Now, that's practical!

I love our two dogs. They are so much fun to have around, to play with, and cuddle. They really do provide great companionship, but as I was surfing the net today, I came across a great question:

What advice do you give to people who live with animals ‑- particularly, dogs? I'm looking for advice on flooring and furniture options that don't attract dog hair, etc.

I about fell over in my chair with laughter...flooring and furniture without the dog hair? RIIIIIIIIGHT. LOL!!!

Our dogs shed all year round, and not just a little bit. Let me put it this way...the dog on the bottle for a vitamin supplement called SHED STOP is a CORGI. We have 2.

But since this was a type of "Ask the Experts" Column, I read it, and was a bit impressed with the answer. My wife and I already do a few of these things, but there's always room for improvement.

Sharing your home with a canine companion has its ups and downs. While the love, loyalty and affection are so rewarding, clusters of dog hair and dried drool have a tendency to diminish the elegance of a chair. To answer your question, I asked a dedicated bunch of designers ‑- and pet lovers ‑- for their suggestions for pet-friendly home-furnishing products.

Performance fabrics, formerly the domain of outdoor fabric houses, have come indoors. Crypton Super Fabrics (www.cryptonfabric.com) is one good example. The brainchild of two dog-loving entrepreneurs, Crypton offers a range of fabrics from washable twills to suede.

Designer Annie Selke of Pine Cone Hill Linens (www.pineconehill.com) is enthusiastic about Sunbrella Fabrics' range of stain-resistant fabrics (www.sunbrella.com) for her slipcovers and upholstery. Waverly's Sun-N-Shade collection (www.waverly.com) is another group that caters to the demand for high durability and easy care.

Carpeting is another complicated issue when you live with dogs. Some like to coordinate the colors of their carpets with the colors of their dogs so that the dog hair isn't as noticeable.

Although hardwood floors and tile may be easier to maintain, with a little common sense, a reliable vacuum cleaner and an arsenal of stain remover and deodorizer, you can live with both your carpeting and your pets.

Consider keeping a paw towel by the door to wipe your dogs' paws when they come back from exploring. You can also try Oreck's dry powder and spray-on treatment. Maybe try keeping Nature's Miracle within reach. Bissell (www.bissell.com) also makes a line of stain- and odor-removing products, and Febreze Fabric Refresher (www.febreze.com) is safe for use around pets.

Last, to keep the bed free of dog hair, spread a throw on top that can be quickly washed or changed.

Just as with a new baby, safety-proofing your home for a pet is an important step in decorating. You can learn about pet-proofing at www.americanhumane.org, but a good place to start is by taking breakable objects off of tabletops and low-lying shelves, removing poisonous plants, locking up chemicals and organizing wires and cables. It's also a good idea to install locks on low cabinets and add baby gates to any off-limits areas. Plus, chew toys and quality pet beds make great alternatives to your chair legs and fine upholstery.

Good luck!

Hope these quick and simple tips have helped you think about something you haven't tried before. As for my household and the dog hair that we have...I think I just need to make sure our vacuum cleaner is empty for a daily pickup. :) It's not so bad when you look into the dogs' sweet eyes, and know that you are loved.

CH

(Source: Lifestyle.msn.com --Picture: Dennis Cope; Johnson City, TN)