Dog adoption option

Dear Heloise: Please let your readers know that another option for adopting a dog is through a rescue run by a purebred dog club. Contact information for the national purebred clubs can be found online. — Virginia C., Reading, Pa.

Virginia, I concur! Pretty much all breeds are represented by a rescue group. And who doesn’t want to give a second chance to a deserving dog? — Heloise

Pet Pal

Dear Heloise: I am a 4-month-old Irish Jack Russell terrier. I live in Houston, and my mommy (Gaye K.) wanted to share my new picture with you. — Sincerely, Maddy

Readers, to see Maddy and her Pet Pal friends, visit Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.” Do you have a furry and funny friend? Email a picture and description to HeloiseHeloise.com. — Heloise

Don’t Mess With Traditions

Dear Heloise: Each year, my family and I cherish the traditions of the season. We each contribute an ornament for the tree, usually handmade, but always with the date, and who made/donated it, written on it. We have ornaments that are over 50 years old! — Mary T. in Pennsylvania

Mary, wonderful! Fragrance can also spark memories. I like to make pomander balls:

I stick rows of whole cloves in fresh oranges and apples. Then I take one part orris root (available at some drugstores or online) and one part mixed spices, such as cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg, coat the fruit with it and leave for 10 days to two weeks.

I shake off the excess and wrap with a colorful ribbon. I hang these fragrant decorations in the kitchen and all over my home. — Heloise