HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: Is your dog around other dogs quite a bit? He could be exposed to kennel cough. Highly contagious, kennel cough is a lung disease; your dog will have a terrible “honking” cough, no appetite, a runny nose, no energy and a fever.

It is treatable, but how about an immunization against kennel cough to prevent it in the first place? Ask your veterinarian about the Bordetella vaccine, a oncea-year shot to prevent kennel cough.

The Bordetella vaccine may be required if you are boarding your dog, if you take your dog to the dog park or if you have your dog enrolled in obedience classes.

If your pet is around other dogs, the veterinarian should agree on the need to be protected against kennel cough!

DEAR HELOISE: We have old wrought-iron patio chairs, and they used to leave rust stains on the concrete patio. I put plastic bottle tops under the legs, and no more rust stains!

— Barry M., Manchester, N.J.

DEAR HELOISE: I keep hair spray out of my ears by putting on a pair of earmuffs. I keep an extra pair that fit around the back of the head right with my hair spray.

— Lori B. in Iowa

DEAR HELOISE: I hate aggressive driving. My insurance company provided me some hints to drive safely and avoid conflict on the road. Here are some things they advised:

Don’t tailgate.

Don’t drive too slowly in the left lane.

Don’t cut someone off. Use bright headlights sparingly, if at all.

If somebody wants a parking space, relent.

Politeness and patience win out. If I think someone is following me, the insurance people say to drive to a police station, never to my home.

— Nancy C. in Florida

DEAR HELOISE: I reuse my single-use coffee pods to start seeds. I rinse them and poke more holes in them, and put one seed in each one.

— Jo Ann D., via email

DEAR READERS: Want a quick and easy manicure? Wash and dry your nails thoroughly, and gently push back your cuticles with the towel.

Grab a clear nail polish — it’s the most forgiving (application doesn’t have to be perfect), and it gives a lovely sheen to the nails.