HELOISE Poll provides solutions to many pet problems

Dear Readers: We took a poll here in Heloise Central and found that all kinds of animals have been pets. The obvious are dogs, cats, fish and hamsters, and some that were a little different were ferrets and an iguana. So, we figured we would go around the room and get the office's favorite pet hints to share:
UKelly's favorite hint is to keep a small basket in a corner of her living room to keep her house from being taken over by her Chihuahua's stuffed toys. This keeps everything neat and tidy.
UJanie's hint is to read up on an exotic pet before getting or giving one. She was given an iguana as a gift. Reptiles can be expensive to keep, as they require special care, food and housing.
URuth's favorite hint is to use a plant pot to elevate your pet's food or water dish. This makes it easier for your pets, especially for older dogs.
UKathy's hint is to put doggie treats in a pretty crystal decanter. She gives her dogs treats often, and to keep the treats handy and looking nice on the counter, she keeps them in the decanter.
UMine: Our miniature schnauzer, Cabbie, sleeps in our bedroom (sometimes on the bed or on a big, soft pillow on the floor). We keep a water bowl for her on top of a pretty, plastic place mat so she doesn't have to go to the kitchen in the middle of the night. Who runs this household? We know the truth! Heloise
Dear Readers: Walter and Betty Lucas of Elizabethtown, Ky., sent us a photo of their miniature schnauzer, Rascal, "driving" a child's sports car. They say, "Our Rascal loves to pose for pictures."
Visit my Web site, www.Heloise.-com, and click on Pet of the Week to see Rascal and his car. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I saw some cute little zebra finch birds at a pet store, and I decided to get a couple. Then I bought a cage and all the necessities. Well, in no time my birds had six little babies. The mother and father were quite busy feeding all of them. I tried to keep a lot of food in the feeders, then put some dog food in the cage with a little water so it was mushy. Well, they loved it, and the babies were big and healthy. Kelly in Colorado
One of my assistants raised zebra finches, and her vet told her that feeding the birds dog food is all right, but a better mixture is half dog food and half dry cereal with enough water to moisten. Heloise
Dear Heloise: For cat owners: An everyday use of a toddler's small, plastic wading pool is to put the litter box inside the pool. It saves the owner much cleaning time. Instead of litter flying all over the surrounding area, it is contained. Kitty Myers, Independence, Iowa
XSend 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