HELOISE: Pick toy bunnies or chicks for Easter

Dear Readers: Always around Easter time, we see vendors selling adorable baby chicks and bunnies. They are cute and cuddly, but they aren’t really good pets, especially for young children. And it’s illegal in many areas. Don’t give in! Babies are cute but will grow up and then may not seem as cuddly!

Many times, rescue groups are overloaded with bunnies that were bought for Easter without the owners realizing the responsibility and care these animals require. Baby chicks often don’t live long, because they aren’t treated as carefully as they should be.

Another caution about baby chicks is the threat of salmonella bacteria. Anyone who comes in contact with chicks should immediately wash his or her hands with soap and water.

Did you know that rabbits can live up to 10 years? They require vet visits, nail trims and a specific diet. So, thought must be put into bringing a bunny into your home.

Buy toy bunnies or chicks, and chocolate ones would be a better choice. Who doesn’t love chocolate?

If you do decide to buy a live pet, please research carefully so you will know everything needed to provide a good home. It deserves the best care possible.

Heloise

Dear Readers: Rose Chaffins of Sidney, Ohio, sent us a picture of her beautiful sheltie, Lucy. Lucy is standing on the patio with a well-worn and well-played-with watering can in her mouth, eager to “help” water the lawn and flowers for spring! To see Lucy and our other Pet Pals, go to www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets.”

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I read your article in the San Antonio Express-News the other day about dog leashes. I thought you should know what has happened to our beagle Peggy Sioux.

Peggy was making a guttural sound deep down in her throat and panting very hard. We got her to the vet the next day, and he took X-rays and found she had chest congestion and a collapsed trachea. It seems that she has always pulled on her leash. We now have a harness for her and our Boston terrier, too.

Heloise Sanders, Brady, Texas

Dear Heloise: Our dog had stitches in his leg. We found it impossible to keep a bandage wrapped around it. So I got some old socks that didn’t have any mates, cut the toe out of one of them and slid it up his leg. The elastic held it on securely. I also went to the dollar store and purchased some newer socks and used them (the elastic was better).

Delores in Salem, Ore.

Dear Heloise: When my cat goes to her water bowl, she very daintily dips her paw into it and sips from her paw. When I notice her right paw is wet, I know where she’s been!

Elsie in Florida

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