HELOISE An aquarium book should be your first purchase

Dear Heloise: I am writing in response to your advice that parents should buy inexpensive fish -- such as guppies -- for their children. I have kept fish for more than 15 years and feel that I must comment. A $2 guppy is a living thing, as is a $10 angel fish, and it deserves the same quality of care, regardless of its price tag. Better advice would be for the parent to invest in a good-quality aquarium book first.
Bringing fish into your home is no less of a responsibility than having a dog or cat. In fact, some might say it is comparably harder, considering that fish live in an environment that is somewhat foreign to us.
I would like to add that keeping fish can be fun and educational for the whole family, but it can also be a heartbreaking experience if they are not given the proper care. A good aquarium book does not cost that much and can indeed save you a lot of money in the end by starting off on the right foot.
Many people don't know, for example, that some fish species can live many years. I have a plecostomus that has been with me for 13 years, and I fully expect it to live for many more. Trust me -- if you take the time to learn what a fish needs, you will have a far better experience, as well as a pet that could be with you for a long time. Karen Simpson, via e-mail
Karen, you're right, of course! No matter what type of pet you bring into your home, you should learn as much as possible about the correct care for its good health and happiness. Heloise
Dear Readers: Kelly of Cibolo, Texas, shared a photo of her dog, a Boston terrier named Bubba, sleeping with his "baby." Kelly says that Bubba treats his stuffed animals with care and always sleeps with one.
Visit my Web site, www.Heloise.com, and click on This Week's Pet to see Bubba and his baby. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Amen to your warning against leaving small items around that cats could swallow. Our cat, Taffy, once swallowed a foam earplug that became lodged in his intestines and blocked his digestive tract. It required $1,500 worth of surgery to save his life. Jim in River Edge, N.J.
Dear Readers: Raising birds is delightful, but there is one important thing to remember when buying a nest and getting ready for baby birds: Don't line the nest with cotton balls -- they are very dangerous.
Our dear friend Dr. Tom Vice, who is an avian specialist, recommends buying nesting material from a pet shop or using straw that has been cut into short pieces. Don't take a chance with cotton. The fibers can tangle around the feet of baby birds and their parents.
Keep them safe -- you'll have a lot of fun watching the little fledglings grow. Heloise
King Features Syndicate