Sadly by the time we got him home he was very ill and exhausted. We've been debating about when to put him to sleep, and this is it. By the time some of you read this, he'll be gone.

He just had a big accident of foul smelling, watery bloody stool in our dining room. (No big deal to me, I'm a nurse and have seen worse.) The problem is that my daughter is throwing a surprise party for my husband saturday night.

I wiped the floor with sanicloths and let air dry. Then I sprayed lysol and let it air dry per directions. When I get home, I'll wipe everything down with a bleach solution.

My problem is that since we don't know what he had picked up on his travels or in the shelter, what additional precautions should I take for my friends who have dogs? I was thinking about having a shallow pan of bleach solution by the door for people to disinfect their shoes before they go home, or is that overkill? How long should I wait until I can let a dog in my house and yard?

Thanks for any advice. I'm planning to ask at the vet today, but I'll probably be too distraught and forget.

Thanks in advance, Holly

i went back and read all about cody in the thread you linked. he sounds like he was a wonderful family member.

((((hugs)))) to you in your sorrow.

It sounds like you've done all you can about disinfecting the floor. I think everything should be okay for your guests with dogs. After all, we walk along streets and sidewalks where all sorts of "stuff" has been dropped and we pick it up on the soles of our shoes and come in the house, don't we?

OMG, reading what I've just written makes me think we should become a no-shoes household.

I tend to think along the lines of monablair, regarding people walk everywhere, everyday trampling lord only knows what around.

I think of my floor as a vast garden of microflora and microfauna.

Guess you are right, seems like I kind of freaked out for a bit thinking about other dogs possibly getting sick and having to be put down.

Took a walk tonight taking the "lost dog" fliers down. Was so upset when I put them up I can't even remember where they all are. Who knows what I brought home on my shoes :)

Thank you for your kindness, and your advice.