Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868

8/25 Full Circle: Deb Darr

Question: With the recent extreme hot weather, I notice many of our pets and livestock seem to be looking for shade to help cool down. Do you have any suggestions for the livestock and my domestic pets that could help?

Answer: Nothing is more uncomforting than to actually see chickens, dogs and even cats panting during the hot weather. Here are a few ideas that might help your pets.

* For livestock, spray down the tops of the pens with water. This action will actually drop the temperatures in the areas where the animals come to eat. Next, spray the ground or the floors of the pens with water, thus cooling down the area they stand on. I have seen horses actually lay down on water-cooled cement floors.

* Do the same thing with dog or cat areas. In extreme heat you can wet a wash cloth or towel with cool water and drape it over your dogs' back and tuck the edge under their collar.

* For rabbits, freeze water in milk jugs and place them in cages. Rabbits will lay next to the cool plastic to cool down. Just remember to remove the jug once the water thaws.

* Check water temperatures in troughs to make sure the water isn't hot because it can get that way on hot days. It may help to even save the life of the animals depending on you for their well-being.

Question: I have been trying to save energy and we added a clothes line to our home. We have noticed a savings on our power bill, which is wonderful. Since we always use a biodegradable laundry soap without any fragrances, I have noticed an "off odor" with the bath linens once the articles get wet. Is there anything we can do about this?

Answer: Good for you that you're hanging up your laundry, airing those "dirtier clean linens," as it were. Yes, you can do something about that off odor of bath linens. Just fill the fabric softener holder in your washing machine with white vinegar. You will notice a big difference.

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