12th Birthday Party Ideas?
Hawaiian Luau or tropical themes are easy and Oriental Trading Company has a lot of inexpensive decorations and such for that theme. I went to a luau party once where everyone got leis, they had tropical themed food, we had skewers (kids love making their own...
New Barking Dog?
Does he bark when no one is home? If not, and he is barking at your roommate, they may need to befriend the dog - or - you can also have them try shaking a can of beans when the new little dog barks so he associates barking with an unpleasant noise. If he bark...
13th Birthday Party Help?
They would probably love making a craft. Check your local craft store and see what they have. I know Tie-dye kits or decorating t-shirts is usually popular and you can pick up mens undershirts pretty cheap. Fimo clay crafts are fun as is decorating picture...
Installing Laminate Flooring?
We have had Pergo type laminate flooring in our house for several years. My recommendation would be to buy an extra box for repairs and avoid using it in areas that may get wet. While technically you can replace a section of damaged laminate, the colors change...
ASPCA Immunization Truck Schedule?
Here is a link to the APCA Mobile Pet Clinic schedule for New York: http://www.aspca.org/nyc/aspca-mobile-spayneuter-clinic
New Poodle is Afraid to Come When Called?
Use treats! Be calm, be patient, and let her come to you. There are two reasons she might run - she thinks its a game or shes afraid. If you chase her to pick her up thats not going to change :) Instead be calm and soothing. Come down to her level and dont...
What is His Breed?
Hes cute! Pit bull terriers are known for those super expressive ears, but the long narrow muzzle. Could come from a husky. Although his coloring makes me think border collie? :)
Removing CD Stuck in Macbook
I had this happen with my Dell Laptop. It also has a CD slot. I had good luck using two zip-ties to grab the disk and pull it out, but it did scratch the disk a bit (luckily the disk was still usable). Hopefully it never happens again, but if it does, I will...
Quick and Easy Chicken and Dumplings
I make a soup very similar to this, except I add a bag of frozen mixed vegetables. Fast, easy, and tasty!
What Breed Is My Dog?
What a cutie. I would guess some kind of terrier based on his fur, perhaps mixed with lab (those eyes)? Other than his coloring he looks a lot like a German Shepherd/Miniature Schnauzer we used to have - but his forhead eyes say lab to me. How big is he?
What Breed is My Dog?
He looks a lot like my Mason :) Mason is a boxer lab mix. Heres some pics on ThriftyFun (http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83817161.tip.html) I would say your dog has lab for sure. Hes certainly adorable!
Removing Dog Urine Stain on Carpet?
My friends husband is a professional carpet cleaner and I actually just asked him about this last week. He strongly recommends a product by BioKleen called Bac Out for pet and kid stains. Its natural, safe around children and pets (even birds), and doesnt leave...
Decorated Storage Jar
LOL! Both my husband and I thought this was a picture of a real dog in a jar at first glance - a sure sign of great workmanship :) How do you get the calendar picture to go on so smoothly?
Smoke Alarm Going Off?
All smoke detectors are supposed to be replaced about every 8-10 years, so youre due. New smoke detectors run about $5-$20, so its not too bad, even for 3. Im sure the fire department has a program to help if needed. Some smoke detectors do take a 9-volt battery...
Alternative to Paper Towels
For anyone that uses cloth to collect grease or oils, I would recommend that the cloth not go into the dryer - even after its been washed. I drain grease into an empty can so it doesnt solidify in my drains and clog them. I keep the can of grease in the freezer...
Is My Dog a Mixed Breed?
Its hard to tell from just one photo, but he looks like a beautiful American Pit Bull Terrier (aka Staffordshire Terrier) to me.
Kitchen Paint Color Advice?
I painted my kitchen green and it looks really good with the dark brown cabinets and white appliances. I use aubergine (eggplant) and gold as accent colors. So, I bet green would look pretty with your backsplash. You do need to be careful with green though...
Removing Anti-reflective Coating on Glasses?
