HELOISE Vacuum disposal pail solved litter problem

Dear Heloise: I have a cat and live in an apartment with no outside trash facilities. For normal garbage, this isn't a problem, but the remains of the litter box are another story.
Purchasing a vacuum disposal pail, the kind used to hold dirty diapers (costs less than $40. Call your discount store -- it might be cheaper! -- Heloise), solved my problem. I simply scoop the litter into a plastic bag and then deposit the bag in the pail. The cat mess is out of sight and out of smell until the garbage goes the following week! Allison Stein, Pennsylvania
The nose won't "know" when entering your apartment that you have a cat. Your hint is especially good for people with multiple cats -- certainly keeps the odor away. Heloise
Dear Readers: Irene Bechtold of Dayton sent in an adorable photo of her 14-year-old part-beagle/part-Yorkshire named Tasha. She's all dressed in her Christmas finery, sitting in a white wicker basket. Visit my Web site, www.Heloise.com, and click on This Week's Pet to see little Tasha. Send your favorite, unusual pet photo to: Heloise/Pet Photo, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Birds constantly flew into my window. I tried putting things up on the glass to frighten them away, but nothing seemed to work until I thought of the old, shiny CDs I have.
I put ribbon through the center and made a knot, then put another on the ribbon and knotted it and so on, until I had about 10 of them hanging. I hung them outside from the overhang right in the middle of the window. The CDs constantly move around, and I guess being shiny and moving keeps the birds away. Not one has hit the window in a few months, so I think I solved the problem. Janice R., Fort Worth, Texas
This is one good use for those unwanted CDs! Thanks for writing. Heloise
Dear Heloise: We have a large, 50-gallon aquarium. When I'm home, it's not a problem to feed the fish daily because I know exactly how much food to give them.
My husband and I planned a 10-day vacation but were worried that my neighbor would either under- or overfeed the fish while we were gone. I found a way to make it very easy for her -- using empty film canisters. After washing them, I filled each one with the right amount of fish food for each day. My neighbor appreciated not having to worry, and every fish was "healthy and happy" when we returned home. J.S., via e-mail
Dear Heloise: My dog had been limping, but of course wouldn't limp when I took him to the vet. The next time, before I went I videotaped my dog at home when he was limping and then took the tape to the vet.
It was very helpful to her to see what the problem was, and also to the specialist we ended up going to (he wouldn't limp for the specialist, either). Lisa Layton, Jacksonville, Fla.
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
King Features Syndicate