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Dear Heloise: We are in the holiday season and closing in on a new year. Maybe this is as good a time as any to make amends where it needs to be made, to help someone less fortunate or to adopt a homeless animal from the shelters or one who lives on the street.
Let's stop and put a couple of dollars in the cups of those who silently sit on our streets with signs as they battle the cold weather and struggle with their mental health. They may have lost their job or their home, but that is the least of their problems. So many have lost all hope.
It's time to make a telephone call to the people we've missed or who miss us. There are so many times an encouraging word makes all the difference in someone else's life.
It's not too late to get involved in doing our part to save the planet. Recycle and reuse items; contribute to worthy causes that touch your heart; and remember that we are the only guardians of this planet. We need to clean it up, not use it up, before we hand it off to the next generation.
It's a perfect time for governments all over the world to come together and put aside their differences. Life may not be easy, but it can get better if each of us do our part to improve the planet and stretch out a helping hand to those in need.
Even under the best of circumstances, it really is a short life. Make yours count. Making a difference in someone's life or with a cause you feel passionate about is important.
Have a very merry holiday season, and best wishes to all in the coming new year. -- Naomi D., Fayetteville, North Carolina
TOOTHPASTE AND DOGS
Dear Heloise: A recent column listed some ideas of things to clean with toothpaste. I just found my toothpaste contains xylitol, which can be fatal to dogs if they ingest even a trace of it. If a dog ingests a used piece of chewing gum that contains xylitol, it can suffer from severe seizures and sudden death. As I was reading your hint, I thought of all the places my dog might find it interesting to lick if she realized that I had used toothpaste to clean the wall or anywhere else in her environment. Please put this information out. It could save someone's pet. -- Patty Ehrle, via email