Dear Heloise: My hint is for people who have storm or screen doors where the top section can be removed. This past Halloween, my mother's dog tried to get out every time she opened the door to give children candy, so she came up with a great idea!

She removed the top screen from the screen door so she could keep the door closed while she handed the candy out through the top opening. It's an easy way to keep your dog inside and the children safe as well. —Sara, New York

Dear Sara: Love this pet-friendly hint, and I bet the dog does also. The top section of the screen or storm door could be kept off permanently to make it easy to answer the door without the chance of Fido getting out. —Heloise

Dear Readers: Annette McNickle of Pratt, Kan., sent a photo of her adorable little gray calico cat, Phoebe. The photo shows her sitting in a vase with greenery and cattails. Annette called the photo "Cat Tail in the Cattails." Phoebe's little head is popping up like a flower among the greenery.

Send your favorite, unusual pet photo to: Heloise/Pet Photo, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279. —Heloise

Dear Heloise: I work in an animal hospital's grooming room. Recently, a formerly docile Shih Tzu, Emma, came in for a very tardy groom. Her owner complained of how snappy Emma had become with the kids, and that if the behavior continued, she would have to be either given away or put down.

Emma had never been a problem, but now she nipped at us and refused to come out of her carrier. I finally had to muzzle her for the safety of both of us! Then, beneath all her matted hair, I found a rubber band tightly wound around one front leg just about at the paw.

Apparently, one of the daughters had given Emma a "bracelet," and it had been forgotten and left on for who knows how long. It was so tight that it had to be cut off by the vets. Now, her owners say she is back to her old self. —A.O'M., via e-mail

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Dear Heloise: Our aquarium is beautiful, especially when the glass is sparkling-clean.

Recently, algae became a problem. I called a pet store that sells fish and was told that the light on top of the aquarium could cause the algae if I keep it on too much during the day. Actually, the light has been on more than normal, since we've had so many cloudy days.

My husband moved the aquarium to an area with better natural light. Now, the aquarium light is put on only once in a while, and there is less algae growth. —Jean A., via e-mail


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