Just curious — is the Resolve only good for whites — how about pastels?

Thanks!

Shan

Dear Shan,

I do not know.I suspect that, because it’s a carpet cleaner, it’s suitable for all colors of carpet and isn’t bleachy.

I would suggest testing it on a shirt you’ve pretty much given up on anyway.I wind up pitching a few light-blues at the end of each summer, so find a grey-pitted blue or pink shirt you were going to chuck anyway, and try it.If it works, yay, if not, no harm done.

Hiya,

I guess you’re more of a cat gal, but I’m hoping some of your wise and good readers can help me out with a doggy problem.

I’m looking for a safe and effective product or technique to repel dogs who are not on leads, and who are attacking your dog — well, mine to be precise, who is on a lead and now always muzzled. I’m based in the UK, but I think most of the laws around dogs are similar to the U.S.

In the week since I adopted my ex-racing greyhound Champ, we’ve had four incidents with dogs off leads, one of which resulted in vet’s bills for me because he retaliated a bit too much. Then at 5 PM today I saw a white terrier get run over by a builder’s van because it was off its lead and was hurtling across a main road towards us.

The only thing worse than seeing a dog get run over — I actually saw the wheels bump over its torso and heard it scream — is thinking what an out-of-control terrier could have done to my muzzled, terrified greyhound.

So I guess if you do put this on the site, can I also please make a plea to owners to keep your dog on a lead in public — it’s the law most places, and however cute he is at home when he’s in dogfight mode he’s not your pet pooch anymore, he has the capability to become an armed and dangerous instinctive killer — and so do all the other dogs he will meet.

I thought about carrying a water pistol but the Met here seem to have a shoot-on-sight policy on people carrying anything vaguely gunlike — I kid you not, a man got shot dead for carrying a table leg, another for carrying a gun-shaped lighter, and local beat police are often armed — and pepper spray is illegal here.

Does anyone have any answers, or products, which might work for this?

I feel kind of stuck, love my dog, and sadly can’t have a cat living here, so any tried-and-tested suggestions would be truly appreciated.

Best wishes,

Chandra & Champ

Dear C & C,

Aw, retired greyhounds are my favorite.I used to have a neighbor who had one named Twinkle — such a sweet dog, and her puppies, MY GOD SO CUTE.

Anyway.Yes, people need to keep their dogs on leashes, but not everyone does, and sometimes things get ugly — especially when, justified or not, you attempt to discipline someone else’s dog.

I am almost positive there’s a product available Stateside that’s like a rape whistle, but for dogs…of course, the unfortunate side effect is that it freaks your dog out as well, but if Champ’s beset by an angry pit bull, you’ll do what you have to do.I can’t seem to find it, but maybe the readers know about it (or can recommend whether it’s a good product).

Meantime, the best thing is probably a spray like this one, which is citronella — repels animals that get too close, but isn’t inhumane (and also wins the disclaimer of the week award: “Not effective against bears.”Heh.I would love to hear the story behind that authoritative claim.)Not everyone agrees that citronella is okay to use on dogs as far as bark-training collars go, but I think that if you and Champ are figuratively treed by a dog off its lead and you’re out of options, it’s okay.

Readers, hit it.

Hi,

I am a 22-year-old virgin, who needs advice on what to do with the hair
“down there.”

I have been with my current boyfriend “Alex” for about six months.I’m really happy with my relationship with Alex. Everyone we know thinks
that we are a amazing match for each other. Plus I would say (with only
a slight bias) that he’s smoking hot. I’ve wanted to sleep with him since we
started getting serious in our relationship. This brings me to my current
problem.

I know that the sex won’t be great the first time and I know that
protection is a good thing, however, I don’t know what to do with the hair
“down there.” I’ve heard guys say they like a girl who is “neat,” but I have
no idea what that means. I’m part Italian and Scottish so I’ve managed to
accumulate quite the large bush.

I want to have sex with Alex in the near
future but I want to know what is the usual accepted style for pubic
hairdressing so that it’s that much less awkward on the big night.

Why didn’t the creepy gym teacher go over this in sex ed?

Dear Because Nobody Talks About It,

First things first: protection isn’t just “a good thing,” it’s absolutely vital — and if you only worry about one thing on the big night, make it condoms and their correct use, not your pubes.Safety first.

As to your actual question…some guys do like a girl who is “neat,” but other guys like a more natural look and feel.It depends on the guy, and really, until you actually get down to it, you probably won’t know which Alex likes.And the other thing is, guys (and girls) will like certain things in theory, but then in practice it doesn’t matter that much to them when they really dig the person.Like, everything else being equal, is back hair on the list of qualities I look for in a guy?Not really.But…everything else never is equal.I find a guy who’s cracking up at this, I can live with some fuzz.You know?Alex isn’t going to get to the big reveal and be like, “I’m out of here.”

So, generally speaking, I would try not to overthink it…but, if it’s going to be your first time and you’re looking to remove all sources of insecurity in advance so you can concentrate on the important things, you might consider investing in a beard trimmer.Hee.I know.But a beard trimmer has various settings that allow you to, you know, maybe thin things out a little, but without looking too “styled” down there; it’s still natural, just less plentiful.You can probably get one for around twenty bucks at the drugstore.

Again, though: Alex is probably fine with it no matter what the volume.The first time is kind of a lot to think about as it is, so don’t load yourself up with too much pressure.

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