Birds will be in fine feather with these hints

Dear Readers: Here are some hints for attracting birds to your yard:

• Hang a bird feeder at least 4 feet off the ground.

• Different birds like different foods, so consult with the experts at your local bird store and try out a variety to attract the native birds.

• Remember to replace and replenish bird food often. Birds shouldn’t eat moldy or bug-infested food.

• Sliced fruit is a great addition to a wild-bird menu — they love it.

• A birdbath provides a source for drinking and bathing. A bath with an edge or rough surface around the rim gives birds a place to sit when they are not drinking or bathing. Birds will be more likely to use the bath if you place medium-size pebbles in the bottom of the bath so they can see that the water is shallow enough for them.

Heloise

Dear Readers: Desiree La Branche of Bristol, Conn., sent a photo of her daughter, Mackenzie, with her pet pal Bailey (the Shih Tzu), lying together like two peas in a pod. Desiree says, “Bailey loves to do what Mackenzie does, or is it the other way around?”

Just loved this photo of the baby and the dog. Visit www.Heloise.com to view these two. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Here are a couple of things I found out if you buy a gerbil: They need to exercise, so a metal (they can chew plastic) exercise wheel is a must to keep them healthy and happy.

They also like to sleep inside a shelter, so place a small box (or you can buy one from a pet store specially designed for gerbils) inside the cage so your gerbil can get necessary sleep. Rip, via e-mail

Dear Readers: Like humans, your older pets need regular checkups. Vets say that these examinations can pick up early cancers or other serious medical problems. Younger pets should be OK with an annual exam.

Before you choose a pet, keep in mind that veterinarian care is needed, and some pets require more care than others, so please research a breed first. Nothing is sadder than a pet not fitting into your home for whatever reason. Visit animal shelters — the right cat or dog might be waiting for you! Heloise

Dear Heloise: We go fishing at lakes and the coast. I want to share an important hint. When your dog goes with you, before it gets back into the truck, be sure to rinse it off with fresh water. This is especially important when in salt water. Our dog is definitely a coast boy, and doing this makes everyone happier — my dog, because he is rinsed off, and my husband, because sand isn’t tracked all over the truck! So, give it a try. Aubrey in Georgia

SBlt 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