Before taking a pet on a trip, give it some thought

Heloise

Dear Heloise: It’s tempting to bring along the family dog when visiting family and friends, because boarding a pet can get expensive.

Things to keep in mind while visiting with your pet:

1. Is your dog thoroughly housebroken? Foodaggressive or shy? Does your pet need to be crated if you go out?

2. Make sure your pet is welcome.

3. You are responsible for messes your pet makes.

4. Have copies of your pet’s vet records.

5. Make sure your pet is microchipped.

6. Bring your pet’s food with you.—

Dear Heloise: I discovered a cloudy haze on the inside of my car windshield. I tried commercial glass cleaner, only to smear the haze!

I thought, “I know what Heloise would suggest — vinegar!” I used white vinegar with a microfiber cloth and then wiped the windshield again with plain water. It worked perfectly — the haze was gone!

Janene, isn’t vinegar a dream? It’s cheap, available, nontoxic and safe, and I’ve used it throughout my career.

Dear Heloise: To your readers: Please think about what size an outdoor plant will become, and plant accordingly.

That little tree will become a 50-foot giant that will cover your neighbor’s roof.

The vine will find its way to your neighbor’s eaves.

The creeping ground cover will creep its way over to your neighbor’s yard.

Anything deciduous will shed its leaves.

I write this out of personal experience and frustration.

Dear Heloise: I am a trash collector for my planet. A common thing found on our beach: cigarette butts.

As I walk my dogs, I use their doggie bags to pick up cigarette butts. I’m planning to get tin buckets to fill with sand, and I’ll attach a laminated sign: “Put your butts here — save the planet.”

Dear Heloise: I have hand soap and paper towels handy in the kitchen as well as the bathroom. I purchase pretty patterned paper towels that add color.

I’ve been doing this for years, and it prevents the spreading of germs from everyone using the same towel.

People tell me that they wash their towels all the time, but it only takes one ill person to wipe his or her mouth or hands on the community towel.

Dear Heloise: Every day, my wife changes the sugar water in the hummingbird feeder. The problem is wasps. They like to go there as well, and they scare the hummingbirds away.

I have a wasp trap, and the top part is supposed to hold water. I poured the dayold sugar water in there. It worked! I think the hummingbirds are happy! Heloise answers letters only in her King Features Syndicate column. Write her at P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 782795000 or send a fax to 1-210-HELOISE.