I talk to the owners of a lot of amputee dogs at work. Kind of gets you thinking...

The sun is out, and you are planning to spend a few of your vacation days getting some work done in the yard. Great! Now, go get your weed killers, your pesticides and other yard chemicals… and take them straight to your local Disposal of Toxics facility. This year it’s time for something different.

First, if you are absolutely convinced that yards must be maintained with chemicals, if you simply can’t imagine a yard without them, then please, pause to consider your commitment to chemical yard management. Why are you so convinced? Is that really the only way?

The choice is yours, but again, please pause to consider your pet, which cannot make those choices on its own behalf; it depends on you to look out for its health and well-being, and it must live in the environment you create.

Consider what may get on your pet’s feet or in its mouth, and the possible long-term effects of that exposure. Ask yourself if a greener lawn or weedless garden beds are really worth any risk to your pet’s health. It is something worth thinking about. And, those of you with small children may have more than just your pet’s paws to consider.

[Corky/Max]

I agree with you completely!! My yard has never had any chemicals on it! And I could have it done for nothing--My son works for a lawn care company!

[sandyh]

lawn chemicals? Heck I can barely afford to get someone to come and cut it since i no longer can and it only costs me 25.00.
One other thing you might want to watch out for is the salt you throw down on your stairs in the winter time(for all those that have to endear cold weather). My daughter put salt out on her stairs last winter and both her dogs went out to go to the bathroom a couple of times during the night and she noticed they were limping, so she picked up their paws to see if something was stuck on them and found that the salt was eating away at their pads and they were getting bloody.

I personally never use salt for the sidewalks or stairs, i use Iodized table salt. It melts just as quick if not quicker and it doesn't leave a mess on your floor. It also doesn't seem to bother the dogs as i put it down at sun up and it has dissipated by that afternoon. oh by the way, it is cheaper also.

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by sandyh

lawn chemicals? Heck I can barely afford to get someone to come and cut it since i no longer can and it only costs me 25.00.
One other thing you might want to watch out for is the salt you throw down on your stairs in the winter time(for all those that have to endear cold weather). My daughter put salt out on her stairs last winter and both her dogs went out to go to the bathroom a couple of times during the night and she noticed they were limping, so she picked up their paws to see if something was stuck on them and found that the salt was eating away at their pads and they were getting bloody.

I personally never use salt for the sidewalks or stairs, i use Iodized table salt. It melts just as quick if not quicker and it doesn't leave a mess on your floor. It also doesn't seem to bother the dogs as i put it down at sun up and it has dissipated by that afternoon. oh by the way, it is cheaper also.

Another good thing! I don't even use anything on my back yard steps, lol, and I (like you) have those Wisconsin winters too! Have no steps to worry about in front--come through garage to the kitchen door. I
just get out the old ice chopper and a snow shovel for the back steps and a chisel for the lattice topped ramp (for the dogs and their doggie door entrance)

[HipPocket]

We have an area of shingle out the front of our house that we use to park my partners vehicle. The weeds are starting to come thru but the only thing stopping me from spraying it is the fact my 3 furbabies walk on it with their little bare feet!
Any suggestions? It's got away on me a bit....but I'd rather have weeds than sick furbabies.

[Lara's mom]

My building stopped using pesticides several years ago. The lawn doesn't look "picture perfect" but, it's safe for pets and kids to play on and this year, we've planted a huge community garden!

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

My building stopped using pesticides several years ago. The lawn doesn't look "picture perfect" but, it's safe for pets and kids to play on and this year, we've planted a huge community garden!

That is all such a good thing. A lot more communities should be planting these gardens---Esp. the way the economy is today, plus it is a healthy thing to do, not only for the good natural vegs. but good healthy exercise involved. You also get to communicate with a lot of same interest people and may make a few good friends in the process. Gardening can actually be a good outlet for getting rid of stress--Putting your hands to work instead of your head too much worrying about your troubles. And hopefully a lot of fresh clean air! (Lol, Do I sound like a commercial or what!--Hey people, just want you to know, I'm not selling anything like a couple other greedy people in here lately).

[Lara's mom]

We sell the produce from our garden for about 1/3 of what it costs in the stores - it is fresh picked and delicious!!! The money we collect goes into buying seeds, plants, etc., for next years garden.

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

We sell the produce from our garden for about 1/3 of what it costs in the stores - it is fresh picked and delicious!!! The money we collect goes into buying seeds, plants, etc., for next years garden.

More great ideas!!! Way to go!!:mrgreen:

I plant a garden for mainly to feed my 2 dogs some fresh healthy veggies. Corky loves asparagus, pea pods, and green beans! Stands next to garden fence waiting for me to throw him some. It is more like a treat because veggies need to be ground very fine for a dog to be able to get the healthy nutrients.
And then he is right at the kitchen door when I come in house with the plastic bag full of veggies--grabbing what he can out of the bag before I get it put down where he can't reach it. I grind combos of vegs and put in freezer to use in their raw food diet. (lol, I sure am chatty today---was going to go into town and get some groc, etc--but guess I will wait till tomorrow morning--like to go early!)

[Lara's mom]

My girls love veggies too! They were raised thinking they were treats!!! (LOL)