HELOISE: Reader’s ‘copy cat’ caused a big bill

Dear Heloise: I enjoyed the picture of Murphy on the fax machine (a previous Pet Pal — Heloise). I would like to share my experience with my cat, Lizzy, lying on my copying machine. I went to my copier to make copies, and they were coming out light and missing sections of the print. Naturally, I suspected my ink cartridge and replaced it. But the copies looked the same.

I took the copier to an office-supply store to see what was wrong and if it could be fixed. I questioned the repairman about what the problem was. He laughed and said all he could find was a big gob of cat hair. I sure wasn’t laughing when I was handed a bill for $80. When I got home, I got a big towel and draped it over the machine. Lizzie can still lie and sleep on the copier, and I don’t have to worry about another big bill for repair.

Carole F. in Warriors Mark, Pa.

Dear Readers: Leo and LeEtta Waldhausen type their church’s bulletins and inserts. Their cat, Ke-ke, decided one day that she wanted to “help” by chasing the cursor around on the computer screen! To see Ke-ke “helping,” go to www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets.”

Heloise

Dear Readers: When stocking your home aquarium, even though it is tempting to do so, don’t use shells that you find on the beach. They can harbor bacteria that can harm your fish. Cleaning the shells will not help, either. Whatever landscape material you want for your aquarium is readily available from a large chain store or specialty fish shop.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I love dogs, and I had a picture of my favorite old pet, but although it was otherwise perfect, the “red-eye” spoiled it. Who hasn’t experienced that? I had an inspiration while looking at it and made a tough decision. I took a black permanent pen and very carefully put a small black dot in each eye. It worked! The picture is now perfect, and not even I would know the difference. Hope this helps someone else!

Wilson H. in Laredo, Texas

Dear Heloise: Please advise your readers to check with their veterinarian before chopping up their pet’s pills. This may be perfectly OK for some drugs, but dangerous for others. Sustained-release dosage types, for example, are designed to release their contents slowly over time. Chopping up the pill will likely cause too much of the drug to be released all at once.

A Reader, via e-mail

How right you are! That is why we always recommend checking with a veterinarian.

Heloise

Dear Readers: Is your dog’s belly relatively bare? That’s the perfect site for poison ivy to take hold. The remedy? If you suspect the dog has come into contact with poison ivy, wash the dog and yourself thoroughly with soap and water. Rinse completely.

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