HELOISE: Making a little quilt for your pet

Dear Heloise: Let me begin by saying that I enjoy your column. Our dog goes for grooming and comes back with a neckerchief each time. So, in a couple of years we’ve collected quite a variety. I was wondering what I could do with them.

Then I hit on the idea of making a little quilt for him. I took the neckerchiefs and cut squares or pieced them together (with the smaller ones to make the squares), used flannel for the backing and cotton batting to quilt. I sewed, edged and hand-stitched it. Then I took crochet yarn and stitched a knot in the center of each square. The quilt is really cute, and he sleeps on it at the foot of our bed.

Terry Clary, San Antonio

Terry, love this hint! How darling, and recycling, too! Who wouldn’t like his or her own quilt? Woof, woof!

Heloise

Dear Readers: Mel and Barbara Mosher of Amsterdam, N.Y., sent a photo of their miniature schnauzer, Abigail, with their daughter’s cocker spaniel, Zoe, standing at the top of the cellar stairs waiting for someone to come up.

To see the stair-watching duo, visit www.Heloise.com.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Thank you so much for the great advice on pet rabbits. I have had pet rabbits for many years. Here is a great tip: Rabbits are very sensitive to hot weather. I take half-gallon and gallon plastic milk jugs and fill them about three-quarters full with water, then freeze. I put the milk jug in my rabbit cage during the heat of the day. It’s an automatic air conditioner! My Miss Harold snuggles up against the frozen jug and stays very cool. She loves it!

Jenny in San Antonio

Dear Readers: Does your cat have long whiskers? Have you ever wondered if you should cut them?

Our research says do not cut or trim cat whiskers. They help cats gauge space so they can maneuver without bumping into things. The whisker length is determined by your cat’s body size. Small, thin cats usually have short whiskers, while a heftier one will have longer whiskers. So, don’t trim those whiskers!

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I read the hint on the large dog water bowls.

I have two granddogs, a boxer who is a therapy dog and a boxer mix. Both were adopted from the Nebraska Humane Society. I use the ceramic insert from a slow cooker as a water bowl. No way for them to carry it off, and they can’t chew it up.

Carol M., Omaha, Neb.

Dear Readers: When you buy a pet bird, be sure to check with your vet or the pet store about the appropriate food. Some birds eat fruit, some nuts, and others may prefer seeds. Find out which is right so your new pet gets the best diet.

Heloise

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