HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: I have Type 1 diabetes, and I have a service dog, a golden retriever named Gillespie, who is trained to detect when my blood sugar drops. He can sense the change due to the smell of my breath when I exhale, and he’s trained to nudge me with his nose and even alert someone else to my condition. He’s even trained to bring me my medications and my cellphone, too! If he didn’t help me out and alert me, I could faint and fall.

He’s helped me be more independent and active. My family worries less about me when Gillespie’s around. He’s not a replacement for caring for myself and managing my diabetes, but he’s a great companion and a big helper.

I’d advise your readers who are interested in a service dog for a medical condition like mine to talk to their doctors, get professional advice and go from there.

DEAR READERS: Spring’s the time to freshen up, and that includes your skin! Gentle exfoliation is a great way to remove winter’s dull cast on the complexion. And what do I love to use? It’s a household helper that is cheap, safe and readily available. Hmmm — what could I possibly be referring to? Why, yes, it’s baking soda!

To remove dull, dry skin cells, make a paste of baking soda and water, and gently rub on the skin, either face (avoid eye area) or body, in the shower. Rinse thoroughly.

FYI: For a refreshing bath, add ½ cup of baking soda to a full tub of water. Soak that stress and tension away!

DEAR READERS: A typical cat has 18 toes — five on each front paw and four on each hind paw. A polydactyl cat has extra toes — up to nine on each paw.

Extra toes are a genetic “flaw,” but it typically causes the cat no harm and can be a benefit — all the more toes to hunt, climb and play with.

And some fun facts: Novelist Ernest Hemingway was a “collector” of multi-toed cats, and nearly half of Maine Coon cats have extra toes.

DEAR READERS: Here are additional uses for canning jars:

■ Put a votive candle inside to use on picnic tables after sunset.

■ Fill with small toys and candies for a child at Easter.

■ Store pasta, candy or sugar.

■ Store small condiments in them for picnics.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email