This post is sponsored by Therabis™ and the BlogPaws® Pet
Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share information
about Therabis - Hemp wellness products to help your dog with itching,
anxiety and joint mobility. Momma Told Me only shares information
we feel is relevant to our readers. Therabis is not responsible for the
content of this article.
Nora has always been described as a high energy, fun loving, happy dog both by those who know her well, or simply have the pleasure of meeting her. We, okay I, like to joke that Nora would greet an axe murderer with a wagging tail and a silly smile- she simply never seemed to have any sense of negativity. The exception being, like so many dogs, loud sudden noises such as fireworks- New Year's Eve and the 4th of July have long plagued the animals in our home with stress and anxiety. And every year it seems like the number of days people set off fireworks before and after the holidays themselves continues to grow, despite it being entirely illegal where we live.
Because it was such a rare, twice a year, thing we never did much more to handle this stress within our pets outside of lots of cuddles and a good loud movie night. Then, last year, I was rear ended at a complete stop exiting the freeway and my car was totaled. Nora was inside- properly secured, and experienced no injuries- but she was fairly shaken up by the sheer sound and shock of the impact. Suddenly my happy-go-lucky dog who loved to go for a ride any chance she could get was experiencing immense anxiety and signs of distress when she was forced to be in the car for even a short period of time.
Above is a snapshot I took on my mobile phone as Nora and I set out to visit my father, a 5 mile drive across town, just a few weeks after the accident. It's hard to believe that photo is my Nora. Her rapid panting, ears back, and efforts to climb over the seat and into my lap were all clear signs that she was feeling anxious about her current situation.
A perfectly happy, well loved, well cared for dog can experience signs of anxiety or stress from time to time. In Nora's case she began associating an event/location with a traumatic event and could no longer control her involuntary reactions to being placed back in a similar situation- despite the lack of actual threat. If your dog regularly responds to a situation with cues such as excessive barking, standing or sitting with one paw raised, ears back, whining or howling, or excessive panting and pacing your dog may be experiencing forms of anxiety or stress.
The first, and most important thing to do is to identify what is going on, and where your dog is, when they are exhibiting these behaviors. In many cases there may be a simple solution of removing the dog from the stressful surroundings, or avoiding the situation. In some cases, such as separation anxiety, social stress, and fear of cars you may be unable to eliminate your dog's behavioral response by sheer avoidance.
It can be frustrating when you see that your dog is not acting like themselves, and natural for you to want to fix whatever it is that is bothering your pet. The first, and most important thing, aside from identifying what is causing the anxiety, is patience and understanding. You may wish you could solve this with cuddles and a few comforting words but, unfortunately, dogs are conditioned with natural responses to situations, and cannot understand a threat has passed once they have experienced something traumatic enough to trigger a response behavior. The simplest remedy is time, and the rebuilding of safety through trust in similar situations.
Nora, almost a year later, is much better in car rides and no longer breaks out in panting with signs of anxiety when we enter the car. However, there are still memories associated with the originating event in her mind. When our car goes over a pothole, or railroad tracks, it is as though she is experiencing a heightened sense of fear all over again. The painting starts, the ears go back, and she'll nervously attempt to hide. Where short car rides are relatively uneventful, and Nora happily emerges from the car her typical bubbly self, longer car rides can be quite rough on all involved- which is why I recently sought out the Therabis™ range of natural hemp oil derivative pet products.
Therabis™, as a brand, is backed by 25 years of veterinary experience and over 10 years of research and development by founder and veterinarian Dr. Stephen M. Katz. Their hemp-wellness formulas harness the natural benefits of hemp extracted Cannabinoids(CBD) alongside other natural ingredients such as L-theanine (from green tea) and comprehensive vitamin compounds. The CBDs obtained for Therabis™ pet products are sourced from industrial hemp that has been specifically cultivated to have minimal levels of THC so their natural therapeutic properties can be harnessed without producing any psychoactive effects.
So what are Cannabinoids? They're a naturally occurring chemical compound found in hemp that interacts with your pets endocannabinoid system (the central regulatory system which impacts things such as mood, digestion, and sleep.) Your pet's body naturally produces it's own Cannabinoids which bind the the receptors of this endocannabinoid system, and Therabis™ should be considered a supplement used to help boost this systems natural impact.
