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...
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...
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?
Scenery: Snowed In
Wow! That is a lot of snow. Two inches is enough to cause panic in the Pacific Northwest where I live. I cant imagine!
Healthy Coconut Cream Pie
I didnt try any substitutions, because between the amount of work involved and the special occasion, I didnt want to risk screwing it up. :) Honestly this did turn out better than any other coconut cream pie Ive tried. Regarding the substitution ideas, the...
How Can I Stop My Dog From Chewing On Blankets?
My dog does the same thing, and only when were not home (the last remaining sign of separation anxiety). We have baskets under the TV where we put all our lap blankets when were not using them and I shut all the bedroom doors when we leave so he cant get to...
Saturday Snow Day
I love this! Last year for Mothers Day I said I wanted a Family Pajama Day and we did just this. I got all my chores and laundry done on Saturday and on Sunday we did nothing!. I played video games with my boys and watched Perry Mason with my daughter (something...
Tiny Flying Insects in the House?
Im not sure what kind of bugs those are but I found the apple cider vinegar trick worked when we had a gnat infestation. Maybe that would work for you. Place a cup of apple cider vinegar near where the bugs are (a few drops of soap in the vinegar helps). Dump...
11th Birthday Party Ideas?
My daughter is also 11. I wouldnt think a murder mystery party would be too violent - especially if you used a kit. You could also come up with a clue hunt based on the Clue board game. Since its based off a board game theyve probably all played and no one...
Can I Leave an Intex Above Ground Pool Out Year Round?
We have had an Intex metal frame above ground pool for about 7 years (were on our second one). The guy at the pool and spa shop where we get our chemicals told us you can winterize it and leave it up for the winter - however, we usually find that when the fall...
Dog Has Become Aggressive With Owner?
Be really careful. I was in this situation. We adopted a great dog who was fear aggressive. He was fine with us but would get scared and nippy around noisy children (even though I had children) and strangers. I did a lot of work to socialize him, but eventually...
Willy (Border Collie)
What a cutie! Arent dogs funny about the squirrels? I grew up in a heavily wooded yard in the middle of a residental area. Our dog would drive us (and the neighbors) crazy trying to keep all the birds and squirrels out of the yard. The jays used to rile him...
Removing Chocolate Milk Stains From Carpet?
You can try oxyclean (test a small area in the back of a closet or something first just in case). My son spilled chocolate milk all over my white jeans when we were on an airplane and I couldnt even rinse them for several hours - I looked like a cow :). I tried...
Shopping for Cat Collars That Stay On?
Ive seen some other safe alternatives to the break-aways at the store (like stretchy elastic collars). I was also wondering if it was maybe the brand. Does anyone have a type/brand that works best for their Houdini cat?
Shopping for Cat Collars That Stay On?
There is one store in the area that sells the Beastie Bands and it is only a couple blocks from one of the train stops on my way home from work. Im going to give them a try. Thanks for the recommendation!
Madame, Spot, and Pugsley (Cats)
LOL! We also have three cats and my husband often ends up with them all in his lap as well. The picture of Puglsey is priceless! I love how he has his paws stretched out. He looks so comfortable. :)
What Breed is My Dog?
Hes definitely a terrier of some sort. We had miniature schnauzers growing up and he looks a lot like they did when they were puppies. My parents never had their ears done, so they were floppy like Totos, but the tails were always shortened before we got them...
Monster (Pit Bull)
Monster is adorable! What a great picture. I did want to warn you to be careful if youre using that choke chain as a collar as there have been many dogs who have been choked to death when they catch on something (plus they tend to encourage pit bulls to pull...
Helping a Puppy Going Through Separation Anxiety?
My dog had separation anxiety (the tear and destroy type) when I adopted him. I spent a lot of time at the vet and dog trainers figuring out how to deal with it. This is what they recommended: 1) Try a Dog Appeasement Pheromone (DAP) collar (they have them...
Sanitizing Wipes for Cleaning Books
I volunteered at the library and this is how they clean the grime off of the hard cover library books. The childrens books get pretty nasty! Wed hit books that had obvious gunk on them as they came in and a couple times a year theyd have voluteer days and run...
Adult Pads as Alternative to "Puppy Pads"
Great idea! My sister taught me that these are also great for when your young child needs to spend the night at someone elses house. Since most people dont have waterproof mattress pads on their guest bed or couch, you can sleep one of these right under the...
Feeding a Family of Four on $400 a Month?
I feed a family of 5 on around $450 a month. We enjoy a rich, healthy, varied diet. I shop at WinCo (similar to CubFoods and Food4Less) and get a few things at Costco. The trick is planning. Each week I make a menu and we stick to it. We cook all of our meals...
Shopping for Clip-on Stirrups to Keep Pants Inside Boots?