Im not sure you can remove the coating yourself without damaging the lenses. Have you contacted your optometrist for help? Mine has always been really good about fixing issues with my familys glasses and theres never been a charge (and my boys are ROUGH on...
What Breed is My Dog?
He looks just like a Llasa Apso with a haircut to me. You can see lots of pictures and breed information here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/Lhasa-Apso-Breed-Information-and-Photos.html What do you think?
Finding a Low Cost Vet?
Contact your local Humane Society. The website for our local Humane Society lists several clinics that provide emergency services. Contact the clinics to see if any can work with you to discount fee or offer payments. The Humane Society site also has contact...
What Breeds Are My Dogs?
Id say your guesses are spot on. What a beautiful, happy looking bunch you have :)
Finding a Vet Practice That Accepts Payments?
Contact your local Humane Societies. They usually have programs that help loving owners keep their pets. The website for my local humane society lists several clinics as well as some organizations that can help provide financial assistance to low income families...
What Breed is My Dog?
While his markings are similar,Burmese Mountain Dogs are in the 80-100 lb range and very heavy bodied, heavy coated - kinda like a smaller St. Bernard. I just dont see it. I would say definitely Catahoula Leopard Dog - especially with those piercing blue eyes...
Treating a Dog's Itchy Ears?
Sounds like a bad ear infection. You can try making ear drops by diluting apple cider vinegar, but ultimately I would recommend you go to the vet for an antibiotic ear wash, especially since the infection is established and is giving off heat. I wouldnt wait...
What Mix is My Puppy?
I would say definitely shepherd and probably boxer. From the picture, I dont see much husky, though with mixed breeds it can be really hard to guess. Those definitely look like boxer markings to me, though shepherds also have a black muzzle. I have a boxer...
Bathroom Paint Color Advice?
We had blue fixtures (with harvest gold counters!) before we gave our kids bathroom a facelift. I did white walls and a seashells/beach theme and it worked pretty well.
What Breed is My Dog?
He definitely has some terrier in him with that little beard. Maybe Jack Russel or Fox Terrier? He sure is cute!
Knowing When Cats are Playing Too Rough?
My two 3 year old kittens kick and lightly bite each other (and the dog) during play all the time - this is normal rough-housing. Cats usually play silently, but will make yowling and hissing noises when they fight (or, in my cranky older cats case, when the...
Fundraising Ideas for Student Run Charity?
Penny War Fundraisers can be really fun. Basically each grade or homeroom, has a bucket and you compete to see who can collect the most pennies/points. Large change counts against your total, so the fun is in trying to sabotage other teams by putting large...
A Healthy Path For Losing Weight
Stephanie here :) Thank you for the kind words, Jess. I am so happy we started our journey together! Youve achieved so much and its been great to have someone to split dinners and share recipes with :) I have something to add regarding activity: If youre looking...
Dog Keeps Jumping the Fence?
He is a very smart dog to have outsmarted the electric fence. If you havent already, it would be worth seeing if your landlord will work with you raise the fence a bit. I also recommend getting him neutered. Our local Humane Society website has links to several...
Dog Scared of Laminate Floor?
My large dog had a really hard time with laminate at the bottom of the stairs at my house. After he sled and fell a couple times, he would just stand on the stairs waiting for help getting down. We put an inexpensive door mat at the bottom of the stairs and...
12th Birthday Party Ideas?
My kids have a budget for their birthday parties. They purchase the cake, snacks, favors, and pay for the activities. This really helps keep the parties reasonable, especially since they get to keep any money thats left over. I think this teaches an important...
Pom Pom Christmas Ornament
Cute! My son asked if we could craft some Christmas Ornaments together. This one looks like winner :)
Plants Vs. Zombies Cake
I did do some checking before using the clay. It is non-toxic and made from plant-based ingredients. There are no package warnings other than a choking-hazard warning. It was also only on the cake for about 5 minutes. We set it up, put on the candles, then...
Dog Has Separation Anxiety and Chewing Problem?