Therabis™ features multiple formulations to help ease and supplement your dog's unique set of challenges; Up And Moving (for ease of mobility and joint pain), Stop The Itch (for dogs with hot spots and excessive self grooming), and Calm And Quiet (for dogs who experience stress in situations or settings). After reading many experiences from actual Therabis™ Calm And Quiet users I was excited to be able to give it a try with Nora and her anxiety towards car rides. Therabis™ offers 2 formulations for their Calm And Quiet supplement, easy to take fast-acting treats- for on the spot treatment of stressful situations, and a daily Powder sachet intended to be sprinkled on a dog's primary meal each day.
I was hesitant to start Nora with the daily powder supplement because I simply was unsure how she might react, and wondered what the impact would be throughout the day. The treats really appealed to me for an incident by incident bases of stressful car rides. However, I consulted with my Veterinarian and his insight was that an overall daily supplement, intended to help alleviate general stress, might be beneficial to work towards Nora's comfort with car rides in the long run. His theory was that she might naturally regain her confidence in the car if, over time, she continued to experience positive trips in them.
Nora didn't seem to notice the Therabis Calm And Quiet powder sprinkled on her breakfast as she has eaten every such sprinkled bowl with equal enthusiasm to an everyday meal. Because we have chosen to give Nora Calm And Quiet daily as a supplement to her everyday nutrition I feel the impact of this Therabis™ supplement has been immediate and dramatic. Jay kept joking that or dog would be 'out of it' and 'a different dog' but the truth is we have both been astonished by the positive change in Nora. She is just as much her usual active, bubbly, self around the house and out for walks- but we have successfully gone for multiple care rides now and she has yet to let out a single pant.
It is such a pleasure to see my dog's ears up in the car. Not only up, but Nora is very engaged and attentive. One might think Calm And Quiet would indicate a dog would be 'out of it' and sleeping all the time. We've found it to be the opposite- Nora is equally alert and, if anything, more discerning of the situation. She seems to more rationally process information and react enthusiastically, but within reason. It's the Nora we know and love, just sharper and wiser- if that makes sense? I am over the moon to see her once again enjoying car rides, and have high expectations of Therabis™ Calm And Quiet for next year's New Year's Eve.
There are several things that can seem to hold a dog back from being themselves. Sometimes we tend to attribute these things to age, or other circumstances outside our control. Unfortunately we can't sit our pets down and talk them through situations such as stress, itching, or sore joints, so it can be hard to know how to treat them. In most cases we simply want our 'old dog' back- that twinkle in their eyes when you come home, that silly smile as they run back with that fuzzy tennis ball. For a while, when Nora began showing signs of stress in the car we were forced to make the decision to leave her home on trips where she would have previously been our partner in crime. I am so glad to be able to grab the leash once again and get the whole family out and moving.
When a furry family member is experiencing something that alters the way they greet each day and live their lives that last thing one wants to do is change their dog's behavior further with treatments that can further slow a dog down. When it comes to a conditioned response to stressful stimuli and situations multiple forms of problem solving will benefit your dog on the road to becoming their 'good ol' selves'. Identify the problem and accept your dog's perception of the situation as stressful, limit the amount of time your pet has to put in similar situations until trust and confidence can be properly rebuilt, and seek the help of natural supplements to ease anxiety and allow your dog to embrace their everyday lifestyle once again. Learn more about Cannabinoids, and purchase Therabis™ pet supplement products online at Therabis.com. Do you have, or have you aver had, a pet who experienced anxiety during certain events? How did you handle it?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Therabis™. The opinions and text are all mine.
This post is sponsored by bluestem™ and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer
Network™. I am being compensated to increase awareness of and share my
experiences with the bluestem™ oral care products, but we only share
information we feel is relevant to our readers. Bluestem™ is not
responsible for the content of this article.
Momma Told Me: Good dog. Bad Breath.
It's widely accepted that dogs require many of the same things as their human counterparts, when it comes to staying healthy and living a full life. From a safe and loving home, to a healthy diet and active lifestyle, it's crucial that we monitor several key elements of a dog's health and hygiene; especially as they age. For example, when we take Nora to the groomer they always ask if we'd like to have her teeth brushed as part of her grooming package. And for over 95% of the canine pet population that may be the only time, if at all, during the year a dog's teeth is brushed. Even more staggering is the knowledge that the best dental hygiene plan for a canine often includes brushing with a pet-safe enzymatic toothpaste, every day. While the momentary escape to a vision of your pup brushing their teeth at the bathroom sink might solicit a chuckle, there really is little to laugh about.
It's hard to imagine an animal needs daily oral care- but their teeth accumulates plaque, bacteria, and even can cause serious gum and dental diseases when left un-cared for. Just like humans.
Not to mention to thought of kissing someone who hasn't brushed their teeth in over a year (or maybe their entire life?) might put a damper on those sloppy puppy kisses!
However, proper dental hygiene in dogs is not just about bad breath- plaque and bacteria buildup (often evident by poor breath in your pup) can result in loose and rotting teeth, infected gums, and even life-threatening health issues. Some breeds of dogs are notorious for being more at risk than others, and small breeds often top the list, while larger breeds can experience broken or cracked teeth. That's why we have Nora's teeth professionally cleaned, at our veterinary office, about every other year- or when it becomes a concern. In addition, we brush her teeth during every bath (it's not the suggested every day, but we work on it,) watch her diet, provide her with plenty of healthy chewing toys, and have recently started a new water additive which will help break down biofilm, where harmful bacteria multiples in the mouth.
Many per owners care about their pet's dental health but simply don't have the time to keep up with it, or the patience to brush their dog's teeth. I recently learned about an amazing brand of pet oral care aids called bluestem™, which works to remove the food source bacteria needed to build plaque and tartar. It's not a miracle product but bluestem™'s active ingredient, coactiv+™, can help to maintain a healthier mouth when used alongside with other good oral hygiene practices for your dog. bluestem™ products come in a few formats to help fit the lifestyle of you and your dog, their Oral Spray can be used alongside their Water Additive for a comprehensive routine that helps battle plaque and bad breath.
Of course, sometimes you just want to spoil your pup- so we're sharing this simple 4 ingredient recipe for Mint Parsley Pup Treats at the bottom of the post as well. Made with fresh mint leaves, parsely, plain yogurt, and pure peppermint oil, these frozen bites are the perfect bad breath buster during those incredibly hot dog days of Summer. We like to put one in an empty food bowl and let Nora lap at it as it melts in the afternoon heat.
For those days when you're on the go and you can't quite bring bluestem™'s water additive, or our breath freshening pup treats, bluestem™ with coactiv+™'s Oral Spray in Vanilla Mint can be applied directly to the base of the gums, up to twice a day. This unique breath freshener has an awesome no startle nozzle that makes the entire process fuss free. I've actually been noticing Nora fights me less and less when I go to lift up her gums, which is great, because she associates that with teeth brushing, which has always been a battle! I think she genuinely enjoys the Vanilla Mint flavor, and I love knowing that I'm directly helping to reduce up to 23% of everyday tarter when I use bluestem™ with coactiv+™ daily as directed!
Maybe you don't brush your dog's teeth regularly, or at all, because you simply don't like the struggle and dog-mom guilt inevitably creeps in ad you and 2 other family members attempt to hold a squirming dog down and brush. There is honestly no replacement for brushing your dog's teeth every day- but, thankfully, there are still things you can do to help encourage a healthier oral care routine. Providing your pet a wide variety of oral safe (items that are not harder than your dog's teeth) pet toys can help your pets naturally break down residue and buildup from tartar. Our homemade chew toy is not only a simple and fun project to do just that, it's also a great reward AFTER you've brushed your dog's teeth. Remember to always reward good behavior!
D.I.Y Homemade Chew Toy
Supplies:
1 Appropriately Sized Dog 'Tennis' Ball
1 Scrap Fabric Square (Approximately Equal To 15x The Ball Width, In Length)
Scissors
Directions:
1. Place the ball in the center of your fabric. Measure 1/3 up from the bottom, and 1/3 in from the right, and cut an even square of fabric from the corner. Measure 1/3 down from the top, and 1/3 in from the right and cut an even square of fabric from the corner. Repeat on the left side until you are left with a 'cross' of fabric.
