Organize Emergency Pet Supplies

June first marks the beginning of hurricane season. Virginia granted a tax-free holiday for selected supplies and many of us stocked up on the things we need in case of a weather emergency. It is time to look around at the furry, feathered and scaly creatures we call our pets and make sure we have an emergency plan for their care as well. We need to be ready to take care of their needs if we have to shelter in place without water and electricity or if we have to evacuate in the path or aftermath of bad weather.

Many shelters do not allow pets so it becomes even more important to make sure the plan includes adequate food and water and a safe shelter. Put together a kit that includes:
Ÿ Food and water for five days
Ÿ Manual can opener if needed and a containers for food and water
Ÿ Bedding and favorite toys
Ÿ Kitty litter, scoop, paper, deodorizer bags and other materials for elimination disposal
Ÿ Medications and medical records, shots and vaccinations in waterproof container
Ÿ Pet carrier, heavy duty leash and harness for each pet

Place the materials in a container that is easily portable and keep it with other emergency supplies. When weather emergencies occur you will be prepared to take care of your pets as well as yourself and your family.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

The Clutter Whisperer

I’ve got clutter and I must clean up!

It started when I got a virus on New Years Eve that lingered for three weeks. When I recovered, I was washed out and easily tired. There was no time to take care of the little things as I caught up with clients, did speaking engagements and checked on a sick mother. The mail went unsorted, dirty clothes piled up and the detritus of living went unattended. In other words, clutter happened. It happened in the way clutter usually happens. Some life event prevented me from performing usual routines that keep me organized.

While I was sick, the only thing that did not hurt was my eyeballs, so I watched television programs I seldom see. On one of them, I became acquainted with Cesar Milan, known as The Dog Whisperer. The psychology he uses to rehabilitate aggressive, scared, lazy, or compulsive dogs struck me as relevant to organizing. During one feverish period I even fancied myself as a “ clutter whisperer” taming piles of unruly items into organized spaces that stayed that way.

The reality is that much of the psychology Milan applies to rehabilitating dogs can be applied to getting organized. In fact, he says he rehabilitates dogs and trains people. That is a true statement for organizers. We rehabilitate spaces but educate and train clients in organizing techniques. There are some other parallels I found interesting. Milan advocates a three-step process of exercise, discipline and affection. My philosophy for organizing is get started, stay focused, and celebrate the successes. Sounds similar to me.

Milan also advocates setting rules, maintaining boundaries and recognizing limitations. All are important concepts in organizing, especially when organizing for groups like families or office staff.

The more I think about it, “clutter whisperer” is a good title. Although clutter is inanimate, it often takes on a life of its own. It causes us no end of trouble and we invest it with a whole host of emotions.

So try a little “Whisper” psychology and see if it tames your mess. Mine is almost back in order. One more day of focused discipline should do it. Then it will be time to celebrate with a little treat for myself. Maybe I will watch the Dog Whisperer.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Pet Projects

Pets become members of our families. As much fun as they are to have around, they require time and care. They also have a host of products that we must keep around the house to make sure they are comfortable and happy. Pets come with their own brand of clutter—feeding dishes, pet beds, litter boxes, training paper, pet food and toys are just a few. There are some products on the market that provide a little order or a way to cover common eyesores associated with pet care.

Pet beds are more attractive than a heap of blankets on the floor. Some pet beds, disguised as furniture, offer attractive solutions to housing pets in small spaces where everything is in view. The dog bed/ cubby combination from Pottery Barn has a bed large enough for medium sized dogs topped with nine cubbies for storing pet supplies or family gear. Orvis carries “furniture crates”, pet crates in various wood finishes made like a dresser for animals up to seventy-five pounds and like an end table for smaller pets. The dresser has two functional drawers. At Precious Pets Paradise there is even a pet Murphy bed that folds into a cabinet and pulls down to provide a resting-place. Pet Smart carries a variety of cat furniture that provides a combination of perches, cylinders and cubes for scratching, perching and resting. Their bamboo bed with storage drawer is a convenient way to hide away toys. You can even hide the litter box with covers available in wood from Pet Smart and whicker from Orvis

These vendors also offer a number of solutions for feeding stations that come in wrought iron, porcelain and wood. Orvis carries a wooden feeding station in two heights and two finishes. They also offer attractive alternatives for storing pet food including hand made wooden barrels and a lift-and –store feeding station that stores twenty pounds of food underneath and has two feeding bowls on top. Pet Smart offers automatic feeders that are convenient for cats and a Drinkwell water fountain that encourages drinking and keeps water fresh, as well as a dog-proof cat feeding station for the 40% of dog owners who also have a cat.

When you take your dog for a walk or to the dog park, pack all his gear in the Olly dog park sling that has organizer pockets, a poop bag dispenser and dual leash attachments for hands-free walking. It is available in two sizes from REI Outlet.

Finally, organize all your pets information including papers, inoculations and medical information in a spiral bound organizer for important papers that includes a place to leave instructions for sitters and vets. This is available at Orvis.

Pets are a pleasure. There are ways to keep your home organization from going to the dogs while you enjoy their company.

Web sites
http://www.paradise-pets.com/
http://www.orvis.com/
http://www.petsmart.com/
http://www.potterybarn.com/
http://www.rei-outlet.com/



Beverly & Kristen

http://www.keytransitions.net/