I'm in Chicago for 3 days of workshops on cats - cat health, happiness, and well-being; cat behavior, and disease; and public perceptions of and attitudes towards cats. We've come from shelters, rescue groups, TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs, and low-cost spay/neuter clinics. We collectively represent 47 states, 3 Canadian provinces, and have traveled from as far away as Alaska and Hawaii to be here. Why? Because we're all committed to improving the lives of cats in our communities.
Naturally, I'm missing my own 4 cats and 6 dogs, who are at home with my sweet wife in our bomb site of a house. I'm also feeling more than a little guilty that while she's there dealing with unhandy handymen and living in a demolition zone, I'm in a luxurious hotel room with fresh white sheets, a fluffy down comforter, and nary a pet hair in sight.
I'm pretty sure this hotel isn't pet-friendly. At this point neither is our house - it's not even people-friendly, for that matter! In a few days it will be on the market, and the hunt for our next pet-friendly home will begin in earnest.
For most people pet-friendly decor means wipeable surfaces, stain-resistant, washable fabrics, and patterns that camouflage pet hair. Slipcovers protect upholstery from muddy paws, and can be tossed in the wash; a washable throw across the end of the sofa where kitty always sleeps serves the same purpose. A stain on the carpet that won't come up can be dealt with easily if you use carpet squares instead of wall-to-wall.
For some people, pet-friendly goes way beyond that...scroll down, you'll see:
photos: 1) countryliving.com, 2) potterybarn.com, 3) fineliving.com, 4, 8) hgtv.com, 5, 6) apartmenttherapy.com, 7) dornob.com, 9) thecatshouse.com
"Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." ~ George Elliot
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