This is the time of year where if I had fifty empty houses, I'd be able to fill every one of them. Not necessarily with the best people, but... :)

Had two people call me yesterday afternoon because they had heard through the grapevine that I had houses.

#1's husband was a new police officer in town. She was looking to join him here, but he hadn't pinned down permanent housing. I wasn't going to have anything available until April or May, but she was persistent, so I put her through the usual questions. She wanted a 2-or-3-bedroom, could afford one of my 2-bedroom prices but a 3-bed would probably stretch her budget, and she wanted an enclosed yard. I asked her to tell me about her animals. She had three dogs-- two that weighed 80 lbs, and a smaller one that weighed 20.

#2 was a guy and his wife; they called about an hour later. They wanted a 2-bed or a 3-bed, and could afford my rates. He also had three dogs-- an 80 lb dog, a 60 lb dog, and a 20 lb dog.

So, I just thought it was kind of funny that I had about 350 lbs' worth of dog express interest in applying, all in the space of an hour.

Some of my houses are pet-friendly. Others aren't. In theory, we try to keep things at 1 animal, with a 20-lb weight limit, in exchange for $25/month extra pet rent. However, we're willing to consider being flexible for people who show dependability in other aspects of their lives.

If I get fleas from a departing petowner, I lose two months' rent while getting rid of the problem. (So far-- fleas from an indoor-only cat; fleas from someone who took in a feral kitten; and fleas from someone who took in their mom's two Yorkies.) That's my biggest fear with animals.

I take dogs, I currently have a tenant with 3 dogs, 2 larger one very small. BUT I have had her as a tenant for years. She came with 1 dog, but being a vet tech, she picked took the others in when they were left at the clinic or abandoned. I know her well, I know her dogs. There is lots of land with this house.

I hope you all know about the Hills Prescription dog food recall. Someone put too much vitamin D in the foods and they can cause kidney failure. Unfortunately I have one of the foods here but the dog that was getting it was only getting a little of it as a supplement. She is ok and I have switched to all home cooked. I am boiling chicken tenders and making corn meal mush and rice cereal and mashing the cooked frozen veggies in the mush and they are getting used to eating it. I have to supply some vitamins like fish oil/E and taurine and the B vitamins.

My record for number of pets per applicant is 6 dogs, 3 big ones and 3 small. But "the small ones are less trouble because they just go on 'pee pads' in the house". (!!!)

NICOLE OF PA I did NOT hear that, what was the answer!!!

Charge rent for each DOG 100 per pound. This is NOT a misprint.

YEP thats $18,000 per month over the going rate for monthly rent.

Plus PET FEE of $1000

Most likely that 80 lb dog is a miniature HORSE at about 100lbs. Next time they tell you 80 lb dogs ask them if they come with a saddle. I guarantee you will hear silence on the line or CLICK.

That CRAZY TEXAS LANDLADY!!!

Deanna of TX consider increasing your rent, TRY IT. Triple your present rent and put an ad in the paper or whatever source you use. If your going rent is $1,000 a month, you new ad $3,000 and pets accepted, 2 pets, under 50 pounds any pets over will be an additional $1,000 per month.

HOWEVER, do an in home inspection to see if their present house smells and if the place is chewed up.

$3,000 monthly rent and $3,000 security deposit and pet fee of $3,000. YEP $9,000 before move in.

How much will $6,000 cover in damages? Plus do monthly inspection of the house. And add monthly inspections to your lease.