Hints help get rid of smell

Dear Readers: Has your dog ever been & quot;skunked & quot;? You're very lucky if you've never had to deal with this awful smell, but if your luck runs out and your pooch comes home after a close encounter with a frightened skunk, there are a couple of things you can try.
Some readers have had success dousing the fur with tomato juice or other juices containing citric acid, but most need something stronger. My vet and many others now suggest this method:
Mix 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of mild dishwashing liquid. Blend well and then rub it into your dog's coat, as you would shampoo. Make sure to keep it out of the ears and eyes. Rinse thoroughly with lots of clear water. This should help, but if not, you might have to repeat the process to completely remove the odor. Fresh air and time will lessen it, too. Baking soda works wonders on all sorts of odors! To find out how this inexpensive product can be invaluable around your home, please send $4 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (63 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001 to receive a copy of my six-page pamphlet, filled with hints and recipes. Another pet hint: To cut down on litter-box odor, sprinkle some baking soda in first and then add the litter. This should keep the odor down between cleanings. Do remember that some cats are finicky, and if you notice that they stop using their litter box, you might need to discontinue using the baking soda. Heloise
Dear Readers: Kirstin Paltz of Oxnard, Calif., sent in a photo of her cat Taz sitting in a laundry basket. She says, & quot;Taz loves the laundry basket, and every time anyone does the laundry, he is right there to help. & quot;
If your newspaper doesn't print the pet photo, go to www.Heloise.com and click on Pet of the Week to see Taz! Heloise
Dear Heloise: I was not happy with the personalized tags available at pet stores because they are hard to read unless you get close. I contacted a local engraver who makes plastic name badges. I had round tags made with the dog's name, two phone numbers and address. The round shape has no sharp edges, and it is easy to read and very durable. They also come in shapes like a dog bone. A co-worker liked the idea so much that she had one made for her dog that is blind and sometimes wanders out of the yard. Marci, Omaha, Nebraska
Dear Heloise: I used to have problems storing the big bags of dog food. The 50-pound bags I get from the feed store were always in the way and tipping over. I now pour the contents of the bag into a big cooler (the kind with wheels on the bottom). It keeps the food nice and fresh, and it is easy to move out of the way if I need to. J'Lyn, Albany, N.Y.
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