2. Cut a small 1/2" slit in the center of the left strip, just where your cuts end, as to create a buttonhole. Repeat with the bottom strip.
3. Pull the top strip through the slit in the bottom strip and tie a knot. Pull the right strip through the left strip and tie a knot.
4. Cut each strip into 3 even strips to about 1/4" from the knot base. Braid each corner to desired length and tie in a knot to fix.
5. Toss around or indulge in a good old-fashioned game of tug-of-war!
Of course our favorite way to fight doggy breath and help keep Nora's teeth clean doesn't involve much effort at all- A little play time in the backyard and she'll help clean her own teeth (fight plaque buildup) when she enjoys a few hearty laps of water from her drinking bowl. For the past 30 days we've been using bluestem™ with coactiv+™'s water additives in one of 3 formulations, unflavored, chicken flavored, or vanilla mint flavored. As a Special Note: The Chicken Flavored, and Unflavored bluestem™ with coactiv+™'s water additive formulas are also safe for use with cats. Bonus! Truffles enjoys the benefits in her bowl as well! The Vanilla Mint formulation should only be used with dogs, and is not approved for use with cats.
So what does all that fancy talk mean? Well, we first began introducing Nora to bluestem™ with coactiv+™'s water additives by adding a half cap to her 2.5 C water bowl, each time we gave her fresh water. Once we were sure she hadn't caught on, we increased the amount to a full cap, and then in about a week, 2 caps per bowl. Some of you may remember Nora has a slight water addiction, so I never had a fear of her turning her nose, but some dogs might be a little more keen to the change, so a gradual introduction is suggested. The bluestem™ with coactiv+™' water additives are clear, and have no odor, so the process truly is painless!
Nora drinks just as much water a usual with bluestem™ and I honestly can't determine whether she has a preference for chicken flavored or vanilla mint more. Since we use the oral spray in Vanilla Mint, and the Original and Chicken Flavor formulations are cat safe, I think we'll be buying more of those from now on.
What can you expect to notice in just 30 days using bluestem™ with coactiv+™' water additives in your dog's water? An independent study showed that dogs using bluestem™
regularly had up to a 25.4% reduction in tartar, even experiencing
visibly cleaner teeth! Where we've noticed the difference? Nora still
has 'breath' after all, her mouth is still a mouth, but her breath is
more like one would expect a human to experience throughout the day, and
far from the repelling 'doggy breath' we're used to around here. Let's
just say I no longer cringe when Jay lets her lick his face endlessly
with 'kisses'.
It's important to me that Nora not only has the prettiest smile on leash, on the block, but that her teeth and gums are their healthiest. I still experience 'dog mom' guilt that I don't brush her teeth everyday- but I feel a lot more confident I am doing what's best for her oral care with the introduction of bluestem™ products into her everyday routine. bluestem™ products are an alcohol, xylitol, and chlorhexidine free, and a potentially delicious way to help support your dog's good oral hygiene routine. Their products are currently sold at a variety of specialty stores and boutiques nationwide, or online through their website. Learn more about the products and availability, and take the 30 day challenge to see results for yourself! Now, be honest, what do you do to help maintain your pet's oral care?
Enjoy 20% off your order with bluestem™ in September (2016) when you use promo code: TRYBLUESTEM What Daughter Says: Don't fear puppy kisses, take some simple steps to fight doggy breath and help improve your dog's oral hygiene today.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of bluestem. The opinions and text are all mine.
This post is sponsored by Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® and the
BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help create
awareness about protection against common parasites found in dogs but
we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. More information about SENTINEL SPECTRUM. Virbac is not responsible for the content of this article.
Momma Told Me: Don't waste time fearing what you can't see.
When I was a little girl I had the worst night terrors- We lived in a 2 bedroom condo in which my bedroom had a massive walk in closet with an entrance to the attic. One Summer, when I was still quite young, a nest of wasps decided to take home in the attic directly above my bedroom. For weeks I would lay, terrified of the ambient buzzing I could hear, but not see and for weeks Momma would console me, telling me there was nothing to fear, it was all in my head. Then, one day, after I absolutely refused to go into my bedroom at bedtime, my father decided to take a journey into the attic to show me I was being quite ridiculous.
