HELOISE: Cleaning birdbath isn’t so difficult

Dear Heloise: Please recommend a good way to clean my birdbaths. Thank you.

David, via e-mail

Happy to oblige with an easy hint to help our feathered friends. You do want to keep the bath clean and algae-free, so birds can dip in and drink fresh water. Add a drop or two of dishwashing liquid and scrub the bath with a stiff brush. Rinse thoroughly.

If there is a buildup of algae, add chlorine bleach (in a ratio of 9 parts water to 1 part bleach) to the water and let soak for about 20 minutes. (Any longer will not do any better.) To ensure that no birds drop by for a swim, cover the bath during the bleaching process. After soaking, scrub the bath again with the stiff brush, carefully dump out the water and let the bath air-dry. Then fill with cold, fresh water.

The National Audubon Society suggests deep-cleaning birdbaths a couple of times a month and changing the water daily.

Heloise

Dear Readers: Ardis Hill of Colorado Springs, Colo., sent a photo of her dachshund, Henri, wrapped in the sleeve of a sweater. Ardis says: “Henri likes to stay warm and cozy. I found him the other day wrapped in the sleeve of my sweater getting warm. He’s such a precious pet and oh, so smart!”

To see Henri all wrapped up, visit www.Heloise.com.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Our daughter and son-in-law are expecting a baby. They have a cat that is very loving and extremely inquisitive. They are a little concerned about the cat and cat hair in the baby’s room and crib. My husband suggested they take down the conventional hallway door and install a full-length screen door so the cat can keep an eye on the baby and at the same time it can keep the cat out of the room.

Therese in Ohio

Hello, Heloise: I have a hint to share with you and your readers! When you take your pet to the vet for its annual checkup and are asked to bring a stool sample, use an old (cleaned) prescription bottle. I found out from my vet that they only need a little sample to test, not a bagful!

Kathy, Hooksett, N.H.

Dear Heloise: I always find a vet who offers 24-hour emergency care so the records are available and I don’t have to go far to a strange vet if there is a problem during off hours. I bring in my cat for a simple thing like a vaccination to check the place out and register as a client.

A Reader, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: Could you please remind your readers who have microchips in their pets that they should update contact information if they change phone numbers or move?

Larissa Taylor, Waterville, Maine

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate