Our lovely Duchess Poppy is making a Sunday Dog appearance this week to remind all of her canine and feline friends to do their spring cleaning. She says this can be deligated to the servants but that it must be done! Here is what she recommends:
Toy Inspection
Drag all your toys out of their basket and spread them around. (You know you love to do that anyway!) Then have your people inspect them. If you've really killed them, they go in the trash bag. If they are a special favorite and can be cleaned and fixed, they go in the toy hospital bag. And, if they are still good but you just never really liked them, they go in the donate bag.
Penny fixes my special plush toys by sewing them with super-strong dental floss. It never breaks or gives up the way thread does. We think some smart toy manufacturer should start using it from the start.
Cleaning Toys
Even tough plush toys, tug ropes, frisbees, balls, and hard rubber toys need regular cleaning. The poison control center at the ASPCA has suggestions for using a mild bleach solution or some dishwashing liquids.
Penny opts for an even safer method. She uses baking soda to scrub surfaces, rinses well, and then uses a solution of 50% vinegar & 50% water to clean the toy. Then more rinsing-and-rinsing before allowing the toy to dry.
Some pet toy labels say they can be run through your dishwasher or tossed into the clothes washer. Just be careful to rinse well enough to remove any soap residue – YUK!
Clean Out Your Wardrobe
Since I am a growing pup, I have collars, halters, and jackets that no longer fit and those will be donated. After this messy winter, I also have a few t-shirts (my favorite attire) that are looking shabby-chic. Those will become rags.
Fussy About Food?
This one is especially for my feline friends. If you have unopened bags, boxes, or cans of food that you've decided to shun, have your team put them in the donate bag.
Where and What to Donate?
In addition to items made specifically for cats and dogs, shelters can use towels, sheets, blankets, and more! Here are wishlists from two of the largest Boston Area shelters. But, any group that houses and cares for homeless animals can use the same items.
Animal Rescue League of Boston Wishlist
Set Up a Donation Drive!
My building has a regular donation drive for causes like this. Perhaps you can organize one for your neighbors or dog walking pals. Fill a car with goodies and have them taken to a group that can use them to help animals less fortunate than us.
Thank you, Poppy. You never cease to amaze us!
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino
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