Dear Heloise: Our pet dog just got sprayed by a skunk again. Can you please tell me how to remove this odor from his fur? I have tried tomato juice again and again, and it's not working. Help! — Lainey Gibson, via e-mail
Lainey, tomato juice can help, but when there's a need for more odor-removing power, here's a mixture that you can use safely on your pet:
Combine 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of a mild dishwashing liquid — mix well. Rub this into your pet's fur as if it were shampoo, making sure to avoid the eyes and ears. Rinse well with water and repeat the process again if any smell is lingering.
Baking soda is a great odor neutralizer and one of my favorite household cleaners! Send $4 and a self-addressed, stamped (63 cents), long envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001 to receive a copy of my six-page pamphlet filled with a multitude of ways to use this inexpensive, multipurpose product.
Hint: Dirty plastic pet toys can be easily cleaned with a solution of baking soda and water — use a scrub brush on stubborn stains. Your pet might look quizzically at the "new" and clean toy! — Heloise
Dear Readers: Meredith Biel of San Antonio sent a photo of her two adopted greyhounds, Lizzie (11 years old) and Arlie (8 years old), wearing small, colorful sombreros and posing for the camera! — Heloise
Dear Heloise:Purchase an inexpensive backpack (if you live in a hurricane-prone area — Heloise) and fill it with copies of your pets' proof of shots and any necessary medical history. Add a favorite toy or catnip for kitty, a couple of days' worth of food, spare leash and collapsible water/food bowl. If there's still room, a brush and towel might come in handy. If the need arises, just load the pets, grab the backpack and go! — Kate in Florida
Dear Heloise: We have a cute little canary that loves to sing when looking in a mirror. While cleaning his cage, I accidentally broke the mirror, so my husband handed me an old CD to put in the cage until I could get to the pet store. That was several months ago, and he is still perfectly happy with his "substitute" mirror.
Also, I use an old tube top around the bottom of his cage to help contain the seed hulls and whatever else he chooses to pitch out! — ;Bird Lover, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: My cocker spaniel is 14 years old. I devised a bed for her that is washable, off the floor and comfortable.
I use a net rack for drying sweaters, etc., that sits off the ground about 4 inches. I added a fuzzy, washable dog mat and another washable pet mat on top — no additional cost, and it makes a cozy, warm and washable bed. — C.L., Terre Haute, Ind.
© King Features Syndicate Inc.