Laurie Mustard / Winnipeg Free Press
A customized bin and regular cleaning can help keep a pet-friendly home from smelling.
Laurie Mustard / Winnipeg Free Press
A SAD light can make a big impact for people affected by seasonal affective disorder.
Today’s column has the potential to make you happier, keep your residence much cleaner and definitely more nose-friendly and gives us all an opportunity to give thanks to one of the hardest working friends we have.
First... the HAPPY!
I am one of those lucky people genetically gifted with the depression option, which I would gladly opt out of if I could, but... sadly... (a little humour there)... it doesn’t come with a delete button.
As with all chronic illnesses... arthritis, a pathetic golf swing, etc., it’s something you just deal with.
And thanks to today’s medical science advances in the treatment of anxiety and depression, it is becoming one of those "quality of life spoilers" that we have many more tools to deal with, and that is a very good thing.
Just one of those terrific tools is the SAD light, which helps counter seasonal affective disorder.
Which is?
Seasonal affective disorder, as defined on the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (MDAM) website, is "a mood disorder which coincides with the change in season.
SAD is most common in the winter, when there’s less natural light. When days are shorter and skies are grey, SAD lights can offer relief by mimicking outdoor light."
I’m writing this column in front of my SAD light as we speak.
It’s also fabulous for providing excellent lighting while under the car changing your oil.
My Scottish roots demand I get the most use possible out of this purchase.
It really helps.
"So where can I get one," you ask? MDAM both sells them ($200), and rents them ($20 a month plus $40 — up front — damage deposit). Further information is available by calling Ro-Jean Anstett, MDAM director of administration, at 204-786-0987.
You will be HAPPY you did, and that will make me happy.
A call definitely worth making. You’re welcome.
The next two segments of today’s column relate to those of us who have pets (or furmily) as I call them.
"Pets" makes them sound like things. They are not things. They are love on feet.
This particular home has 20 paws scampering through it daily, ramping up the maintenance duties a bit, but they are soooo worth it.
The paws divide up into two big dogs and four cats, which are an absolute joy to live with.
By the way, none of the cats are declawed, a painful and unnecessary procedure to inflict on any feline.
Cats soon learn, when taught with love, what is OK and not OK to manicure those claws on and are good about respecting the rules.
No declawing.
That aside, some might be saying, "Four cats! How do you keep up with the litter from four cats? Some people find one a smelly mess."
It’s all about having the right equipment, and being disciplined about the disposal of what’s left... behind.
With false humility, I am proud to say I have designed the perfect system for the job.
Purchase a big plastic storage tub, with walls high enough to prevent the litter from being ejected during digging, fill it about a third full, deep enough for kitty to completely bury stuff in, and in one end of the tub cut out about a six-inch-deep entry port.
Not a hole, just cut the side down a bit to allow kitty easier access, and to enable them to be able to see if the washroom is currently occupied.
Remove the clumps at least every two days. Cats are extremely clean animals; they do not like being forced to use a filthy toilet, and sometimes will let you know that by going elsewhere. Keep it clean.
Four cats, no mess, no smell, easy peasy, you’re welcome.
Segment three for today, the world’s biggest thank you to whoever invented the vacuum, without which, I would be living in a fur ball.
Cats shed very little and some breeds of dogs also shed very little or not at all.
I have dogs that shed, particularly Shazzy, the half border collie/German shepherd sweetie (she is so beautiful) who is extremely talented at downloading fur.
The volume of fur coming off of her is my fault, because I don’t brush her enough, like, not at all, which is why I’m so extremely grateful for... THE VACUUM!!!
Yes, furmily can be a bit of work, but the trade-off being many years of unconditional love in return, makes any tasks seem minor when compared to the reward.
So if you don’t have furmily in your home at present, go adopt today. To this, I say not only you’re welcome, but thank you.
Having made your home not only easier to maintain, but happier, I bid you adieu, my work here is done. Not so at home however, where, of course, I have some vacuuming to do.
Best of the season to one and all!
Comments or feedback, love to hear from you!
lmustard1948@gmail.com
