R.I.P. Buffy-Marie

Our precious Buffy-Marie dei Dohse passed away on Friday, October 18^th 2013. She lived a good long life – she would have turned twelve on December 8^th. We miss her so much and cherish all the fond memories we have of her. We’re so thankful to have been able to care for her all these years. I will miss how she would bark at the T.V. when there was any kind of a conflict on, like a wrestling match. She was very playful and sometimes she would jump up and try to push you from behind if you weren’t paying attention. Rest in peace, Buffy. 

(The photo was taken in May 2012)

Dobermans Dash to Danger

Read this incredible story of two Dobermans who sensed a car crash a mile away from where they were being walked by their owners.

Homemade Tick Spray

It’s flea and tick season again – UGH!

A co-worker some years ago told me about a tick spray you can make yourself and then spray it on your yard. I wanted to know if anyone else has heard of this and if they have tried it, and how it works for them. I make a batch every year and spray it on the plants in the yard and it seems to do a good job of keeping the ticks away. Apparently the tobacco in it gives them the runs so badly that they die.

Here’s the recipe:

Take the foot of an old pair of pantyhose and fill it with the contents of a container of chewing tobacco. Make it like a tea bag, sort of. Put into a container of water. I like to use an empty plastic container that kitty litter comes in. Hold on to the open end of the pantyhose as you lower the tobacco teabag into the water, so it doesn’t fall in. Twist the lid onto the container with the pantyhose. This will keep the pantyhose from falling all the way into the container.

Let this “tea” steep outdoors in the hot sun and let it ferment and get all nasty and gross. I set it out for a couple of weeks at least.

Pour the mixture through a strainer and into a hand-held pressurized pump sprayer which you can get at your local home improvement store. I use either a 1 or 3-gallon bottle. Add some dish detergent. This helps the tobacco tea mixture stick to the leaves. Also, add some mouthwash. If I remember correctly, this is what lures the ticks in to the mixture.

Spray on your yard. I don’t recall the frequency of how often this has to be done. I have been doing this once a year in May of each year.