I wish I could say I was reassured by what unfolded next- but, as you can imagine, a nest of wasps being uncovered in a dark and desolate attic was far from a joyful sight. And never again did my mother tell me that which couldn't be seen wasn't of bother.
On the surface this story might seem to have nothing to do with pets at all, but it really is a good metaphor for parasites and our dogs. Through the years, as a pet parent, I've come to learn that parasites, such as fleas, are not a seasonal worry. While it may seem like fleas are more active in the Summer, when our dogs may be spending more time outdoors, they can survive impressively inhospitable conditions and the non visible fleas may be the ones you should fear most. Visible fleas make up just a small portion of the flea population, and those that aren't visible can live in your home for up to a year before finding a host.
And, while fleas can be carriers for other parasites, such as tapeworms, there are even more pests, such as mosquitoes, which can transmit parasites as well. Just one bite from an infected mosquito can give an otherwise healthy dog heartworm- a deadly parasite that is often not detected until it is causing potentially life threatening symptoms to the host dog. Because of this most veterinarians recommend annual or biannual heartworm screenings. Whipworms, roundworms, and hookworms round out the list of the 6 of the most common parasites found in canines. It's enough to keep any pet parent up at night.
Unfortunately, one of the most common misconceptions about parasites and dogs is that the threat is seasonal- We shared a reader poll last month and 20% of those polled said they only provide their dog flea protection during the Spring and Summer months! Fleas, and parasites don't take a break! Female fleas can produce up to 40-50 eggs a day, and most adult fleas survive 2-3 months under normal conditions- making them a year round concern whether your dog is primarily indoors, or out chasing ducks by the creek.
Dogs can contract tapeworms from simply grooming themselves, whether an active flea infestation is present in home or not- one single flea ingested during everyday grooming, gnawing on a flea bite, or coming across a dead animal, can result in a tapeworm problem. Tapeworms are typically not detected until the issue presents itself as changes in the dog's behavior, appetite, or literal worms being expelled in a dog's bowel movements. If any of this sounds terrifying or nauseating, it should- because parasites, such as tapeworm, are preventable with a simple year-round treatment called Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® (More info about Sentinel Spectrum.)
Fearing what you can't see is a natural instinct- but fearing the 6 most common parasites in your dog, doesn't have to be. Ask your veterinarian if Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® can help provide peace of mind year round for you and your canine family. (Learn about a special rebate here!) Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® is a once a month, delicious bacon flavored chew, given to your dog as a treat with a small meal. It's unique active ingredient, Lufenuron, prevents fleas from developing into adults, while the broad spectrum paraciticide also actively protects against tapeworms, hookworm, whipworm, roundworm, and heartworm. Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® can help protect your dog so you can stop worrying about the parasites you can't see, and they can get back to being a dog again- or, in our case, role-playing as a goat in the backyard. What Daughter Says: Fleas, and parasites, should be a concern year-round- but you don't have leave your dog unguarded. Ask your vet about Virbac Sentinel Spectrum today!
Explore the info-graphic (COMING SOON!) below to learn more about Flea and Tapeworm knowledge, as surveyed from readers in our last post!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Virbac® SENTINEL® SPECTRUM®. The opinions and text are all mine.
This post is sponsored by Fresh Step® and the BlogPaws® Influencer
Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Fresh
Step® with Febreze® but I only share information I feel is relevant to
my readers. Fresh Step is not responsible for the content of this
article. All photos contained below are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2016.
Momma Told Me: It's time to graduate to the big leagues.
There comes a time in every cat's life when you need to sit down and have 'the talk.' If you have human kids the potty training discussion flows from training pants and potties to 'big boy undies.' Your kids will eventually tell you when they feel comfortable enough with their training to progress to more advanced powder room, erm box, skills. The problem with feline children is that we, as their human parents, become complacent. We start out with fancy litter and grow a little lazier over time. I doubt you use the cheapest toilet paper, so why should your cat suffer the indignities of inferior litter?
