Things to consider for a hamster in the house

Dear Readers: Are you thinking about adding a hamster to the household? Here are some important things to keep in mind:

UAs with any pet, a hamster does require some responsibility. Hamsters need food and water daily, and they need to live in a clean environment, so frequent cage cleaning is a must.

UCheck out beforehand what you will need — a cage, exercise wheel, food dishes, a care book and water dispenser. Hamsters love to chew plastic, so buy only metal accessories for their cages.

UIt is usually best to have only one hamster per cage, as hamsters can be quite territorial and can hurt one another.

UHamsters don’t have a long life span — about one to three years — so be sure everyone, especially young children, is aware of this.

UHamsters are the best escape artists there are! If there is a way to get out of their cage, they will figure it out. Catching them isn’t always easy, either.

UIf you allow your hamster out of its cage, either with you or in an exercise ball, it is very important to watch it, as hamsters are fragile little guys.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: After buying and trying almost everything for removing cat hairs from my sofa slipcover, quite by accident I came upon a solution.

While brushing my cat with a wire-haired brush, I noticed hair on the sofa. I just swished it with the brush, and it brushed my furniture even better than it did my cat!

No more looking for vacuums, wet dishcloths and rubbery stuff that didn’t work. Barbara Spurgeon, Little Rock, Ark.

Dear Readers: Riina Van Rixoort of Matawan, N.J., sent a photo of her silky terrier, Schuyler (aka Skyy), wearing his team sweater. Riina says, “While Skyy is a Giants fan, he has been known to also root for the Jets!”

Visit www.Heloise.com to see Skyy in his sweater. Heloise

Dear Heloise: This is the story behind our pet dog’s name. My husband is a retired Vietnam veteran and is totally deaf except for digital hearing aids and the ability to read lips.

We were between dogs, and I had our cat at the vet, who knows both my husband and me. The appointment over, my vet asked me to come into the back, and I met a cute, mixed-breed, medium-size black-and-white dog. The vet called to the dog, and he came forward, looking around in all directions as he came.

I said, “Nice dog, but the way he’s looking around, I’d say he is blind.” The vet said he was, that his name was Bumper, and he thought I might want the dog because if I have a deaf husband, I shouldn’t mind a blind dog. Well, Bumper came home with me and is dearly loved. Sharon and Bill Ohlemueller, San Antonio

Lucky dog, and lucky you! Heloise

King Features Syndicate