Read the labels carefully on pet flea products

Dear Readers: Springtime brings warm days, beautiful flowers, birds chirping and, unfortunately, fleas. Discuss with your veterinarian flea control and prevention.

There are a lot of good flea medications on the market today, but read the labels carefully. Here are some hints to keep in mind: Never give flea meds indicated for dogs to cats. This can be deadly. Have the number of the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Animal Poison Control Center programmed into your phone, or written by the phone: 888426-4435

Use only one flea treatment (flea shampoo, drops, oral medications) at a time. Using more than one med on your pet could cause toxins to build up in the animal’s system.

Your source of information should be your veterinarian. There is so much you can find on the internet, and some of it is accurate, and some is not.

—Heloise

PET PAL Dear Readers: Norma in San Antonio sent a picture of her frosty-faced pit bull mix, Ruby.

Norma rescued Ruby off the streets, and boy, did Ruby hit the jackpot! She’s had a fabulous, spoiled life.

To see Ruby and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise. com, and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry and funny four-legged friend? Email a picture, name, age, breed and an amusing anecdote to Heloise@Heloise.com.—Heloise

TEACHING TIME Dear Heloise: I work part time as a substitute teacher in an elementary school. It saddens me to see bright 6- and 7-year-old kids who are having trouble doing simple math.

One pupil was having trouble counting by 10. To help at home, it would be a fun game while, say, preparing dinner to practice counting by 10 with Mom. And start with a number like 6: 6, 16, 26, 36, 46, etc.

I know that every family is different and time is at a premium, but this can be a fun way to teach your kids math.—Theresa J. in Texas GIFTS TO GIVE AGAIN Dear Heloise: When I mail packages to my parents, I stuff the packages with my kids’ homework papers as packing material.

Mom and Dad are happy to see what the kids are working on—math papers, writing compositions and art projects. The packing material is as fun as the package!—Donna R., Encino, Calif.

CAT CLEANER Dear Heloise: I’ve discovered that cat litter makes a great absorbent. I had a grease stain in my driveway and sprinkled some cat litter on it.

The stain was greatly reduced in just a couple of hours. I just sweep up the litter and dispose of it properly.—Amelia A. in Cleveland