Emotional support animals not protected by law

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I don’t like to see all these animals in the grocery store. One time I said something, and the person said, “I couldn’t leave the animal at home.”

I am allergic to animal fur and cannot find a store that doesn’t have people bringing their dogs.

These aren’t service dogs; they don’t have vests, nor are they trained. Are there rules about this?

— Roland D., Colorado Springs, Colorado

Roland, this subject is bound to get folks’ ire up. You may be describing an emotional support animal. ESAS provide comfort in a general sense, but because they don’t perform one designated task, they aren’t endorsed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and they can be denied admittance to food stores, restaurants and other establishments.

Service animals are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. A service animal is specifically trained to help someone with a medical condition, commonly blindness. These animals are allowed in restaurants, etc. Check out www.ada.gov for more information. — Heloise

Dear Readers: This time of year is a good time to repot houseplants, before the weather warms up and growth really takes off. Pick a pot that’s slightly larger than the current pot.

Begin fertilizing indoor plants now when you see new growth. — Heloise

Dear Heloise: I save my mascara brush. I use it to clean the holes in my hummingbird feeder! — Martha in Azusa, California

Martha, this is a great way to upcycle! These brushes can have strong bristles, sometimes of varying lengths. Other uses for the mascara wand:

• Brush eyebrows into place.

• Spray a bit of hair spray on the wand, and coax loose hairs back into a hair bun.

• Dedicate one to cleaning the computer keyboard.

— Heloise

Dear Heloise: It’s not uncommon for people to regret getting a tattoo. They should know that they will get the best results with a laser removal, but it will take more than one session, especially if there is color, such as green, red or yellow. Yes, it’s painful, due to the impact energy from the laser pulse, and laser removal can be quite expensive. Think before you ink! — Ginger H. in San Francisco

Dear Heloise: Please advise your readers to spend time decluttering their homes. My mother recently passed away, and my brother and I had to sort through stacks of papers, doll collections, six sets of china, more pots and pans than a restaurant would have and an assortment of other clutter collected over 46 years in the same house. Take a weekend to go through your home, room by room, and gather up items you don’t use, don’t need or don’t want, and then have a garage sale. Donate the rest to charities. — Donna L., Flatwoods, Kentucky

Heloise answers letters only in her King Features Syndicate column. Write her at P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 782795000 or send a fax to 1-210-HELOISE.