morning or every couple of days - depending
on the "output" - stack one sheet on top of the other, collect it all,
then wad up the newspaper, chuck it and lay down new.  I have a 1900 SF 3
level townhouse and it takes me about 5-10 minutes from top to bottom.  On
the way down the levels, I stop by the fuzzies cage and put their little
"presents" in the newspaper and we're all cleaned up and ready for another
day of playin' and poopin'.
 
Here is a great way to get the stains off the carpet:
I use Natures Miracle.  It has an enzyme agent that dissolves and rids
the spot of any smell and can be used to get rid of spots.
 
For spot treatment, get up as much as you can, then spray the spot with
Natures Miracle, rub and with a wet cloth and blot up the wet spot with a
dry cloth, then spray Natures Miracle on the spot and let the enzymes do
the rest.
 
They sell it for cats, dogs and ferrets.  I called the company and it is
the same solution for all three, just a marketing tool, so buy whatever
you can get at the best price.
 
I hope that helps you and gives you some way to keep your little fuzzie,
if that is what you want.
 
Kim the Oregon one
 
Kim Reyes
Residential Specialist
John L. Scott Real Estate
Direct:  (503) 380-4195
Toll Free 1-877-490-2595
http://www.kimreyes.com
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[Posted in FML issue 3754]