Flea Control Products (and other advice)

This is not specific for breeds, but the good folks here have given me good
advice before, so maybe you can help again.

My good dog Muttley has a bad case of fleas, and they are also in the
house. They find their way into my socks, and they are in my bed, and of
course they are all over Muttley. I got a flea collar for him a few weeks
ago, and there weren't as many around his neck, but I could see perhaps
hundreds of them crawling out of his fur along his back and other places,
and then diving back in. I have some flea control spray, which has reduced
the problem of fleas in the house. I also had some flea spray for cats,
which I tried applying to affected areas on Muttley, but he seemed to be
really afraid of it and I didn't want to force the issue. I sprayed a
little on myself, and it didn't burn or feel unpleasant, although it did
smell bad.

Yesterday I applied a tube of Hartz Advanced Care Flea and Tick drops for
dogs 61 to 90 lb, by squeezing it along his spine from the shoulder blades
to his tail. It also smelled bad, but he seemed to tolerate its application
pretty well. However, after about 15 hours, the situation is not much
better, and the insecticide smell is rather strong. The product is 85.7%
phenothrin. I have heard Frontline and Advantix are very good, but I saw
this at Food Lion and decided to give it a try.

I know I should take him to the vets. There are a lot of things I should
and should not do. I should not keep him tied outside during the day in a
place where he digs in the dirt and is exposed to all sorts of insects. I
should take him for walks more often, but I am tired and hot and it is not
pleasant because he pulls on the leash and would like nothing better than
to run off in the woods (which he has done a couple times, and returned).
My house is not a good place for him to be alone because I am doing major
renovations and there are all sorts of dangers like extension cords and
power tools.

I really need to find a better home for this loveable but irksome mutt. My
cat Photon lives in fear of him, and when he has sensed her presence, he
often pees in the house, which makes me angry and I banish him to the
outdoors until I feel sorry for him and let him back in. I have grown too
attached to him to give him up forever to an anonymous new owner through an
adoption agency, although sometimes I think it might be for the best. He is
at the same time a good buddy who snuggles next to me in my bed, and then
also a constant source of worry and frustration. The flea problem is just
another big hassle on top of everything else.

I did not seek out this dog. My friend rescued him from the mean streets of
Baltimore, had him neutered and vaccinated, and I was taking him to the
SPCA where I though he would be sheltered and given for adoption, but they
were overloaded with Katrina victims and told me he would most likely be
put down. I could not look into his big brown eyes and shake his huge
freely offered paw and allow that to happen. That was February, and I have
given a huge effort, but it has drained me and affected my health.

Anyway, thanks for listening. I would appreciate advice on flea control,
but even more I need help finding the best solution to this predicament. I
plan to make a flyer with his picture and a short bio, and distribute it at
pet stores, vets, and other appropriate places. Maybe Muttley and I will
get lucky, and find someone who has a big (high) fenced yard where he can
run and play, and perhaps I may be allowed to visit for a while to ease the
pain of separation. This will be one of the hardest things I have ever had
to do.

Thanks,

Paul

[snip 148 kB of a post too long to read]

Well, I am amazed to have provoked perhaps the longest post ever from Jerry
Howe. Maybe there are some good words of advice in this long winded rant,
but I merely skimmed through it. The condescending attitude and knee-jerk
criticism is just too much. So, Jerry, "Howe" much time has your mostly
unread post subtracted from your life?

I took Muttley on a nice long walk today on the NCRR trail, and he behaved
well. We met some nice people, got some good exercise and fresh air, and
the fleas seem to be more under control. Muttley is now calmly relaxing and
he seems quite happy. I would be pleased to read any advice offered, but I
will not spend time sorting through thousands of words of abuse and
criticism from someone who obviously has, (but will not acknowledge),
serious mental health issues.

Thanks,

Paul