Orphaned pet protocol
Dear Heloise: I enjoy reading your column in The Birmingham (Ala.) News. “Heartbroken in Texas” broke my heart with her request that her older PETS be euthanized after her death. While I don’t want to see her pets placed in a shelter to live out their lives, arranging for their comfort and care with other family members or friends is preferable to ending what could be many more quality, happy years for those pets. — Animal Lover in Alabama
As a human who has been “owned” by many, many animals, birds, ferrets, dogs and a cat or two, I understand your concern. But, in my reader’s eyes, I don’t think she meant that they should be put down right away. I think she just meant that when and if something happened to her, her pets would be taken care of. This is especially true about many pets, like parrots that can live 50 years or more and house cats that can have a long and happy life. — Heloise
P.S.: “Woof, woof” from our new dog, Chammy, whom we found at the Humane Society here in San Antonio. She is sweet and mischievous, but a real lovebug to cuddle with while watching TV or reading a book.
PET PAL
Dear Readers: Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson, via email, sent in a picture of her cat, Stella, sticking out of an empty snack box. Missy says that Stella also likes to play with empty soda-can boxes. These “free” cat toys can provide hours of fun for her. To see Stella’s picture, go to my website, www.Heloise.com, and click on “Pets.” — Heloise
REUSING T-SHIRTS
Dear Heloise: I save T-shirts that have an interesting design or color so I can reuse the cloth. If one of the T-shirt colors/designs fits well with a certain outfit, I cut a long, skinny strip and wrap it around a bangle bracelet. I find bangles cheap at discount stores, and can make higher-end-looking bracelets from them. Sometimes I wrap several of the bangles together. — Jennifer M. in Texas
SLOW DOWN
Dear Readers: A lot of unpleasant gastrointestinal problems can happen when your dog or cat eats too quickly. Just as in humans, it can cause some pretty unpleasant problems. This is especially true if you feed a pet only once a day. Check with your vet, of course, but two to three mealtimes, depending on your pet, may be a better feeding schedule. — Heloise
HIDE THE SMELL
Dear Heloise: Several people I know are very sensitive to the odors from the perfume samples we get in magazines and newspapers. Rather than throw them away, I put them in plastic zippered bags, then use them to put in the trash can to cover over the bad smells. — Vivian J., Lafayette, La.
You can request a magazine without the scented inserts. Most publishers offer this option, so look in the magazine or go online to find the email address or phone number for customer service. — Heloise