Donate those extra veggies

Dear Readers: If your garden yield is too big for your personal use, consider donating extra vegetables and fruits to your city’s food bank to help the needy in your community. Give them a call. — Heloise

Adopt A Dog

Dear Readers: It’s time to celebrate shelter dogs. When you adopt a dog from a shelter, the staff can only approximate the age of the dog, so Aug. 1 is designated as the shelter dogs’ universal birthday for all.

To celebrate, take your dog to the park for a play date, throw a party at home or treat your dog to new toys, treats and a new, fluffy and comfy bed. — Heloise

P.S.: According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA.org), 1.6 million dogs are adopted from shelters every year. Let’s push for 2 million. Go find a friend!

Pet Pal

Dear Readers: Let’s meet a couple of shelter dogs here in the offices of Heloise, Inc.

Striking a pose are Duncan and Daisy, a sweet rat terrier and a sassy fawn chihuahua. To meet these two, visit Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

To find your own four-legged, furry forever friend, visit your local shelter or rescue group. Email a pic and description of your perfect pet to HeloiseHeloise.com. — Heloise

Off The Cuff

Dear Heloise: When I launder my cuffed shorts, I make sure to unroll them first. Crumbs and debris can accumulate in the folds of the cuffs. Then it’s an easy matter to recuff them. — Heidi in Tennessee

No Cheese Dip

Dear Heloise: Instead of cleaning gooey, messy cheese that has melted off burgers and onto my barbecue grill, I realized if I fold the corner of the cheese up into the center of the slice, then onto the burger, the mess is avoided altogether.

And perhaps the best part … nobody feels shorted of cheese. — Mike, via email

City Strolling

Dear Readers: Walking in the city on a summer’s evening is great exercise, but it must be done safely. According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA.gov), stay safe by:

■ Staying on the sidewalk, but if there’s no sidewalk, walk facing on-coming traffic.

■ Carrying a flashlight, ID and your cellphone.

■ Wearing bright or reflective clothing.

■ Crossing only in marked crosswalks and obeying traffic signals. — Heloise