Organize your pet toys with these ideas

Dear Gail: We just rescued our second dog, and now it seems like I can't keep up with them and my house. My Daisy was so calm but now is filled with energy with Rosy. It does warm my heart to see them playing together. You'd think just one more dog in the house wouldn't make a difference, but it sure did for me. Any suggestions on getting things back to being organized? — Patty

Dear Patty: First, thank you for rescuing. There are so many wonderful pets in our community that need loving homes. It is hard enough trying to stay on top of picking up after yourself and family, but when you have pets it makes it even more time-consuming since they can't pick up for themselves. Well, at least I haven't been able to train mine to do that.

Their toys decorate your floors throughout the house and those items that you need for them on a daily basis can clutter up your counters and cabinets if not organized. So here's a couple ideas that might work for you, Daisy and Rosy.

Have one shelf in your storage pantry just for their things. I like to use clear plastic boxes to keep things that are not boxed or too small to stack such as their chew bones, extra toys I've bought when they were on sale, vitamins, medication and grooming items. I use a separate box for each type so when I need something I can just take out the box I need. The dollar stores have small to medium ones that work perfectly.

I'm real big on clear plastic for all my storage items. I hate having to drag out a box to see what's in it. If you'd rather use something more decorative, you can place a plastic sleeve on the front and list what's in the box.

If you don't have room in your pantry, over the door shoe racks work great for smaller items. They're inexpensive, take up little space and keep everything visible through the plastic pockets.

Place the items where you use them. Make it convenient to have it within arm's length versus searching for it.

I brush the girls in the yard, so I have a doggie box with their brushes and combs. Since I've put them outside, I've been so much better brushing them. I always have my first cup of coffee on the patio and they get a quick brush every day.

When I use to bathe them myself, I had a plastic box with everything I needed under the sink in the guest bath. I've gotten smart and take them to the groomer.

Now how do you tackle their toys? There's really no perfect way around toys being on the floor and having to pick them up at the end of the night. You want them to be able to keep themselves occupied and play when they want to. So either you have them where they can get to them or you pull a couple out of the closet for them each day.

I like my dogs to be able to pick what they want to play with and figure what's the difference between gathering up two toys or 10 toys. Plus the bending over gives me a little exercise.

If you're going to have them within their reach, start by having just one place where they get put away each night. A quick grab and drop is better than stepping on one of their squeaky toys in the middle of the night and almost scaring yourself to death.

There are all kinds of attractive containers you can use. If you don't have a chewer, baskets and vintage wooden crates can look nice. If you get one with a handle, you can carry it around with you when doing your toy run.

How about a large decorative ice trough? Cut down a wine barrel. A trip to an antique store can get your creative juices flowing to find something unique. In my master retreat, I have my baby rocker that I put the toys they play with in the morning when I'm getting ready.

If you have a chewer and nothing on the floor will work, or have more than you know what to do with and just can't throw out one of their favorites, look for a hidden corner you can put them in. I had mine behind a chair until the pile kept growing. I could never throw out a favorite. My husband would actually sew them up.

Want them out of sight but easy to get to? Storage ottomans are perfect and dual functional. Pull their toys out and get your feet up after a long day.

Vintage suitcases can add a nice touch. They stack, close and are very chic. You can even sort their toys by suitcase. One for bones, one for plush toys and one for their squeaky toys.

Picnic baskets come in all shapes and sizes. I love the old ones. Also by containing them in something, you won't suck one up with the vacuum.

When I had my Maddy, she loved to take her toys outside. It was so darn cute to see her grab a toy from her pile, run around shaking it up and then head for the door. By the end of the night, there could be 10 to 15 toys out there. Each night we would do what we called a baby roundup and then put them back in her pile for the next day's run.

Hope this gave you a few easy and clever ideas to keep your counters, cabinets and floors clutter-free.

— Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by email to: GMJinteriors@gmail.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.