HELOISE: Have doves? Let us know

Dear Readers: Did you know that what many people call white “doves” are actually domestic homing pigeons, also known as rock doves, and that pigeons and doves are part of the same bird family?

Homing pigeons are very intelligent and are able to find their way home from long distances using Earth’s magnetic field. Thus the “homing pigeons” name!

There are companies that are experts in dove releases for all occasions. You should use these bird professionals for your wedding or other event. You can choose from a single bird to several to be released! The doves are fed a particular diet so they won’t “be messy” for the event.

They can only be let go outdoors, and should be released well before sunset, although they can find their way home after dark, if trained to do so.

The doves make a lovely display at a reception. They most likely will primp, preen and cuddle with each other in a pretty cage. When released outdoors, the doves will circle above to get oriented, and then head home. They should not be released indoors, and they should not be part of any food display, such as a fake wedding cake tier.

I would love to hear from readers who have doves as pets or those who have had a good experience with them at a wedding. E-mail Heloise@Heloise.com, and please put “doves” in the subject line.

Heloise

Dear Readers: My friends Larry and Sandi have a 10-year-old German shorthaired pointer, Hurricane Hannah. I ran into all three of them while at the pet-food store getting a rawhide chewy for Cabbie, our mini schnauzer. They had Hurricane Hannah with them, and as a joke I bought Hannah a 3-foot-long rawhide chewy. The photo they sent shows Hannah carrying it around — it looks like she has a dinosaur leg bone in her mouth!

To see Hannah and her special treat, visit www.Heloise.com.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I saw the item about two kittens tearing the gauze under the box springs and one of them getting gauze caught around his neck, and I wanted to share a helpful hint.

I have cats, and the gauze under the box springs seldom survives for very long. To keep kittens from getting trapped or hurt, I used a fitted sheet to cover the bottom of the box springs. Put it on upside down so that the sheet covering is toward the floor. The kittens can’t tear it, and everyone is safe and happy.

Jackie Matlock, Fort Worth, Texas

Dear Heloise: My little dog Ram-Beaux has lots of toys, and my house looks like I have 12 kids! I bought a basket and put all his toys inside. He climbs inside and takes out the one he wants, and he has been known to climb in for a snooze.

K.M., via e-mail

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