Begging off
Dear Heloise: How can I stop my dog from BEGGING AT THE TABLE? — Jan B. in Kansas
Jan, this is a timely question, with Thanksgiving here and Christmas around the corner — lots of big meals and family and folks around. Here are some Heloise hints and hints from the American Kennel Club (www.AKC. org) to help:
■ Make sure the dog is fed before you and your family eat.
■ Playtime and exercise beforehand helps too, and then the dog should rest in his bed.
■ Although it’s really difficult, IGNORE the dog. If you give in, you’ve lost the battle, and if you scold the dog, that won’t get you anywhere either.
Remember, “people food” is typically too high in fat, salt and other spices, sugar and calories for dogs to eat. A few small pieces of raw carrot or green bean in the supper dish is an OK treat. -Heloise
PET PAL
Dear Readers: Meet Goose, Maverick and Cougar. They certainly run a tight ship for owners Jeff and Dagmar T. in Dayton, Ohio! Cougar is the information management specialist.
To see these crazy cats, visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.” Do you have furry and funny friends? Email a picture and description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise
VINEGAR TO THE RESCUE
Dear Heloise: How can I remove the white film that forms on glasses after they have been washed in the dishwasher?
Thank you! — Nancy in Youngstown, Ohio
Nancy, soak the glasses in warmed vinegar, then rub them with a plastic brush or scrubbie. This will help remove hardwater buildup. Vinegar is my handy go-to helper in every room of the house. It is cheap, safe and readily available. I’ve compiled a collection of my triedand-true vinegar hints in a handy pamphlet. Would you like to receive one? It’s easy. Visit www.Heloise.com to order, or send a stamped (70 cents), selfaddressed, long envelope, along with $5, to: Heloise/ Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 782795001. Mix a bit of baking soda in with hot vinegar for amped-up cleaning power! It will bubble! — Heloise
FLOWER POWER
Household Hints
Dear Readers: Would you like fresh flowers in your home at Christmastime? Start now by planting some bulbs.
My favorites include amaryllis, hyacinth and narcissus. For amaryllis, plant the bulb in rich, moist potting soil. Leave the top third of the bulb exposed. The blooms will be a variety of colors, either one large bloom or several small ones.
Narcissus and hyacinth can actually be grown without soil. You can use pebbles and water. Hyacinth, with beautiful and fragrant pink, white or blue blooms, grows in a special glass container that holds one bulb.
Narcissi also come in a variety of colors and sizes. Their flowers are small, super-fragrant and starshaped. The “paperwhite” variety is especially beautiful and popular. — Heloise
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.