HELOISE Old sweatshirts can be refashioned into stylish attire for pets

Dear Readers: Don't throw away those old sweatshirts and sweaters -- they can be made to fit your large or small dog. You can even use tube socks for a really tiny dog.
Here's what you do for a small dog: Cut the arm off a sweatshirt or sweater, measure it to the size of the dog from the neck to just in front of the back legs, and hem the raw edge. Cut two openings for the front legs, then stitch around each opening.
For a tiny pup, like a teacup Chihuahua, do the same with a tube sock -- it will keep puppy warm and comfy. With all the colors of sweatshirts, sweaters and socks, dogs can have a large wardrobe, and the best part is it doesn't cost a thing for your pet to be one of the "best dressed" pooches on the block. Heloise
Dear Readers: Nancy Hone of St. Paul, Minn., sent a letter warning readers to always check the outside vent of the dryer. After tracing a terrible odor coming from the laundry room, she discovered that a rabbit died when it got caught in the dryer vent pipe. It must have been in there quite a while since she hadn't used her dryer all summer.
She said she had never cleaned the lint from the outside vent. The rabbit was able to get in but couldn't get out. Nancy said this turned into an expensive event as well as a terrible ending for a beautiful little creature. Heloise
Dear Readers: Bradford Roy Marker of Gastonia, N.C., sent in a photo of his four miniature pinscher pups, snuggled all together in a large work shoe. They are the cutest pups, are only about 3 weeks old and already know how to pose for photos.
Visit my Web site, ww.Heloise.-com, and click on This Week's Pet. Send your favorite, unusual pet photo to: Heloise/Pet Photo, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Since I have two house cats, the litter box has to be changed frequently. I used to remove the litter, wash the box, then put in the new litter -- but not anymore. Now, I slide the box inside a large trash bag, push the bag down into the box and fill the indentation with litter. Then I fold the open end underneath the box.
I scoop in between changing the litter. When it is time to change it, I remove the bag so that all the litter stays on the inside and replace with another bag. It only takes a minute, and the box stays clean for a much longer period of time. Terry E., Pine Bush, N.Y.
FYI: Rinse those empty cans and lids first before putting them in the recycle bin. Also, put the lids in the cans before disposing of them. By doing this, you can prevent dogs and wild animals from getting severely hurt. And another plus is that they won't hang around the house. Heloise
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate