What time is it, Fido?
Dear Heloise: Can dogs tell time? — Jessie S., age 12, Rockport, Texas
Jessie, dogs react to the circadian rhythm, the pattern of light and dark over the course of a day, and this is how they “tell time.”
Keeping your dog on a schedule is important. Meals, walks and playtime should be at the same time each night; this is another way the dog will know what time it is.
Studies have also shown that the longer you’re away from your dog, the more excited your pet is to see you! — Heloise
PET PAL
Dear Readers: If you want to learn how to relax, Teresa A., via email, says to get a cat!
Tigger is entertaining and loves giving hugs. He showed up at her house one day, and he rescued her.
To see Tigger and our other Pet Pals, visit www. Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.” Do you have a furry and funny friend? Email a picture and description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Dear Heloise: I know that the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-8225) is becoming more well known, but if someone is like me and prefers texting to talking, or finds themselves unable to talk, they can text “HOME” to 741741 (Crisis Text Line).
I have found this helpful on several occasions when I felt alone or was thinking dark thoughts. I hope this helps someone else. — Kerri, via email
Kerri, I’m sure this will. Thanks for the great resource! — Heloise
CART CONVERSATION
Dear Heloise: Please do not encourage people to leave shopping carts in or adjacent to handicapped-accessible spaces, as a reader did in a recent column. Individuals totally dependent on wheelchairs and walkers need more space to enter and exit their vehicles.
This is especially true for individuals with wheelchair-accessible vans. For these individuals, the additional clearance provided in handicappedaccessible parking spaces is a necessity, and is lost when littered with shopping carts. — Mary F., via email
Mary, thanks for your input. We all need to consider this. Readers, here’s another letter on this issue. — Heloise
“Dear Heloise: In response to the reader who couldn’t find a cart at the market: I talked to my store’s manager, and he gave me the store phone number to put in my phone.
“Whenever I go shopping, I give the store a call and tell them where I’m parked (usually in the handicapped-accessible slot), and they bring me a cart immediately.” — S.C., Sun Valley, Calif.
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.