I think I found them: http://www.jeanstraps.com/ -or- http://www.prairiemoondesigns.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=77
Sleepover Birthday Party Ideas for Boys?
My son turned 9 on the 28th and is having a slumber party this weekend. Hes inviting a couple boys over and were taking them to the 7pm session at the local roller rink to wear them out ($4 a kid w/ coupon), well do cake at home first so we dont have to pay...
My Frugal Life: A Winter Miracle
Thank you for sharing such a touching warm fuzzy! I love how something that was a manageable gesture on each persons part, made such a huge impact on this ladies life. Reminds us all that the little things we can do really do make a big difference.
Doodlebug (Cat)
We used to have an old style Siamese cat that looked a lot like Doodlebug. He was the friendliest cat Ive ever met and beautiful to boot. He didnt have the eerie cry, but he sure talked a lot, especially if he thought his food bowl was too close to empty. Thanks...
Remembering to Rotate Your Mattress
Thanks for this idea. Ive always had a hard time remembering when I last flipped the mattress or what I should do with it. I think your tip will be a great way to keep track of what I need to do when.
In Memory Of Candy (Black Lab)
My lab/boxer mix can open doors too! He can open both round door knobs (in or out) and opens the coat closet accordion door every time he is left home alone. Looks like Candy did a number on your door (my bedroom door looks much the same). They really worm...
Cleaning Your Blender
I learned this trick in High School Home Ec. Its easy and works great for getting all the stuff that usually ends up dried on the inside of the blender. I do take the blender apart periodically to make sure the washer and all are really clean though.
Boomer (Bernese Mountain Dog - Great Pyrenees)
Big dogs are great and boomer is a cutie! I used to have a Newfoundland mix, another extra large fuzzy dog. They stay cuddly their whole lives and I always felt safe out walking with my gentle giant. By the way, the best way I found to keep the fur bunnies...
How Can I Alter a Blouse To Make It Larger?
You might be able to add solid color cuffs and either border a large square of the back or add side panels to make the blouse larger. Black would set off most oriental fabrics. You could also keep the front and use a solid color for the back. My aunt is an...
Thanksgiving Turkeys
This is a lovely photo. It is beautiful artistically and these turkeys appear to be healthy. Raising a Turkey over 31 pounds is a big achievement and a testament to the care with which they were raised. Why shouldnt someone take pride in raising healthy livestock...
Dog Names?
You might get better suggestions if you can tell us whether this dog is a male or female and what breed. A photo would be great (everyone loves puppy photos!) I have a boxer/lab mix named Mason and I think the name fits him well. Lol, yes, think about what...
Rescue Dog Still Acts Frightened a Year Later?
From what you described, she was probably kept in a kennel with no human contact or new experiences so everything is frightening. Keep doing what youre doing and loving her. She may always be a nervous dog, but as long as you dont push her, shell feel safe...
Mount a Spice Rack on the Wall
It did take some searching to find the right ones. I got these racks at Storables. They came with the bottles. You can find spice racks designed for the wall elsewhere, but they dont hold very many bottles. I needed something that could hold 36 bottles without...
Scratch and Dent Appliance Stores?
Im not sure if they still do it, but you used to be able to get used/returned appliances at Sears back in the mid-90s. The refrigerator I got was scratched, but about half the new price and in great working order.
Jack-O'-Lantern Pot Pie
After reading this tip, I tried the jack-o-lantern idea with my chicken pot pie recipe. Heres a picture so you can get an idea of what it looks like. It was even more adorable in person. I forgot to do the second egg wash when adding the cheese, so it wasnt...
Halloween Costume: Cheerios and Milk
Very creative and adorable, not to mention thrifty! Good call on the plastic bags. I spent hours making a cardboard car costume one year when I was a child and was very disappointed when the rain destroyed it by the time Id gotten to the end of the street. I...
Removing Bleach Smell from a Mattress?
A professional carpet cleaning business can also clean mattresses, furniture, and car upholstery. If you have the funds, a professional will know best how to clean your mattress. The guy I had come out to clean up after a massive dog incident had a minimum...
Bookstore Shopping Trip as Gift
That really is a great idea. The gift of time, really is the most important gift you can give.
Store Tissues In Baby Wipe Container
Brilliant! I actually have a container of wipes in the car because I was sick of the crushed tissue box, but Ive been unhappy with the solution because it feels so yucky to wipe ones nose with a wet wipe! It never occurred to me that I could just put the tissues...
Ideas for Activities at a Rehabilitation Facility?
What about offering classes like computer classes, basic Spanish, or a regional cooking class? Since these are useful skills they might be more interesting than crafts and such. Local businesses may be willing to donate old computers. Book Clubs are pretty...
