GARDENING
ALONG CAME CARL His accidents created a domino effect, and his owner’s home has been transformed
P
ets and plants have never been a problem for Russett Thompson. She’s not sure why, considering she has two dogs,
four cats and more than 50 indoor flowers. But a snap of the fingers when any pets
venture too close seems to do the trick. “I feel like I’ve just been very fortunate,” she says. “Cats are very intelligent. They’ve never destroyed anything or swallowed anything.” She’s lucky; because that’s not always the case when it comes to pets. The river rock surrounding my potted dieffenbachia, which I added to keep out maMARJIE DUCEY
SPEAKING OF PLANTS
rauding paws, makes it a bear
CARL THE DOG
to carry inside and out every
PHOTOS BY RUSSETT THOMPSON
spring and fall. But Russett does have another story to tell. She and husband Steve hadn’t planned to move when they spotted
on or scratch hardwood floors. But while tearing up carpet, they decided they’d like a more open concept.
Carl, the most expensive puppy in the world, is now 6, and work continues. They’ve put in dutch doors to some
So down came a load-bearing wall that
guest rooms to bring more light into
opened up the kitchen to the rest of the
the main living area while keeping the
house. Sadly, that made the state of their
dogs out. Steve, a steamfitter, worked
country girl and Steve is from the city, so
old cupboards more noticeable, so they
with a friend to add an iron handrail on
she was thrilled that he liked it as much
painted those and added new counter-
the staircase leading to the basement.
as she did.
tops and a backsplash.
Replacing carpets in the guest bedrooms
the four-bedroom walkout ranch on an acreage outside of Blair. Russett is a
They moved in, happy so little work
Suddenly, the guest bathroom didn’t
is likely next.
needed to be done immediately after a
seem to have the right flow, and it under-
hasty and exhausting transformation of
went a major gut. All the bedrooms had
Carl to their brood and all the ensuing
their previous house to get it ready to sell.
to be brought up to snuff with new paint
updates. Otherwise, she says, they
and ceiling fans.
wouldn’t have had the motivation to
But then they brought home a puppy to keep Shih Tzu mix Prudie company. Carl started having accidents, and soon the carpet had to go. The Thompsons picked
The only thing they didn’t touch was the master bathroom. “Pretty much everything has been
Russett doesn’t regret adding puppy
tackle so much, so quickly. Steve might have other ideas. “My husband doesn’t think it’s funny.
a wood-look ceramic tile so 80-pound
redone,” Russett says. “It’s all because we
I do,” she says. “He’s the one who does all
German shepherd Howard wouldn’t slip
got a puppy.”
of the work.”
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