We adopted a dog with severe separation anxiety, so Ive been there. Its awful to come home and find precious heirlooms destroyed. What worked for us was a combination of training and medication. We used a combination of a pheromone collar (sold over the counter...
Baked Snake
I made the snake again this year using spicy brown mustard, ham and swiss cheese for a more mellow flavor - I liked it even better! And surrounded him with sliced lettuce (grass) for a prettier presentation! Very popular with the potluck guests!
Authentic Salsa Recipe?
My family has been making this great canned homemade salsa for years. I think its just like the ones they serve at restaurants. You should give it a try: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67536397.tip.html
Invest in a Safe Edge Can Opener
I have one of these and love it too. Mine is Papered Chef brand and finally after 5 years it needs to be replaced. I love that the cutting blade doesnt come into contact with the contents of the can, and since the lids are not sharp they can be recycled or...
Banana Applesauce Bread (Or Muffins)
Theres no sugar. The bananas and applesauce give it plenty of sweetness.
Simple Pole Bean Trellis
This is much more attractive than any of my husbands bean trellis solutions. Ill suggest he do it this way next year for sure.
Tiling Between Counter and Window
Thanks! The window adds so much light into the kitchen. The only problem is that the cats love it as much as I do :)
What Breed is My Dog?
Along with Chow, I would think he has some sort of terrier in him (standard size schnauzer or poodle maybe). He has a terriers face.
Teaching a Pitbull Not to Bite?
I wouldnt risk it. The staff clearly thinks it is a bad idea for you to take this particular dog into your home since you have other pets and children - and after a year they know him well. You need to put your kids first. It may be that hes a sweet dog most...
Saving Money on School Clothing?
Thrift stores are great. You can also buy clothes online. My sister lives in rural Alaska (not even a gas station) and she has to get everything - including groceries - online. Amazon.com often has free shipping, even to rural areas. You can also ask other...
Child Won't Go to School After Being Bullied?
Id be afraid to go back to school if someone had pushed me down the stairs too! I would make sure the teacher knows whats going on - maybe you can get your daughters schoolwork temporarily until the problem child is dealt with. If you have a school counselor...
Encouraging Children to Get Rid of Extra Belongings?
I put a laundry basket in each of the kids rooms and tell them they must fill it with things to donate. I must admit that sometimes what ends up in there is stuff thats they had only because I was still attached to it - like my old stuffed animals or nice toys...
Homemade Caramel Corn
Im partial to yellow popcorn myself. Thats actually my turkey pan if you can believe it. Fits a 26 lb. turkey and not quite all the caramel corn. I need to go bigger :)
A Visiting Siamese Cat (Santa Barbara, CA)
What a beautiful cat! I used to have a Siamese, they are just wonderful.
Planning a 12th Birthday Slumber Party?
Absolutely! They dont care about the space and four girls wont get too noisy - youll be there to shush them if they do. You didnt say how old the other people are in the apartment, but if there are kids, perhaps they could stay at a friends house for the night...
Three Generations of Moses
You have a lovely looking family. How great that youll have these pictures to treasure for always.
My Dog Won't Eat?
Wait it out. Most likely, she will eat if shes hungry, and may be getting confused by the frequent food changes. I personally have a picky dog and found that he just likes to nibble little bits through the day rather than gobbling up everything in sight like...
Tex (St. Bernard/Pit Bull Mix)
Tex sounds like a wonderful (and beautiful) dog. Im very sorry to hear of the loss of your brother, and I hope its some comfort to know that he passed on with his best friend by his side. Im glad to hear that someone in your family was able to take Tex in. Tex...
Dog Chews Up Bedding When Left Home Alone?
You need to talk to your vet and a dog trainer. If money is an issue, the trainers at PetSmart will give a free consult. Tearing blankets when youre not home on its own sounds like it could be separation anxiety. Tearing blankets is a comforting technique. Thats...
Dog Has Black Smelly Tar in His Ear?
My dog had that. Its an ear infection, probably a yeast infection. I got an ear solution from the vet that cleared it right up. Since then, Ive seen lots of posts on ThriftyFun from people whove had success with homemade ear washes using vinegar or womens yeast...
