The Secret Lies of Pets
Pets are members of the family and, like any family member, they can cause quite a mess. (The pets don’t lie, but their clutter sure does, and suddenly you realize you have quite a mess.)
Working in people’s homes means working in their pets’ homes - and I’ve met a lot of pets. Just like your kids or spouse/partner, your dog or cat (or tarantula) seems to accumulate a lot of stuff, and when I say a lot of stuff, I don’t just mean food and treats. I’m talking about wardrobes and costumes as well as a huge amount of new toys and old toys that seem to all get saved until your cabinet runneth over.
At OFab, when we work with people who have pets, we take them into account so that we can create a space just for them. So, where is the best spot in your house for “Spot” (or “Mr. Fluffy Pants”)?
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Does your pet need its own bed in every room?
So, you have 1 to 4 pets (or more). I bet those pets like to steal each other’s beds (and yours!), so how many beds are really necessary?
The truth is that you only need maybe one bed in a living room space and one in a bedroom, but not for each animal.
Do you need multiple spaces for each animal? The answer is no, you do not. But if you have the extra room, fabulous, but most people don’t.
2. How many toys do 1-5 pets need?
I’ll be honest, my dog has a giant bin full of toys and she pulls each of them outside as she feels necessary. Last time, we counted 19 and there was still a full bin inside.
Realistically, the answer is 4-5 toys - a chew toy, a squeaky toy, a cuddle toy etc. It’s just like anything else, whether it’s you or spouse/partner or your kids.
We always ask, can we limit the things that bring us joy? Well, do you really need 15 hair products and do you have room for them all? (I will not be answering this question, personally.)
3. Where is the best place in the home for all of your pets’ belongings?
One cabinet in the kitchen, laundry room or wherever you enter and exit your house.
If you have a dog, obviously there should be hooks nearby for leashes etc, but all the rest of their things should be in one cabinet. Try to limit it to one shelf - treats, toys, clothing and medicine should all be located in one place.
Also, if you have little ones, consider placing that shelf (especially if there are meds) out of their reach
Be reasonable in what you keep. We understand that grandmas will buy their granddogs more than they actually need. Do yourself a favor and take a picture of their gifts to send to grandma (so she knows you loved the thought) and then edit the accumulated toys.
If you think that your pets have too much stuff, then they do. Pay it forward - there are plenty of shelters that need second hand or gently used pet items. Because really, the pets don’t have a problem with having too much stuff, you do.
