It pays to check and double-check
Dear Heloise: Animals tied outside are much safer wearing harnesses than collars. I am owned by two 3-year-old cats that have been raised as inside-outside cats. However, since they were kittens, they've been outside only on harnesses attached to a cable I strung in the back yard.
They are out only while I'm at home. One morning, I let them out as usual and heard Jackie crying. Checking, I found Sammy hanging by the neck over the rearview mirror of the car. He had climbed up on it and had wriggled out of the body part of the harness because it was too loose. If I hadn't heard Jackie crying, I surely would have lost him.
Please remind your readers to check their pets' harnesses for proper fit. Luckily, this time I didn't lose my little boy, but it was close. Christie Selzer, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Dear Heloise: Many times birds have flown into my kitchen window after spotting their reflection. I tried lots of things to stop them, but to no avail. I came up with an idea of hanging an 8-by-10-inch plastic framed mirror on a branch right next to the window and also put a bird feeder next to it to draw the birds.
Now they head for the mirror rather than my window, and since it moves, they can't hurt themselves as they did when crashing into the window. Rita V., San Antonio
Dear Readers: Arline Nenni of Goffstown, N.H., sent a very funny photo of two neighborhood dogs behind a giant oak tree. The dog in front is a basset hound, and the one in back is some kind of mix. The photo makes it appear that it is one long dog.
Visit my Web site, www.heloise.-com, and click on This Week's Pet to see this optical illusion. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Our family subscribes to a couple of pet magazines. They have wonderful information and stories, and the pictures are so lovely. They are worth keeping, but we were accumulating too many.
The last time I took my dog to the veterinarian, I noticed very few magazines in the office. That would be a perfect place for pet magazines, so I asked the vet if he would like them. He was delighted. Before taking them to the office, I removed all address labels. Karen A., via e-mail
Does your pet's canned food stick to the dish? It can be hard to remove. Try this to prevent the problem: Before putting the food in, spray the inside with vegetable spray. It's harmless for your pet, and washing the dish is a snap. Heloise
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) HELOISE, or e-mail heloise@heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate