Dear Heloise: Please recommend a good way to clean my birdbaths. Thank you. — David, via e-mail
Happy to oblige with an easy hint to help our feathered friends. You do want to keep the bath clean and algae-free, so birds can dip in and drink fresh water. Add a drop or two of dishwashing liquid and scrub the bath with a stiff brush. Rinse thoroughly.
If there is a buildup of algae, add chlorine bleach (in a ratio of 9 parts water to 1 part bleach) to the water and let soak for about 20 minutes. (Any longer will not do any better.) To ensure that no birds drop by for a swim, cover the bath during the bleaching process. After soaking, scrub the bath again with the stiff brush, carefully dump out the water and let the bath air-dry. Then fill with cold, fresh water.
The National Audubon Society suggests deep-cleaning birdbaths a couple of times a month and changing the water daily. — Heloise
Dear Readers: Ardis Hill of Colorado Springs, Colo., sent a photo of her dachshund, Henri, wrapped in the sleeve of a sweater. Ardis says: "Henri likes to stay warm and cozy. I found him the other day wrapped in the sleeve of my sweater getting warm. He's such a precious pet and oh, so smart!" — Heloise
Dear Heloise: Our daughter and son-in-law are expecting a baby. They have a cat that is very loving and extremely inquisitive. They are a little concerned about the cat and cat hair in the baby's room and crib. My husband suggested they take down the conventional hallway door and install a full-length screen door so the cat can keep an eye on the baby and at the same time it can keep the cat out of the room. — Therese in Ohio
Hello, Heloise: I have a hint to share with you and your readers! When you take your pet to the vet for its annual checkup and are asked to bring a stool sample, use an old (cleaned) prescription bottle. I found out from my vet that they only need a little sample to test, not a bagful! — Kathy, Hooksett, N.H.
Dear Heloise: I always find a vet who offers 24-hour emergency care so the records are available and I don't have to go far to a strange vet if there is a problem during off hours. I bring in my cat for a simple thing like a vaccination to check the place out and register as a client. — A Reader, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: Could you please remind your readers who have microchips in their pets that they should update contact information if they change phone numbers or move? — Larissa Taylor, Waterville, Maine
© King Features Syndicate Inc.