Of course your cat doesn't pay the bills. Truffles earns a fair income for someone 13" tall with a speech impediment, but at the end of the day I'm the one pulling out the plastic to pay for that litter box spread. And I've made her ensure some awful litters in the name of financing or human entitlement. Yet it always seems to be HER fault when the commode requires a 'second flushing' or a little bit of 'toilet paper' gets tracked out of the restroom. So, when Truffles suggested I look into new Fresh Step with the POWER of Febreze I thought she was getting all high and mighty with her bathroom decor. A Febreze infused commode? Wasn't that the lap of luxury?
But it turns out I was actually able to pick up this new Fresh Step variety on my regular stop at PetSmart, and the POWER of Febreze Fresh Step varieties came in several litter formulations such as Extreme Clumping, Extreme Lightweight, and Multiple Cat. I was a bit resistant to pick up some new treats, on the back of the swanky new litter, but I caved to the images of Puss In Boots eyes and my better conscience and walked out with a cart of goodies for both the kids. Of course, as soon as I got home Truffles was eagerly waiting to inspect the new Fresh Step with the POWER of Febreze litter I'd selected, and demanded a fresh box.
Which brings us to the dilemma of what I was to do with all that OLD unused litter. Truffles now had the odor busting POWER of Febreze on her side with a fancy pants low dust formula litter, but I was left with about 40lbs of sub-par litter I was now NEVER going to go back to. Surely it had to have SOME use; storm drain sandbags, kitty litter paperweights, abstract sand art. None of these ideas were good enough to make immediate use of all that litter. Until Nora had a genius idea. Why not make the cat, who's always scratching on things, a piece of furniture exclusively designed for her to tear it up?
So we hit the local flea market, Nora, Jay, and I, and scoured for the most inexpensive, potentially hideous, second hand vase we could find. It had to be tall, with ample surface area, and tapered to discourage burrowing and other 'cat behaviors.' At last we came across a metallic painted steel vase that was lightweight and several feet tall. For under $20 we assembled (2) 100' Sisal Rope rolls, a decorative tile from the D.I.Y store, and a few hot glue sticks. Tacking the rope to the vase at the very bottom, middle, and top with super glue we wrapped the vase as tight as we could, just 1 foot short of our 200' length.
We then used some heavy duty Apoxy to secure and set the vase to the tile- the tile being necessary to help stabilize the base, in addition to filled weight, and prevent it from tipping in use. Next we filled the vase with 25lb of that 'old' kitty little and added a few festive fake branches to encourage Truffles' mischievous instincts. A little dash of fresh catnip inside and out, and voila, instant home decor and stylish cat furniture.
I couldn't be happier how this project turned out for just about $30, and the piece itself is a wonderful addition to our home. We set it up by the Truffles' normal destruction hangout for the first few days for her to get the picture that it was 'scratch approved,' then moved it to a less cat central part of the home where it is otherwise completely camouflaged as a piece of human furniture. Best of all, if a section of rope begins to tear off or look particularly ratty it's an easy repair for just a few feet of rope, with 100' running around $8 normally.
Of course, if your cat isn't as picky about their personal space, and lavatory, as you are- you can always introduce Fresh Step with the POWER of Febreze into your home with gradual 50/50 litter changes. You'll likely notice a decrease in litter dust almost instantly (#win) and they'll be less discerning. I'm lucky enough to have a refined feline for a daughter and we're both enjoying the new powerful odor control thanks to Fresh Step with the POWER of Febreze at PetSmart. The scratching vase is pretty darn snazzy too. Let's face it, sometimes being a cat parent gets us a bad wrap- how do you make your cat's presence a little more subtle? Do you keep your litter box in a special cabinet? Do you buy modern pet furniture?
What Daughter Says: Don't settle for litter trained, conquer the litter box with the odor busting POWER lower dust Fresh Step with the POWER of Febreze.
This post is sponsored by Fresh Step® and the BlogPaws® Influencer Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Fresh Step® with Febreze® but I only share information I feel is relevant to my readers. Fresh Step is not responsible for the content of this article.
Of course your cat doesn't pay the bills. Truffles earns a fair income for someone 13" tall with a speech impediment, but at the end of the day I'm the one pulling out the plastic to pay for that litter box spread. And I've made her ensure some awful litters in the name of financing or human entitlement. Yet it always seems to be HER fault when the commode requires a 'second flushing' or a little bit of 'toilet paper' gets tracked out of the restroom. So, when Truffles suggested I look into new Fresh Step with the 
