Let’s face it. Pets are messy!  As with all organizing solutions, the answer is establishing dedicated zones.  If you have a small dog or a cat, like Daniel here, just store him on a shelf.  Look how thrilled he is!

OK, so I’m kidding, but the real point here is not to be uncomfortable with leaving open spaces.  We had recently cleared this shelf, but instead of filling it up, just for the sake of filling it, we left it open.  Open doesn’t mean empty, as in wanting.  It means open, as in open for possibilities.  In this case, that possibility meant a visit from Daniel, at my easy chair.  Yes, he organized himself into that shelf.  Don’t worry.  He always looks that nervous.  He couldn’t be happier!