I don't know about the detergent question. When my dog had hotspots the vet prescribed oral antibiotics and a plastic E-collar to keep him from licking more. However I do want to address the flea problem.
The natural non-pesticide way to kill fleas is to buy diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it where the cat lays and sleeps and in the litter box. It is a naturally occurring, soft, chalk-like sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is used as a filtration aid, as a mild abrasive, as a mechanical insecticide, as an absorbent for liquids, and as cat litter. I like to get it from http://www.onlynaturalpet.com
Locally I can find big bags of it at an aquarium store where it is sold for filters, but the smaller amounts I have to get through that website. They call the product: "Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy". It's on sale now. It's safe! I have checked for years for a safe and natural flea product & this is it. ... View related article.
Last year we had a lot of green cherry tomatoes at the end of the season. I simply put them in a ceramic baking dish. That's all I did and they ripened on their own. I didn't do anything else. Here is a photo of Oct. 25 2008, before they all turned red, which they did, but not all at once. ... View related article.
The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan has adressed this on his show. You and your hubby need to be the calm, assertive pack leaders. You are allowing the aggressive dog to be the dominant pack leader. & you become the butler who delivers food. Please start watching The Dog Whisperer on NatGeo channel or get his shows from the library or video rental. For starters make each dog sit and stay before you give them the food. Also make each dog wait so the human is first to leave or enter doors before the dog. It teaches them the pack order of dominance. That helps with everything. Daily walks as a pack are critical too, with the dogs not allowed to walk ahead of the humans. Dogs have to be at the side, so they don't think they are the pack leaders. ... View related article.
My favorite food Pet Promise, made by Dr. Andrew Weil, is sadly ending production at the end of this year :-( I also feed my dogs Pet Guard from Whole Foods which has terrific, pure ingredients. In between, my dogs get sardines for the protein & Omega 3, and various fruits and vegetables like organic apples and tomatoes. I make sure to keep up with warnings from the ASPCA about harmful foods like grapes. My close friend swears by a raw diet for her big breed dogs, but I haven't got the nerve to switch to raw. ... View related article.
For the Jewish Hannukah holiday, the most recognizable symbol is the Menorah, which has 9 candle holders: 8 for each of the 8 days of Hannukah, and one in the middle which is the shamash ("helper or servant"), the candle used to light the other candles. This year Hannukah is from sunset on Dec 11 to sunset Dec 19. Hannukah is spelled other ways too, like Chanukah or Chanukkah or Hanukah.
The menorah and the candles celebrate the miracle of light, when olive oil in the ancient temple was only enough for one day, but miraculously lasted 8 days. Having a menorah up at Christmas time would be very appropriate and welcome. ... View related article.
I gave one to my friend for Xmas. He grew cherry tomatoes. He had to keep trimming back the tomatoes as recommended by the guide, otherwise they grow up to the bulbs. I bought the model the rep recommended for cherry tomatoes, which was not the extended hood. She said that was not necessary for cherry tomatoes. We liked having tomatoes in early spring. They tasted OK, but not as sweet as outdoor tomatoes. The light is on at night so you have to place in a room where you don't sleep. There is a slight noise too. He put it in a spare room. It's hard to move it after there is water in the base. Don't forget that these will add to your electric bills, so it's not really thrifty, especially because the cost of it is way, way more than the cost of buying tomatoes in the store. The unit was well over $100 - maybe $140. I can't quite recall. It's an expensive hobby. This photo is February 26, '09 in zone 5, which was frozen outside. With organic produce available at stores year round now, it is much more economical to buy it that way. ... View related article.
I would like to encourage every dog owner to watch the Dog Whisperer on The National Geographic Channel. He (Cesar Millan) has taught me so much critical information on having an emotionally balanced, calm submissive dog and you being a calm assertive pack leader.
I wish I had known what I know now, 16 years ago when I got my beloved furbaby. Cesar emphasizes that dogs need walks every single day, even if they have access to a yard. He recommends at least 30 or 45 minutes daily.
Cesar also talks about finding something breed specific for your dog to do. Cesar also says give your dog exercise first, then rules, boundaries & limitations next and then affection. There is so much more. Dog Whisperer is on many times a day and each episode is different, as is each dog. His info should be required for every dog adoption, IMHO. ... View related article.
I have found many on the night before trash pick-up on front lawns in older neighborhoods, especially in the Spring. A neighbor told me he likes to put things out over the weekend before trash day because he feels good that items are recycled by people, instead of going to landfills. Last week I got 2 full size mirrors from his lawn and someone else got the perfect one before I could get help to go back there. ... View related article.
