HELOISE More favorite pet hints are shared after poll is taken

Dear Readers: Here at Heloise Central, we love pets and have had many different types through the years! A while back, we took a poll in the office and asked about favorite pet hints. Here are some more of our favorites:
UIf you feed your dog or cat soft food, spray the dish with some nonstick spray before adding the food, and it makes cleanup a lot easier.
UKeep a small basket for all your pet's items. This way, when you are looking for a sweater, leash, collar or its shot record, for instance, you will know right where to look.
UBe sure your pet has clean water available every day, and in the summer add a couple of ice cubes to the water to keep it cool.
UMeasure out fish food so they don't get overfed. This way, even the smallest family member can feed them. Cupcake liners work really well for this. Heloise
Dear Readers: Cindy Lemmon of Bountiful, Utah, sent in a photo of her large, black-and-white fluffball, Prince the cat, and her daughter Candice doing morning aerobics. They are both stretched out on their backs, ready to go! Visit www.Heloise.com and click on Pet of the Week to see the fat cat limbering up! Heloise
Dear Heloise: We have a Boston terrier, Bubba, and took him to the Texas coast on a weekend getaway. We weren't sure how he was going to react to the water and all. Well, let me tell you, he loved the water. He raced in and out of the surf and just had a great time.
When it came time to leave, he didn't want to get out of the water. We had to physically pick him up and put him in the vehicle so we could leave. He was so mad that he sat in the back seat with his head facing toward the back. He wouldn't even look at or respond to us.
If you take your dog to the beach, remember to have plenty of fresh water and some shade available. You should also have its leash, collar and even some of its favorite toys. K.M. from New Braunfels, Texas
Dear Heloise: I have two large, long-haired dogs and a long-haired cat, and I brush them at least once a day. I used to throw the hair away, but now in the spring, I put it outside, and the birds carry it off to use in their nests. This is easy for me, and I smile when I think about the baby birds resting in the soft fur of my pets. Alberta Jenkins, Little Rock, Ark.
Dear Heloise: I have a large pet bed for my dog, Spike. Sometimes it smells a little strong. So, I sprinkle plenty of baking soda on the bed, let it sit for several minutes, then take the bed outside and give it a couple of good shakes. This makes the bed fresh-smelling. Carla Perkins, Des Moines, Iowa
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate