Thanks everyone, for your input. Very helpful just to know there are helpful thots coming my way. I think the best bet is to get help, however I get it (spending time with truckers would be a walk in the park after the mess I've been thru...I tend to wash my hands about very 5 minutes). JinK, you're absolutely right...this carpet is incredibly tough. I'm already having trouble playing guitar because my Left hand has gone south...and I'm left handed...so I'm unwilling to sacrifice with shears. And because of the shackiness of my dear little home, and the threat of having ins. premiums upped if I actually put forth a claim (of this sort, especially...you get put into some kind of bank, and are branded ever after, even if they don't pay), I think I'm on my own here.

From all that has been said, and my own sense of the problem, I think my best bet is to find someone to help me cut away the contaminated carpet, dump a load of bleach on the floorboards underneath, soak the carpet in water/bleach solution, and let it dry in the sun...then either put back or toss, depending on how fast I can get replacement.

Thanks, guest Jon for knife link...I can't get it to work at the moment but will keep trying. Think the suggestion of working from the BACk rather than front may help (thanks Ebbie...working from front just rucks up this dispicable shag) and I'll call extention agent tomorrow, Kat, to see if they have any words of wisdom for me. And I think wearing a mask (and gloves) is an excellent suggestion as well.

In the meantime, I've covered the whole thing with a heavy area rug, so at least i dont have to fear 12 dog and 2 human feet tracking unspeakable germs throughout the house. I find myself breathing very shallowly, even tho since my last attempt at cleaning there is no smell.