(no subject)

[kragore]

Took Mr. Dog out, and we wound up going for a very long walk last night. Beautiful weather for it - we found a network of 4 wheeler trails up behind the graveyard that must run (I suspect) all the way up to Tufts.
Win.

Over hill and dale, up hills over the mud, it was great fun. Mr. McWPs seems to have a good (exhausting!) time, as he put himself to bed while I was taking a shower after we got back.

The weather has been wonderful, if almost on a touch too warm side. I'm a big fan of 65, what can I say.
After we got back, I gave Mr Dog a good brushing, and discovered that there must be a pretty active deer population up there in the back, because for the first time since we moved in, I wound up plucking 5 deer ticks out of his fur (luckily, before they dug in,) and found 1 entrepid explorer trying to make his way up my pant leg (prompting the scalding shower.)

Going to have to get some dog-safe tick spray. Mr. Dog is vaccinated/parasitic-ed to the gills, but I just don't like the idea of things sucking the blood out of him.

Took the car into the shop this morning. Come to find out, the old place had been leading me on, and I don't need to take it in until it says 15% oil life, or a letter (A,B,C) comes up on the service minder screen.
Woot!
This place even vaccumed the front and gave it a quick wash for me. So for $70, an oil change, tire rotation, belts and fluids checked, and a quickie cleaning. Win!

Got out another round of wedding proofs last night before I left work, Got a 1/2 hour of translations done for work after I got home (while watching Antiques Roadshow.) Must work on the Dance company job tonight.
After this, I think I'm going to take another break from freelancing, unless there's a decent amount of money to be made by it.


Anyway, now, for the real work.
- K.

Comments

[motomuffin.livejournal.com]

I have heard that grey squirrels are much more often vectors for deer ticks than deer are.

Either way... frontline!!

:-)

[kragore.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, He's frontlined and heartguarded and vaccinated against Lyme, but I still worry. Don't like the idea of them on him, in the house... ick.

There is a thriving squirrel population down here, (they like to taunt Mr Dog,) so that would make sense.
- K.

[garou43.livejournal.com]

feeding him mint and or garlic can help kepe the ticks off him.

Yes, some people say that garlic can be toxic to dogs, I know. The ammount you'd have to feed him at one time would most likely be more than he'd be willing to eat unless it was covered in meat, though. They sell pills for them, I think they have brewers yeast in them too, but even just the brewers yeast ones will help cut down on the interest of the blood suckers. I find that they like being checked for ticks, though. It's like a nice massage after they romp about...

[missfirefly.livejournal.com]

If you are using frontline and heart guard I would leave it at that. There really isn't a "dog safe" tick spray that is going to do any more than what you have except expose him to more chemicals/drugs. Either way you slice it ticks are going to happen no matter what you do. All you can do is keep checking him every time you go for a walk and keep a tick jar nearby. That will reduce them from running amuck in the house.

[kragore.livejournal.com]

Mmm...good to know. I have heard that a few drops of Rose Geranium essential oil (or a 2/1 mist of RG oil to water) will deter them. Any idea if this theory holds up?
- k.

[missfirefly.livejournal.com]

I can't say that I have ever heard of using Rose Geranium for anything other than a "deodorant". If a aromatherapy is what you are looking for I have heard of some people using Peppermint, Lemon Grass or Tea Tree. I can't vouch for how effective they are. I have never heard of a case in which ticks were obliterated. It's like burning essential oil mixtures for us to deter mosquitoes. It may deter a few but those little blood suckers are always still there.

Just make sure to look up what plant ext. are non toxic to dogs. I sometimes think I know them all but every once in a while I discover something new.

[embermwe.livejournal.com]

My little guy gets bathed with this stuff:
http://chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/dogshampoo.htm
It seems to do a nice job on my little white dog, (And myself
on occasion as well!) and it smells lovely.
I worry about topical pesticides and toxicity...