Is Broccoli Good Or Bad For Dogs?
Ive never had a problem with broccoli other than noxious dog gas. Most premium dog foods include vegetables. My vet said that vegetables and leftover stew were great for dogs.
Bunny Losing His Fur?
My husband (who bred and showed Mini-Rex Rabbits with 4H all through high school) says that he suspects fur mites with missing patches of fur between the ears, and no other rabbits. He was told at a conference that Vaseline is good to kill the mites followed...
Dog Chewing on Shoes?
Sometimes dogs with separation anxiety will chew on things that smell like you (with Mason it was our bedding, and he can open door knobs). If shutting your shoes in the closet isnt an option, try making them taste bad. We have some no-scratch stuff we use...
Selecting a Good Watermelon
The watermelon farmer at the Farmers Market told me to thump them too. If you feel the vibration on the other side of the watermelon its a good one. If you dont itll probably be mealy. He also said to be super careful not to drop the melon or bang it around...
Dog Has Diarrhea After Swimming in the Ocean?
Depends on where you live. I live in the Pacific Northwest, and a few years ago, my dog got Salmon poisoning at the river near the coast. Apparently there is a bacteria that lives on a parasite that lives on the fish. If your dog ingests the bacteria, it can...
Goldfish Keeps Having Babies?
This looks like a Sunset Platy to me. Both Platies and Mollie are live bearers and are often pregnant when you get them from the pet store. Females can hold sperm for 6-8 months before giving birth. They tend to have them in several small litters to increase...
Warning: Anti-Virus Pop Up Advertisements
There are a lot of viruses that pop up these virus warning alerts as a way of tricking you into installing them. They are very hard to get rid of (my son helpfully clicked on one of these messages and installed it, we had to reformat). Be sure you know what...
Fireworks at Fort Vancouver
Great photos. We definitely need to take the kids up to see the fort. They think they have it so hard with their chores. If only they knew.
Gabby (Boxer)
Maybe Im biased (I have a Boxer mix), but Gabby sounds like a fabulous companion. How great that she is being trained as an service dog to help you.
Karma and Numi (Cats)
Numi sounds like my kittens. Mario likes to wake us up by attacking the mini-blinds, and they both practice their collectible weaving like theyre hoping to go pro. :)
Rugs on Smooth Floors for Dogs
Our house has carpeted stairs that go down onto a Pergo floor. As our Newfoundland aged he would have trouble getting his footing as he stepped down off the stairs. We found that a non-skid rug at the bottom of the stairs worked great!
Remedies for an Anxious Dog?
First, since this sounds like a fear issue and not a possible medical condition, I would recommend you see if a pet store in your area has a dog trainer on-site (although you should have the vet rule a medical condition out). Most PetCo and PetSmart stores...
Repairing Versus Replacing Appliances?
Our 12 year old washing machine recently broke - it stopped spinning. When we had it repaired several years ago, the repair man had showed me the $14 part that had broken and said that it commonly breaks (of course labor was over $100). I decided to check online...
What Breed is My Dog?
I have a friend whose dog looks exactly like yours. They paid the $60 for a DNA test, because they were getting a lot of hassle about their dog possibly being a Pit Bull. The results came back 50% Boxer, 50% Greyhound. I dont think very many breeds have brindle...
Can Clothes Effect a Dog's Behavior?
Ana, They make a product called Thunder Vests that can help calm dogs during stressful times (like thunder storms). My vet recommended one as an option for my dog who freaks out on the 4th of July. Maybe clothes calm your dog the same way.
How Do I Train My Cat Not to Sleep on My Head?
Thanks all. I had the best success putting my head on top of her when she tried to sleep on my head - only took a couple tries. Shes still a pest at night, but at least Izzy isnt sleeping on my head anymore.
Sambo (Iguana)
Wow, he is big. Is Sambo the iguana in your tattoo? I bet an iguana a good alternative for someone with pet allergies. How do you house train a reptile?
