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Guest Post: House For Sale, Pets Not Included
In this post, Melinda Bartling, realtor with Keller-Williams, gives some tips on what to do with your pets when trying to sell your home.
Pets can be a dilemma when selling your home. Approximately 63% of the population
owns a pet, but the 37% that don’t own a pet oftentimes won’t buy a house that has one.
Some reasons why a prospective buyer might prefer to look at pet free homes include:
- Allergies
- Fear of dogs
- Thinks the house will be dirty
- Fear pet stains or odors might be hidden
If your home is on the market and you have a cat, put a note on the front door above the lock that there is a cat in the house. The note will help agents remember to close the door behind them.
If you have a dog that will be at home, it should be crated during showings. Allowing the dog to be in the laundry room with a baby gate may be a problem if a potential buyer wants to view that room.
Pets can be very territorial around strangers and may hiss, bark or bite prospective buyers or realtors showing your home. In one case, a seller’s dog was barking in the backyard, preventing people from going out there. They didn’t sell their house.
Another story involves the sellers who said the cat can go “in or out.” The cat was lurking at the front door and ran in when the door opened. The problem..it wasn’t the seller’s cat and did some major damage to the house after being locked up all day.
Pets are members of the family, but when trying to sell your home, take care that they don’t scare away a potential buyer.
Melinda Bartling is a realtor with Keller-Williams here in the Kansas City area. To contact Melinda, go to www.melindabartling.com
Hail To the Chief!
This President’s Day, I thought it would be fun to share some Presidential pet facts:
- John Quincy Adams’ pet of choice was silkworms.
- Theodore Roosevelt ‘s Bull Terrier Pete almost caused an international scandal when he ripped the pants off the French Ambassador, Jules Jusserand.
- Woodrow Wilson’s tobacco-chewing ram Old Ike was one of the last farm animals to live at the White House. Others included Benjamin Harrison’s goat, Old Whiskers, his cow, Sukey, Taft’s cow Paulie Wayne, and Zachary Taylor’s horse, Old Whitey.
- President Warren G. Harding had an Airedale Terrier named Laddie Boy who used to sit in on cabinet meetings.
- The FDR Memorial in Washington DC includes a statue of his beloved Scottish Terrier Fala.
- Abraham Lincoln was the first president to bring a cat to the White House.
- Rutherford B. Hayes was given the first Siamese cat in the U.S. as a gift from the American Consul in Bangkok.
Your Smile Is Blinding!
Bolt, Yorkie-Poo guest columnist: Hey! I finally had my teeth cleaned the other day. My vet strongly recommends this, especially for us smaller breeds, as we tend to have more problems with our teeth and gums. I am here to tell you from first-hand experience that it was easy and that I feel great! Now, my humans don’t say, “Ewww….Bolty Boy….your breath stinks!” I feel happy, confident, and ready to take the world by storm!
I am just so grateful that my humans did this for me, as it makes me feel better and it is helpful in preventing gum disease and other diseases that could result from bacteria getting into my bloodstream from my mouth. Plus, if this aspect of pet care is neglected, your poor pooch may have to face some serious tooth extractions. Not a road I would advise going down. You do want to still enjoy your treats, right?
Like I said…at the risk of sounding pompous, I look amazing! I am ready to put up my profile pictures on a dating site now!
Funny Pet Picture of the Week
In this picture, a little dog sleeps with his little dog toy….
Picture from DailyCute.net
Keeping Coyotes At Bay
From time to time in this area, we’ve had cases of coyotes attacking small dogs. If you’ve had coyote sightings or attacks in your neighborhood, here are some tips to keep them away:
- If you have a fence, or are thinking of installing one, look at ones that are 6 feet or higher with a roll bar on top.
- Don’t leave small dogs unattended outside in the dark, even for a potty break.
- Install motion activated outdoor lighting, the light will startle coyotes that may enter your yard.
- Trim shrubbery so coyotes won’t have a place to hide.
- If you have outdoor water dishes for your dog, empty them once your dog has come inside for the night.
