HELOISE: Adopt an older pooch at shelter

Dear Readers: With the economy still in the dumps, dogs are being given up all across the country, so if you are looking to bring one into your home, visit a shelter. While some dogs may be older, they just might make great pets. Older pooches have many benefits: Most are already house-trained, and they are full-grown, so no guessing if they are going to get bigger! Depending on age and breed, they can be less active and are usually more relaxed. They just may fit into your household without a lot of fuss.

If you already have a dog or two, the new addition will usually figure out the pecking order — unlike a puppy, which may want to run the place and be Alpha Dog.

When you bring your dog home from a shelter:

Try to be with your new dog as much as possible on the first day or two to help ease it into its new environment.

Get everyone in the family on board with behavior and training.

Establish a routine for eating and exercise. Give your dog time to adjust.

Let your dog develop a sleeping pattern and find its own place to sleep, or make a safe and cozy spot with a special towel, blanket or pillow.

Give it lots of positive reinforcement. Make your new dog feel safe and loved in its new home.

Heloise

Dear Readers: Jamie L. Mitchell of Waterville, Maine, sent a photo of her two cats — Miss Shani, a tortoiseshell Persian, and Toby Tyler, a beautiful, white boy — lounging on a bed. Jamie says, “Both of the cats are rescues, and they are very devoted to each other.” To see the cat duo, visit www.Heloise.com.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I use detergent bottles with the spouts for filling bird feeders. The spouts can be popped out. Give the bottles a good cleaning, and make sure they are dry. Fill with birdseed, put the spouts back in, and use to fill backyard bird feeders. The spouts make them an easy pour. This also recycles these types of containers.

Laura in New Jersey

Dear Heloise: I have two large dogs, and it is really hard keeping a water bowl outside, because they chew up the plastic ones and the metal ones get too hot. My daughter solved my problem by suggesting I use an old, small ice cooler. I removed the lid and filled it with water. It’s too thick for them to chew up, and it keeps the water cooler because it is insulated.

Susan Frison, Fayetteville, N.C.

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