Five for Fido: Tips work well on dogs

Dear Readers: We thought we would share five "Fido" finds from Heloise Central. Here are some of our favorite "dog & quot;-gone good hints:
I keep a small or large basket for all of Cabbie's toys, and I must admit she has a lot! This helps keep the house picked up, and when Cabbie wants something, she knows where to find her toy basket. Heloise
Since my small dogs are kept in the house, I have to put down "potty" pads when I am gone. I use good ol' newspaper, and to keep the ink from transferring to the floor, I put a plastic trash bag down first and then the papers. Now I can just pick up the whole mess and toss it. Kelly
When I fed my dogs, sometimes the bowls slid all over the floor. So, I put a piece of rubber shelf liner on the floor and set the bowls on that. Now the bowls stay put, and it's easier for everyone. Ruth
We bathe our dog in the shower. This works really well for medium to large breeds. Also, to keep our pet's bedding fresh between washing, we spritz it with peppermint oil and water. Just put a drop or two of the oil in a squirt bottle filled with water. It smells good. Kathy
Dear Heloise: In all the years I've been reading Hints From Heloise, this is the first time I've really felt urged to write to you. It is in regard to your suggestion to take some familiar item with your pet when you go to the vet. Do the same for her when you take her to be groomed. It really makes a difference. Chic Maclise, Fallbrook, Calif.
Dear Readers: Mrs. Ginny Price of York Haven, Pa., sent in a photo of her gray cat, Cuddles, sitting quite comfortably in the towel cupboard. Ginny says she couldn't find her cat (who was adopted from the animal shelter), and when she went looking for her, there she was, in with the towels.
Visit my Web site at www.Heloise.com and click on Pet of the Week. There you'll find the photo of Cuddles. Heloise
Dear Heloise: My indoor-outdoor cat is shedding clouds of fine undercoat, and she refuses to let me comb her. What to do?
I found that if my hands were damp when I stroked her, amazing amounts of hair came out and didn't fly all over. I tried the same motion she uses to groom herself -- short strokes, gently tugging at her coat -- and she submitted like a kitten to "mama" grooming her. Messy, but it works! D.S. in Farmington, N.M.
Dear Heloise: Several years ago, we had a gray miniature poodle, Mignon. One day, some friends of ours who were traveling from Alaska stopped to visit and brought their Pekingese, Princess. As we were sitting and visiting, Mignon walked over to her dish of dry dog food, picked up a mouthful, took it over and put it in front of Princess! She was being a good hostess! D. Pengra, Rapid City, S.D.
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