First-aid hints may save pet’s life

Dear Readers: Here are a few pet-friendly first-aid hints:

UNever give your pet “people” medicine unless it’s recommended by a veterinarian. You should give a pet only medicines prescribed by a veterinarian.

UKeep an animal emergency clinic’s number handy in case your pet is injured after hours or on the weekend. Why not find out where the clinic is right now or ask your vet for a recommendation?

UMinor cuts and scratches that aren’t bleeding a lot need to be cleaned with soap and water or a little hydrogen peroxide, followed by an antiseptic and a bandage.

UNever leave a pet in a car when it’s hot outside! The temperature in the car will soar within minutes, and your beloved pet could suffer heatstroke or worse.

UYour pet will act differently in an emergency or when it is in pain. A collar should be secured properly so that your pet can’t pull out of it. Your pet might even try to claw and bite you, and you might need to restrain it. You can try to wrap your pet in a big bath towel to hold it. Heloise

Dear Heloise: We took our papillon on a three-month motor-home trip. She doesn’t require a lot of exercise, but we worried that she wasn’t getting enough. When we found a big, empty parking lot or a town park without other pets around, we’d do the following:

My husband would show the dog some doggie treats and walk out while I restrained her. My husband would call to her, and she’d take off like a bullet, then I’d call her back. We did that until she began to slow down! She loved it. Gayle Tice, The Villages, Fla.

Dear Readers: Lorraine Danforth of Chelsea, Maine, sent a photo of her 8-year-old cat, Snoopy, staring out the window at Charlene the chipmunk on the other side.

Lorraine says: “Every time the chipmunk gets on the outside windowsill, we say, ‘Snoopy, Charlene’s here, and she comes running and gets on the hassock, and they look at each other. Sad to say that I think Charlene is smarter than Snoopy. Charlene doesn’t try to get the cat, but Snoopy always tries to get the chipmunk.”

Visit www.Heloise.com to see Snoopy and Charlene. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Here is a hint for many people who have back problems and can’t bend over easily: We have a dog, and I use a long-handled pooper-scooper for the yard. A couple of months ago, after a storm had strewn twigs and limbs all over the yard, the scooper had another use.

It was perfect for picking up the sticks and limbs without having to bend over. Even if you don’t have a dog, it’s a great investment for the yard. Rosanna Tarvin, Ralston, Neb.

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