Monday, August 10, 2009

On pet ownership

The other day, I was cleaning the guest bathroom.  Every time I'm in that bathroom, there is this nasty smell that drives me crazy...mostly because I can't figure out the source.  And also, it confuses me, because we really don't use that bathroom.  I mean, I do my hair and makeup in there every morning, but I don't think that those activities should produce this shit smell.

After a careful inspection of the bathroom, I found the source.  It was the bath mat.  Before Matt and I got married, we registered for wooden bath mats from Crate and Barrel.  We were SO excited to register for them - in our old apartment in Virginia, Oscar made a habit of curling up and sleeping on the bath mat whenever either of us would shower.  The mat got all...you know, hairy.  No matter how much or how often I washed the mat, it would be covered with dog hair a second later.  

Then, one special day, the day we registered, we saw the wooden bath mats.  It seemed like a dream come true!  We immediately registered for two, and so far, so good.  

But anyway, back to the present.  And back to Oscar.  Oscar has kind of a weak stomach.  He throws up regularly - a few times a week.  Luckily for us, he is considerate enough to get up, trot over to a tiled area (namely our entryway or our guest bathroom) and do his business there.  Then, we grab a pile of paper towels and some cleaner and take care of the mess.

So.  The bath mat.  It stunk.  Kind of like...shit.  But also like...perhaps...old dog throw-up?  I'm sorry, this is gross.  But when I looked closer, it looked like there was possibly old dog vomit in between the cracks of our bath mat.  I know.  Ew.  I immediately grabbed the mat and took it outside to our apartment's "car wash station," otherwise known as a parking spot with a hose.  

For a good 25 minutes, I stood out there and with my fingers cleaned out all the little cracks and openings that had, you know, nasty in them.  It was gross.  Really, really gross.  

I walked back to the apartment and laid it out on the porch to dry.  Hours later, satisfied it was dry, I put it back in the bathroom for our guests.

And guess what?  I was in there this morning.  The bath mat smells like shit.  

18 comments:

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

Ew, after all that and the smell still there. I would throw it out.

Heather (Live.Love.Laugh.) said...

LOL, I hate phantom smells. I agree, toss it!!

Perfectly Imperfect said...

Throw it away girl! It will never go away and even if it does, you'll still smell it! I learned this the hard way..

Katie @ Loves of Life said...

ohh man! I hope it's not ruined!

I keep my dog's food bowl/water on a wooden mat (kind of like a placemat) and it holds smells so much! its nasty!!

man oh man...

xo
k

Lucy Marie said...

Eww! I can't say I would have been as brave as you and even tried to clean it off. I think it's time to say goodbye to your bathmat.

Brittany Ann said...

You are a brave woman! Dog vomit is one of the weirdest, grossest things. Especially dry! And still the smell lingers, huh? Sorry! I hate that, too!

jenn said...

Wow - you are brave. I can't deal with pet smells. I make my husband basically take care of everything concerning our cats besides petting them and cuddling with them. You really get down and dirty in the trenches!! :)

Anonymous said...

Animal vom kinda makes me shudder.

But I think we have the same bath mat and I, too, am very excited about it. But I'd replace it, I think it's like 30 at Bed Bath & Beyond nowadays? I say that like you got married a long time ago!

Under this Umbrella said...

You gave it the "old college try." Sorry that it didn't work. Have you tried spraying lysol spray or something on it. Since it's clean, if you could get some spray to hold the smell, then that would be better.

Unless it then has a dry dog vomit mixed with lysol smell. Perhaps I got nothin'. Sorry. :(

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

Ah, yes - I can totally relate, right down to the dog who dutifully rests/sheds on the shower mat as I shower.

Throw it away guilt-free, my friend. I have to do so regularly, and hence try to limit my shower & doormat purchases to cheapie, as-kind-to-the-environment-as-possible Target buys.

Mel said...

Thats pretty gross... I think its time to get a new mat.

I want a puppy that comes with no smells... do they make one of those?

Mrs. Hibit said...

Sounds like it's time for a new bath mat! So sorry you had to deal with - and touch the source of - the stench!
We cleaned up our first pile o'poo on the carpet this weekend. Aren't pets grand?

Taryn said...

Oh no! I am sorry. I guess it is time to get a new mat. Maybe a dog proof one. Good luck.

Newlywed Next Door said...

Yeah, time for a new mat my friend! Good effort though!

Annie said...

ah, oh no! lol!
sounds like it's time to throw it out ;)

Lucky in Love said...

That sucks! But at least you found the source right?? Ha! Ew.

DallasJenn said...

Ummmmm, is this the same bath mat I stood on just a few days ago?

Taryn said...

Oh yuck!! I hope you are able to get the smell out. :(

P.S. Hi! I found your blog through Katie's. :)