Dear Heloise: We live in the country, so when my husband and I go shopping, we stop at the thrift store or dollar store and stock up on all kinds of GREETING CARDS. When I have a grandkid who has a birthday or some other event, I don’t have to rush out and spend tons of money on gasoline for a greeting card.
If this can be helpful to anyone, I’m delighted. -- Jeanne C., Comptche, Calif.
Stocking up on greeting cards from a dollar store saves you money and stress, because you will always have a card handy. -- Heloise
PET PAL
Dear Readers: Mary P. in Huntsville, Ala., sent in a picture of her miniature Maltese, Diva Marie, sitting on an antique dresser. Mary says that Diva Marie gets mistaken for a toy dog! To see Diva Marie and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets.” -- Heloise
HEFTY HOUNDS
Dear Heloise: We are “parents” to two small dogs. Each weighed about 8 pounds when we got them last spring. Now they weigh 11 pounds and 12 pounds. My husband feeds them treats all day long and from the table. They never touch their dog food. I can’t convince him that he is killing them and along the way ruining the joints in their legs. I know you are an animal lover, so I hope you can help. -- Barbara in Alabama
Barbara, yes, I’m an animal lover! It is important that dogs eat foods formulated specifically for them, and not too much. Eating too many treats (they are called treats for a reason!) can lead to obesity, as most commercial treats you buy are very high in calories!
“People food” is often high in fat, which can lead to a number of health problems (pancreatitis is one) and even death. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.aspca.org) has information on this “tubby” topic.
Please work with your husband to wean your dogs off excess treats and table scraps. Also look for a top-quality, gravy-type dog food, which can make dry dog food taste better. Switch to healthy treats like small pieces of carrots, etc. Remember, your pet cannot open the refrigerator door or order fast food for itself. You are responsible for what your pet eats. Good luck, and thanks for writing! -- Heloise
EASY CLEAN
Dear Heloise: I read your hints in the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal every day. We live in a home with 12-foot ceilings and walls in the entry. I could never dry-mop the ceilings and wall with my mop without using a ladder, plus the mop handle was always coming unscrewed. We have several of the extendable paint poles, and I decided to try using one of them as a handle. Well, it worked like a charm! I saved money by using what we had at home. -- Dianne Kenny, Hot Springs, S.D.
Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. Please include your city and state.
2012, King Features Syndicate
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