Dental cleaning for pets
Dear Heloise: I’m scared — my Chihuahua is having a PROFESSIONAL DENTAL CLEANING soon. What can you tell me about this? — Heather R. in San Antonio
Heather, try not to worry. Here’s what happens during a professional cleaning: The veterinarian will first make sure your dog is healthy. Then your dog will undergo anesthesia, while being monitored at all times.
X-rays are taken to see if there are underlying problems. If a problem tooth is found? Measures can be taken, just like with our teeth.
You’re doing the right thing — a thorough cleaning can only be done at the veterinarian. Always ask the doctor any questions you have regarding medical procedures.
Give your little Chihuahua a big Heloise hug! — Heloise
Pet pal
Dear Readers: Kevin C., via email, sent a picture of Mac, his savedfrom-the-shelter cat, who likes to interrupt Kevin’s reading The (Fort Wayne, Ind.) Journal Gazette, including my column!
And then here comes Marlee, Mac’s older sister, also lying on the paper. Wife Marcia does cat adoptions as a volunteer every Thursday afternoon at Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control.
To see Mac and Marlee, visit www.Heloise.com, and click on “Pet of the Week.” — Heloise
Dog needs company
Dear Heloise: Dogs are pack animals. The worst thing in the world for a dog is to be alone; they love company.
Anyone who has a “problem” dog, get another dog! A dog alone all day long is lonely and sad. He needs company. — Pat in Hemet, Calif.
Name game
Dear Readers: We asked for some hints on naming your pets. Here are some responses:
“We name our dogs after our favorite sports teams. As a University of Oklahoma fan, we named our dog Boomer (from the OU chant ‘Boomer Sooner!’). We thought our dog was the only one until we went to the dog park. As we called ‘Boomer!’ seven dogs came running!” — OU Fan, via email
“Cats: I have had Pewter (solid gray) and Sweeney Todd (he tried to slash me when I put him in a carrier).” — J.J., via email
“I think a trend is naming a pet after a drink. My cousin named her orange cat after the orange-flavored Pimm’s. Another trend is giving your pet a rock band’s or star’s name, or a name from a popular song (like Zeppelin or ‘Maggie Mae’).” — Alma, via email
“Desert tortoise: Chomper!” — Dan C., Canyon Country, Calif.
Thanks for the feedback! — Heloise
Repurpose or recycle?
Dear Heloise: Settle an argument: Does using plastic grocery bags as trash-can liners count as recycling? It doesn’t go to recycling, but it saves a bag. — Joe P., via email
Joe, it’s not really recycling — it’s repurposing: to adapt an item for its new use. Lots of people use the plastic bags as can liners. It’s a great idea!
You also can return them to the store to be recycled, converting waste into a reusable item. Both are very useful endeavors! — Heloise
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.