Take safety precautions when leaving pets at home

Dear Heloise: My daughter and her husband went away for a weekend, leaving their lovely kitty in the care of a friend. The friend didn't stay in their home -- just came in twice a day to make sure it had enough food and water, etc. My daughter kept a lamp on a table in a window, and it was controlled by a timer. When they arrived home, the lamp was on the floor, the shade had been knocked off, and there was a large hole burned in the carpet from the hot light bulb! Apparently, the kitty had either pulled on the cord or knocked the lamp over by jumping onto the table. Thank God nothing worse happened. Doris Shaffer, New Market, Va.
Doris, glad all turned out OK. This is a good caution, so remember, if you plan on leaving a pet home alone, be sure to unplug all appliances, etc., that could be knocked over and cause damage or loss. Heloise
Dear Readers: Mary Scott of Hooksett, N.H., sent a photo of her barn cat, Tigger, who loves to keep warm in cool weather by snuggling on top of her miniature horse, Smokie Joe. You could say Tigger's a pro at bareback!
Visit my Web site at www.Heloise.com and click on Pet of the Week to see this photo. Do you have a pet photo you'd like us to feature? If so, send it to: Heloise/Pet Photo, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I read your column every day in The Bakersfield Californian newspaper, and I've never seen this hint in your column.
When putting out the food dish for your pet, if ants take over, simply put the food dish inside a larger container and put water in the larger container. Ants won't try to get to the food dish, or if they do, the water will stop them. Such a simple solution that positively works. Elsa Wallman, Onyx, Calif.
Dear Heloise: I am mama to three little Shih Tzus -- Marci, Missy and Jitter Joe. Bath time is a hassle with Marci -- when she hears the water running in the laundry-room sink, she hides in the farthest bedroom under the bed where I can't reach her. Now, I just ring the doorbell and say, "Well, hello!" and she comes running, barking and turning circles. I don't know how long this will work, but for now it saves lots of time. Rita McWhorter, Eldorado, Texas
Dear Heloise: We bought our son a hamster, a cage and other hamster necessities to keep the little furball happy. In no time at all, Fluffy had chewed up his food dish. I had an unused glass ashtray that was just the right size for a replacement, so it has now become the perfect dish -- large and shallow enough for the purpose, and it cannot be chewed. Rachel, via e-mail
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate