Of dogs and wolves
DEAR READERS >>
DOGS AND WOLVES are the same species (Canis), but the dog has been domesticated. What are the differences between a dog, such as a husky, and a wolf? Let’s take a look:
EARS: The dog’s ears are big, compared with his head, and the tips of the ears are pointed. The wolf’s ears are smaller and more rounded.
EYES: The dog’s eyes don’t slant, and they can be blue. The wolf’s eyes can slant inward and down.
CHEST: The dog’s chest is wide; the legs are far apart. The feet don’t turn outward. The wolf’s chest is super narrow; the legs are closer together, and the feet may splay out.
TAIL: The dog’s tail will usually curl upward when running. The wolf’s tail has a dark spot on it where the scent gland is. The dog has no scent gland spot.
DEAR READERS >>
Again with our opossum parade! Meet Soupy, short for Marsupial. Grandma W. sent a picture of Soupy; she raised him from a baby after the veterinarian advised that Soupy couldn’t survive on his own.
Soupy is gentle, sweet and trusting, and one of her most delightful pets. And he was easy to housebreak! Grandma W. says that opossums ARE wild animals, but they are also misunderstood.
To see Soupy and our other Pet Pals, visit Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.” Do you have a funny and furry friend? Email Heloise@Heloise.com with a picture and description.
DEAR READERS >>
How do you thoroughly clean your dishwasher? Remove the racks and set them aside. Inspect the jets for gunk, food buildup and other yuckiness. Use a toothpick to pick out the debris. Wipe out the interior with soapy water and a sponge or paper towel. Then add my glorious go-to, vinegar! Pour 2 cups in the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run the short cycle. In the middle of the cycle, pause the machine and let the vinegar go to work to break apart any remaining mess. Restart and complete the cycle, and the dishwasher will be sparkling clean.
Vinegar is a workhorse around the home. Cheap, readily available and safe, I reach for it time and again. I’ve compiled a collection of my favorite vinegar hints and recipes into a handy pamphlet. Would you like to receive one? It’s easy. Visit Heloise.com to order, or send a stamped (70 cents), long, selfaddressed envelope, along with $5, to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 782795001. You also can freshen your washing machine by adding a generous splash or two of vinegar and running a small-load (no clothes) cycle.
DEAR HELOISE >> As I get older, my toenails are thicker and harder to cut. While I shower, I close the tub stopper and let my feet soak. Then my nails are easier to cut. — Marion D., Harvey Cedars, N.J. Write to Heloise at P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 782795000; Fax 210-HELOISE; or email Heloise@Heloise.com.