Tips to have healthy pet in the new year
Dear Readers: New year, new “leash” on life. Let’s look at what we can do to keep our pets safe and healthy in 2020:
1. Microchip. Make sure it’s up to date. Collars and ID tags can break or fall off.
2. Spaying and neutering. The stray animal population is much too high.
3. Shots. Diseases such as distemper and parvovirus are preventable with vaccines. Also inquire about booster shots.
4. An all-over physical, sometimes called a wellness exam. Don’t wait until your pet is ill.
5. Dental health. Don’t you hate having a toothache? Your pet does too, so get the teeth checked at least once a year.
6. Finally, fleas and ticks. Your pet should be on a yearround preventive medicine.
Visit with the veterinarian in order to keep your pets in tiptop shape.
— Heloise
Pet pal
Dear Readers: Meet Cuan. Owners Robert and Marilyn in Papillion, Nebraska, caught sheltie Cuan in a big smile.
To see Cuan and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise. com and click on “Pet of the Week.” Do you have a funny and furry friend you’d like to share? Send a picture and description to Heloise@Heloise.com.
— Heloise
Good point
Dear Heloise: More households are buying almond, soy, cashew and coconut milks in the half-gallon cartons with plastic lids on the side of the cartons. These lids are generally not recyclable because they pose a health threat of eye injury when they go through the machines in recycling centers.
My family goes through about five cartons a week, and by the end of the year we have trashed 260 plastic lids. Please advise manufacturers that we are perfectly able to open cartons at the top ends like we did for decades, before they decided plastic lids provided easier access. If we want to be environmentally friendly, can we start with the small, attainable things?
— Bernie S., Colorado Springs, Colorado Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.