Dear Heloise:We adopted a border terrier puppy. The week before we went to get Daisy, I took a hand towel and got our scents on it (put it on our bed one day and on our son's bed the next day), put it in a zippered plastic bag and sent it to the breeder. I asked him to place it with our puppy and let her get used to our scents. When we picked her up, she had no problems adjusting to us, and the towel now had her mom's and brother's scents on it, too, so the transition away from them was easier! We never had any night crying or problems. She is a wonderful puppy! — Susan, via e-mail
This is a wonderful way to make any new puppy feel more at home. Some readers suggest taking a stuffed toy over to the breeder's, too! Our furry friends' sense of smell is so powerful that even a faint whiff can deliver a strong impression. — Heloise
Dear Heloise: I have only one laundry basket for carrying my cat to the vet, so I use a large towel over the top. I fasten the towel to the basket with clothespins around three-quarters of the perimeter. I can then pop the cat through the opening and clothespin it shut before she can get turned around and back out. She travels just fine, and I don't have to store a cat carrier. — Deborah Bryant, Houston
You and your cat are to be commended! There are many cats that wouldn't even go in that basket! — Heloise
Dear Heloise: I enjoyed reading your story about Cabbie (our mini schnauzer — Heloise) and how she retrieved the newspaper for you. It reminded me of something that happened in our neighborhood.
Sid, one of our neighbors, taught his dog to retrieve the newspaper, but the second day, Sid discovered that his dog had retrieved eight newspapers! Sid started working on untraining his dog from the new trick. Every time I can't find my newspaper, I wonder if Sid wound up with it. — Jean Harmon, Bakersfield, Calif.
Dear Readers: Hamsters are adorable little balls of fur. Before adding one to your home, be sure to read up on the care that they require. Here are just a few items to keep in mind:
Cages need to be cleaned often to keep them odor-free.
Hamsters must have an exercise wheel. It is best to get a metal one, as they are chewers, and a plastic one might not last.
You can buy hamster food at pet stores, or many large discount stores carry it in the pet section.
Hamsters are nocturnal. They sleep during the day and are active at night. Don't put the cage in a child's bedroom, because they might be kept awake. — Heloise
© King Features Syndicate Inc.