Dear Heloise:To make it easy when we walk our dogs, we placed a basket by the front door. In it are leashes, a flashlight for safety on late-evening walks, paper towels to dry off wet paws, and even a pair of old gloves for colder weather. It saves a lot of time. — Martha Neighbors, Birmingham, Ala.
All the necessities (for humans and pets) in one place that makes it easy to get them. Also, a terrific idea is to keep some plastic bags and disposable gloves in the basket to use while walking, to pick up litter. Your neighbors will love you for it! — Heloise
Dear Heloise: Our dogs wore those bone-shaped tags until I found one of them struggling on the deck. She had laid down on the cedar deck, the tag had gone in between the cracks, and she'd gotten stuck. I usually keep the dogs' collars loose, just in case they snag on the fence, but I never thought the deck was a hazard. Lucky I was there to see it.
Now, they wear collars with the information right on the collar. Just wanted to pass on this information for other readers. — Linda Bryngelson, New Brighton, Minn.
Dear Readers: Dorothy and Al Bottema of Tooele, Utah, sent a photo of their cat, Ramses, that shows him sleeping in the middle of a Christmas village. He thought the town square was the perfect place. — Heloise
Dear Readers: Watch your cat around appliances, especially washing machines. We've received many letters about cats getting into washers and also dryers. They love resting in them, especially if there are clothes in the bottom.
Be sure all is clear before starting the washer or the dryer. When you're finished with laundry, keep the doors closed so your pet won't be tempted to jump in.
If this has happened in your household, please write: Heloise/cats, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279, or e-mail Heloise@heloise.com, subject: cat dryer. — Heloise
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