- Remove sources of food such as fallen fruits, berries or bird seed that may have fallen from the feeder.
Your Dog, February 2012, was used as reference for this post
Is Doggie Day Care Right For Your Dog?
I sometimes receive calls from pet owners inquiring about the services we provide at Joy of Living. As caring pet owners, they’re looking for the best solution for their dog while they’re at work or on vacation.
Although doggie day care is a good solution for some dogs, it isn’t the best fit for all. If your dog is active, well socialized and on the younger side, day care could be a good option.
Once you’ve determined day care is the way to go, here are some questions to ask doggie day care providers prior to signing your dog up:
How is the facility set up?
- Are dogs separated by size? Do dogs have constant access to bathroom break areas? Is the facility clean?
Are all prospective clients accepted?
- Is there a “trial” period to ensure the new dog will get along with others?
Is medical help readily available?
- In the event a dog is injured or becomes ill, is there a vet on call? Have day care employees been trained in pet first aid and CPR?
How big are the playgroups?
- At a minimum, there should be one trained employee for every 15 dogs. One employee per 10 dogs would be preferable.
How are new dogs introduced?
- Be sure there’s a method in place to appropriately introduce new dogs to the existing “pack”. Avoid any facility that states they just put all the dogs together, they’ll be fine.
The Bark magazine, Jan/Feb 2012 issue was a reference for this post
Seeing Eye Dog Day
Today is Seeing Eye Dog Day, coinciding with the 83rd anniversary of The Seeing Eye, the largest organization for training of guide dogs for the visually impaired.
Twelve times a year, visitors from the US and Canada come to the Seeing Eye campus to become familiar with the program and see the benefits of a having a guide dog. Once in the program, students spend a month training with a dog.
More than 15,000 specially bred and trained dogs have brought mobility, safety, and self-sufficiency to over 8,000 visually impaired men and women.
The Seeing Eye was formed in 1928 by Morris Frank. He’d read an article about dogs being trained as guides for blinded veterans of World War I. Being blind and frustrated by his own lack of mobility, he wrote its author for help.
Dorothy Harrison Eustis trained German shepherd dogs in Switzerland, and when she received Morris Frank’s letter, she agreed to help him. He promised he would return to the United States and spread the word about these wonderful dogs. In 1928, Frank demonstrated the ability of his dog Buddy for news reporters. His one-word telegram to Mrs. Eustis told the entire story … “Success.” The Seeing Eye was born, with the dream of making the entire world accessible to people who are blind.
For more information on The Seeing Eye Program, go to seeingeye.org
Fun At Work Day
Today is Fun At Work Day, and I filmed client Rylee this morning enjoying his pets as evidenced by his “chop talk”.
It’s easy to have fun at work with clients like Rylee!
When the Cat Needs Ear Plugs!
Marty Party, the inquisitive cat with the inquiry of the day: WHY DO DOGS NEED SQUEAKY TOYS? It drives me crazy. All I want to do is rest under the window in the embrace of the warm rays from the sun, when out of nowhere comes this irritating squeaky noise. I thought I had destroyed that thing! But, no! Little doggie has a squeaky toy! Fun, fun! For HER!
One theory as to why dogs like such annoying toys is simply due to the nature of the squeak. Evidently, in the wild, an injured prey anmial makes similar sounds and cries, and in doing so reveals its position and condition. (I’ve got GPS…what do I care?) Dogs with those strong natural hunting instincts recognize those replicated sounds in a squeaky toy and are supposedly satisfied with it. Makes them feel like they’ve conquered a few field mice, birds or other small prey. (Note to self: Remain bigger than the family dog!)
Of course, it could just be that dogs love an interactive toy that satisfies their innate desire to chew and gnaw, keeping their minds occupied. Thank you, but I prefer the crossword puzzles in the New York Times. No squeaks. Speaking of which, what’s a six letter word that rhymes with “You’re mine?” That’s right…canine, and that dog is MINE! You hear that, Jessie? I rule! You drool!
Thanks to wisegeek.com for keeping me pleasantly informed and slightly above the family dog!
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