New puppy for Christmas? How to make a home for Fido without breaking the bank!

Okay, Grandma got herself a Velcro-dog for Christmas.  He's a tiny Chihuahua that I have named "Duffy." 
I had a really tough time picking out a name - we tried out Mar'teenie,'  Poncho, Lefty,  Dennis (the menace,) Monte(zuma,)  Tuffie, and others.  Some of the names we called him (like when he forgets where to potty) are un-publishable, a  lot were just too common or too gooey (* like yum-yum or pookie or sweetie-pie,)   and many were just plain d.u.m.*

Along with puppies come challenges. There's personal hygiene, diet, exercise equipment, vet bills, wardrobe, toys and games, and the cleaning crew.   --- and those are only the ones I've discovered in the last four days.


 This series will focus on frugal ways to own a dog responsibly without breaking the bank......Even though he is worth it  (I mean, look at that face!)

First Things First : Homemade Urine Eliminator:

First and foremost, there will be accidents.  They are inevitable with a puppy.  The good news is that they can be 'yesterday's news' with some diligence on your part and a handy spray bottle of  urine eliminator.     




WalMart has this on their website for $5.99, but you can make your own for pennies with vinegar, water, peroxide, dish soap, baking soda, a couple of old spray bottles, and a brush.. CLICK HERE  to be magically transported to the E-HOW website and the recipe.  Duffy is pretty well confined to the hardwood-floored family room, but he is, of course, mobile, and well (blush)  ....sh** happens.

 I keep a squirt bottle of the  vinegar solution under my end-table for quick disposition of accidents, and I follow through with the soda and peroxide treatment after the vinegar has dried.  (You want to be careful because the vinegar will react with the soda, and you don't want to discolor your carpet.)  I find that this system destroys the urine odor,  short-circuiting his natural instinct to relieve himself in the same spot.

Click the blue link above, or Click Here to be magically transported to the E-How website!

**Note :  Duffy is not a good student so far.   It may be a long few weeks.  I will keep you posted.**

Next post :  Wardrobe:  How to make a dog sweater.