Holiday pet precautions
Dear Readers: How can we keep our pets safe around our HOLIDAY DECORATIONS? Here are a few suggestions:
■ Live plants such as holly and mistletoe can be ingested and cause stomach upset. Artificial plants are a better bet.
■ Don’t hang shimmery tinsel. It catches the light, but cats like to catch it, too, and may ingest it, which can cause digestive problems.
■ Make sure the Christmas tree is secure and can’t be knocked over and fall on your pets.
■ Real candles are an accident waiting to happen — look for flameless candles.
■ Be vigilant for loose wires and broken glass ornaments.
Holiday fun and safety for your pets can go together! — Heloise
P.S. Fatty, spicy, rich, sugary foods and alcohol are not healthy and should be kept away from pets.
Pet pal
Dear Readers: Tina F., via email, sent a picture of her Sargent — a dachshund and poodle mix (“doodle”?). He is 4 years old and jealous; Tina’s husband can’t even hug her! To see Sargent and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.” — Heloise
Man about the house?
Dear Heloise: When my mother was older and living alone, she came up with an excellent security idea. She went to the thrift store and bought a used pair of size 16 or 18 tennis shoes.
She got them a little dirty and left them on the porch outside her door. Anyone seeing them would hesitate before bothering her. — Jim B., Dana Point, Calif.
Brilliant! A Heloise hug is in order! — Heloise
Supper serenade
Dear Heloise: My wife and I enjoy going out for a date to a classy restaurant. Lately, we have been “serenaded” by the screams of at least one or more small children.
I suggested to the management that when families with children arrive, they should place them in the back area of the restaurant, away from the rest of the diners.
They tell me they can’t do that. What can we do? — Robin and Diane M., Riverside, Calif.
Perhaps a call to a district manager could yield some solutions. Readers? — Heloise
Get along swimmingly
Dear Heloise: I have a surefire way to cut onions without tears: Before you start cutting onions, put on swim goggles. I don’t mind looking a bit silly because I don’t have any tears! — T.L., Omaha, Neb.
Spirit spots
Dear Readers: In need of some holiday cheer? Perhaps a visit to these places is in order:
■ Garland, Texas
■ Santa Claus, Indiana ■ Eggnog, Utah
■ Partridge, Kansas Not feeling it? Head over to Humbug, Arizona! — Heloise
Hair helper
Dear Heloise: I have another use for baking soda. I take aqua yoga classes at the local community center, and I noticed my hair had a buildup. When I went for a haircut, the beautician told me it was chlorine.
She told me to add a bit of baking soda to my shampoo. I did, and no more chlorine buildup. I color my hair, and it didn’t affect it. — Maryann G., via email
Household Hints
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, 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.