HELOISE Protect your pets from harm during holiday

Dear Readers: Today is Christmas Eve, and many will have friends or family dropping by. But it's our furry family members that need to be protected from possible harm during these gatherings. Place pets in a separate room or area away from guests; supply the area with their food/water dishes and a cozy bed so they are comfortable. This little bit of planning can keep them out of harm's way and out from underfoot.
Also, some of the foods served at holiday gatherings can be toxic to your pet. Some foods can even cause damage to their kidneys or just plain make them sick. And, since guests could easily leave a plate of uneaten food in Miss Kitty's or Matt Dillon's reach, be aware of what foods could harm your pet. Some of those foods are:
URaisins
UCurrants
UGrapes
UApple cores with seeds
UOnions, raw or cooked
UChocolate of any kind, especially baking chocolate
UFoods high in fat
Make sure your entire family, including pets, has a safe and merry Christmas! Heloise
Dear Readers: Arline Nenni of Goffstown, N.H., sent a cute photo of Bongo, her granddaughter's Maltese, who is all dressed up for a family gathering. The dress and matching hair bow are too cute!
Visit my Web site at www.Heloise.com and click on Pet of the Week to see this cute threesome. Do you have a pet photo that you'd like us to feature? Send it to us at: Heloise/Pet Photo, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I'd like to share a hint with cat lovers that will save pennies and a potential mess. Litter-box liners have always been the way to go for easy cleanup, but plastic trash-compactor bags are the choice box liner in our home. They are so much stronger than other liners. Hope this helps! Hope, via e-mail
FYI: Before bringing a new bird into your home, make sure you educate yourself on its needs and life span. For instance, a parakeet can live from seven to 15 years with the proper care, while a military macaw can become a lifelong buddy. The more informed you are, the better fit your feathered friend will be. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I have a cat and a dog that shed constantly. With more than half of my downstairs having floor tile, the hair needs to be swept up daily.
I purchased a basic sweeping tool that uses cloths, but the replacement cloths were pricey. I discovered that if I put two used fabric-softener sheets on the "sweeper," it picks up just as much cat and dog hair, and it saves me a bundle. Joni, Laguna Niguel, Calif.
King Features Syndicate