HELOISE Protect kids and critters from hooks
Dear Heloise: As a fellow animal lover (especially cats), I read that each year veterinarians have the unpleasant task of removing fish hooks from the mouths of critters that detect the fishy smell and get hooked trying to lick it off.
As a fishing person myself, I've been guilty of leaving a hook on the line and fastening it to one of the line guide loops. Now I keep empty plastic prescription vials (with snap-on lids, not the child-proof caps) in my gear box.
Drop the lure/hook into the vial, snap on the top, then use a twist-tie to attach it all to the guide loop. Then go and enjoy your catch with a clear conscience. M.J. Hunt, Commerce, Texas
This will also keep children, as well as animals, safe from getting hooked. Heloise
Dear Readers: Gloria Richardson of Skowhegan, Maine, has a gray tabby cat named Emma Lee. The photo she sent shows Emma sitting in a basket smelling flowers. She looks like she is really enjoying it. Visit my Web site, www.Heloise.com, and click on This Week's Pet to see this adorable cat. Heloise
Dear Heloise: The hint about kittens in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer brought to mind an incident we had with our cat many years ago. We named him Magellan because he explored every nook and cranny in our house.
Once, he was found in a kitchen cabinet. (Like most cats, he was very sneaky.) One night, we were trying to find Magellan, and we looked everywhere for him, calling his name. As a joke, I opened the door of our upright deep freezer. Out jumped a very cold and relieved Magellan.
From then on, we checked everywhere for him before closing any doors. Jan Grant, Auburn, Wash.
We receive many letters about cats climbing into washing machines and dryers. It's a very good idea to check every large appliance to make sure they are not hiding inside. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I take my small dog for a walk every morning and sometimes late in the evening. In the dark or fog, I worry about her being hit by a car even if she is on the leash. So, one day I purchased two small, red flashing bike lights -- one for her and one for the back of my wheelchair.
We can both be seen now, and the light flashing from her harness draws a lot of notice to her. People have said it's a good idea and that they had never thought of it. Marcella Babcock, via fax
Dear Readers: If you don't have flowers in your yard that attract hummingbirds, you can make a homemade nectar using four parts boiled water and one part white sugar, being sure the sugar is completely dissolved. It should be changed frequently.
Put hummingbird feeders in separate areas, because the birds can become quite aggressive while feeding, so it's best to have each one out of sight of the other.
King Features Syndicate