HELOISE That little iguana will become a big commitment

Dear Heloise: In one of your columns, you asked for hints on iguana care. I have had three iguanas in the past 12 years. All three were hatchlings -- two male and one female. My two beloved males passed away a few years ago, but my female is still going strong. I could go on and on about iguana care, but I'll try to be as brief as possible!
The three best tips I could give prospective iguana owners are these:
USeriously consider the amount of care an iguana needs. Iguanas have very special dietary requirements and are not pets meant for children. It's not easy to get someone to "pet-sit" an iguana. Their life span can range from 10 to 25 years if cared for properly, so this is a big commitment! Do your research and make sure an iguana is the right pet for you and/or your family.
UIf, after research, you decide that you still want one, find a good veterinarian who has exotic-pet experience. Iguanas need checkups like every other pet. They typically don't show that they are sick until they are fairly bad off (a mechanism helpful in the wild).
UAlso, consider checking local reptile sanctuaries to adopt an iguana. They have everything from babies to adults. I hope that your readers and assistant will find this information helpful. Chris R., via e-mail
You are absolutely right about the "big commitment." My assistant Jane would also agree that iguanas have special needs, and iguana-sitters are very hard to find. Keep in mind also that the cute little 6-inch hatchling you bring home could easily grow to more than 6 feet long and live longer than most dogs! Heloise
Dear Readers: Kelly and Frank M. of San Antonio sent a photo of their little Chihuahua, Peso, taking his afternoon nap on his favorite pillow. He doesn't like to sleep on top of it, but rather under it. He is one spoiled little guy, but they love him to death!
Visit my Web site, www.Heloise.-com, and click on This Week's Pet to see cute little Peso. Heloise
Dear Heloise: If I don't clean my hamster cage (it's a large aquarium) often, the smell is terrible. To make cleaning fast and easy, I take Jumbo out and put him in his exercise ball in a safe area.
I take the cage outside and dump all the litter, etc., in a large trash bag, then wash the cage with a hose. A little bit of dish detergent along with a nylon scrubbie removes the stubborn stains. Once dry, I add new litter, food and, of course, Jumbo. Carla in New England
Dear Heloise: I have a parakeet that opens the little doors in his cage. The cage has three doors -- two for food and one for water. He is able to lift all of them up, one at a time, but they usually shut before he can get out.
I put paper clips on each, but he pulled one off and dropped it in his water bowl. Now, I twist them so they stay on. Harriet Z., Rahway, N.J.
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