HELOISE: Make it a safe trip for your pets

Dear Heloise: I would like to applaud your advice to dog owners to apply the window lock when traveling with their dogs to ensure that the window doesn’t close on their pet.

I would like to take the suggestion a bit further. When driving, dogs should not be allowed to stick any part of their head out of the window. The danger to the animal is significant, both from flying objects as well as quick stops or accidents. There also are cases where dogs have jumped from moving vehicles to pursue squirrels or other critters. The best approach is to keep the animal fully in the vehicle in a protective crate or other appropriate travel restraint.

Curtis, via e-mail

“Woof, woof!” Cabbie, our miniature schnauzer, agrees, too. Although dogs like to stick their heads out, it’s up to us to keep them safe. Heloise

Dear Readers: We received a photo from Mary Cooper of Augusta, Maine. The photo showcases her backyard and the three ducks (a drake, with a green head, and two hens) that enjoy feeding underneath her bird feeders. She named the ducks “Nana’s.” They visit her every day, and she says she enjoys having them around!

To see Nana’s ducks, visit www.Heloise.com.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: To painlessly remove tar or pine pitch from a pet’s paws (my cat climbed a tree and got pine pitch on her coat), use salad oil. Just soak a spot on a folded paper towel, rub the area, then wipe dry with another paper towel or cloth. Voil ° — all the pitch was gone, and kitty and family both were happy!

Patty, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: Curious cats can climb into the washer and/or dryer. Please leave the doors of these appliances closed. Our cat was lost, and we ultimately found her in the washer. Check these machines if your indoor cat is missing. I don’t mind the cat sleeping on top of the dryer, because she likes the warmth of it and the rhythm of the humming dryer. I just make sure to keep the doors closed.

R.D. in Texas

Dear Heloise: In our home, we have three dogs and five dog beds. Dogs, as you know, shed, and the hair sticks to the dog beds. I used to wash and dry the beds, but they’d still have hair stuck to them.

Now, I toss them in the cold dryer for 20 minutes first, which knocks off the hair — it gets caught in the lint trap. By then, they’re ready for the washer, there’s hardly any hair on them, and when they’re finally dried, there’s none!

Elliott Mitchell, Nashville, Tenn.

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